Background Art It is recognised that predatory fish are attracted by the sight of, and vibrations generated by, bait fish, especially when bait fish are swimming as a group or school. Existing inventions directed towards exploiting this behaviour are typically reliant on the provision of a plurality of reflective surfaces, and are adapted to be trolled or suspended to produce a series of intermittent flashes. It is one object of the present invention to provide a fish attractant composition that mimics the behaviour of a school of bait fish and that may be utilised in the manner of a conventional berley.

Further, whilst the use of fish attractant compositions, or berley, in angling is known, known compositions including fish oils, pollard and processed or whole fish have an unpleasant odour associated therewith. This, combined with the adhesive consistency of conventional berley serves as a deterrent to its storage and its use. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fish attractant composition of substantially improved odour and improved handling properties relative to conventional berley.

Additionally, known fish attractants may be difficult to deliver in quantity to a desired location. For example, when fishing from the beach, it is often necessary to deliver the fish attractant beyond the breaking waves. Existing devices, such as berley cages, make this possible for small quantities of attractant, but do not allow the creation of a large trail of attractant, or'slick'. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fish attractant with properties rendering it readily deliverable to a desired location in larger quantities than is presently possible.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise"or variations such as"comprises"or"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with the present invention there is provided a fish attractant composition comprising an effervescent component and a binding component, wherein the effervescent component generates a gas on contact with water and the binding component maintains the composition as a single mass.

The bubbles of gas generated by the effervescent component mimics the vibrations and appearance of a school of bait fish.

In one form of the invention, the effervescent component comprises an acidic agent and a metal carbonate or bicarbonate or hydrogencarbonate. In a highly preferred form of the invention, the effervescent component comprises an acidic agent and sodium bicarbonate or hydrogencarbonate.

Preferably, the acidic agent is solid at ambient temperatures. Preferably still, the acidic component is an organic acid. Conveniently, the acidic agent is selected from oxalic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid. In a highly preferred form of the invention, the acidic agent is citric acid.

Preferably, the ratio of the acidic agent to the metal carbonate or bicarbonate is approximately stoichiometric.

Preferably, the binding component is provided in the form of an oil and a solidifying agent, wherein the solidifying agent interacts with the oil to solidify the resulting mixture. In a highly preferred form of the invention, the solidifying agent comprises one or both of the acidic agent and the metal carbonate or bicarbonate.

Conveniently, the oil comprising the binding component also possesses fish attractant properties. Preferably, the oil of the binding component is provided in the form of fish oil.

Where the oil of the binding component is fish oil, and the acidic agent and solidifying component is provided in the form of citric acid, approximately 4 to 5 mL of fish oil are required for each 10 g of citric acid.

Preferably, the fish attractant composition further comprises a berley component, the berley component acting as a conventional fish attractant. The berley component may comprise one or more of pollard, fish pellets, whole or processed baitfish, whole or processed squid or other cephalopod, whole or processed prawns or other crustacea, or other known fish attractants. Desirably, the fish attractant composition comprises pollard, fish pellets, whole or processed baitfish, and one or more of whole or processed squid or other cephalopod, whole or processed prawns or other crustacea.

The bubbles of gas produced by the effervescent component assist in the distribution of berley cornponent, as well as providing a visual cue by which an angler may assess the extent of the distribution of the berley component.

Preferably, the fish attractant composition further comprises one or more chemical fish attractants. In one form of the invention the fish attractant composition comprises aniseed extract.

Preferably, the fish attractant composition of the present invention comprises between about 20 to 80% by mass berley component and between about 80 to 20% by mass acidic agent, oil, solidifying agent and metal carbonate or bicarbonate. Preferably still, the fish attractant composition of the present invention comprises between about 40 to 60% by mass berley component and

between about 60 to 40% by mass acidic agent, oil, solidifying agent and metal carbonate or bicarbonate. Further and still preferably, the fish attractant composition of the present invention comprises approximately 50% by mass berley component and approximately 50% by mass acidic agent, oil, solidifying agent and metal carbonate or bicarbonate.

In a specific form of the invention, the fish attractant composition comprises sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, fish oil, aniseed extract, pollard, fish pellets and one or more of pollard, fish pellets, whole or processed baitfish, whole or processed squid or other cephalopod, whole or processed prawns or other crustacea.

In a highly specific form of the invention, the fish attractant composition comprises sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, fish oil, aniseed extract, pollard, fish pellets and one or more of whole or processed baitfish, whole or processed squid or other cephalopod, whole or processed prawns or other crustacea in the following approximate quantities or ratios thereof: sodium bicarbonate 1 kg; citric acid 0.5 kg; fish oil 200 mL; pollard 0.5 kg; fish pellets 0.5 kg; aniseed extract 10 mL ; and whole or processed baitfish, squid or prawns 0.2kg.

The fish attractant composition may further comprise one or more colorants.

The fish attractant composition may further comprise a plurality of small portions of reflective material. In one form of the invention, the fish attract composition further comprises a plurality of sequins.

Best Mode (s) for Carrying Out the invention The fish attractant composition will now be described with reference to two examples thereof. The example should not be seen as in any way limiting the generality of the above description.

Example 1 In accordance with the embodiment, there is provided a fish attractant composition comprising an effervescent component, a binding component, a berley component and a chemical fish attractant. The effervescent component in turn comprises an acidic agent in the form of citric acid, and a metal carbonate or bicarbonate in the form of sodium bicarbonate. The binding component in turn comprises an oil, in the form of fish oil and a solidifying agent in the form of the aforementioned citric acid. The berley component in turn comprises pollard, fish pellets and one or more of whole or processed baitfish, whole or processed squid, whole or processed prawns. The chemical fish attractant is provided in the form of aniseed extract.

The sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, fish oil, aniseed extract, pollard, fish pellets and one or more of whole or processed baitfish, whole or processed squid or other cephalopod, whole or processed prawns or other crustacea of the fish attractant composition are provided in the following approximate quantities or ratios thereof: sodium bicarbonate 1 kg; citric acid 0.5 kg; fish oil 200 mL; pollard 0.5 kg; fish pellets 0.5 kg; aniseed extract 10 mL; and whole or processed baitfish, squid or prawns 0.2kg.

In use, the components of 1/ne fish attractant composition are mixed, divided into conveniently sized portions, and allowed to solidify. Once solidified, the fish attractant composition is relatively odourless and is readily cleanly handled.

These properties of the fish attractant composition are desirable for both storage and use.

Typically, each portion is dimensioned to facilitate throwing of such to a desired location. The density of the fish attractant composition is such that a portion the size of a tennis ball may be readily and accurately thrown considerable distances by an experienced user (not shown).

When required, the user simply throws the solidified portion of the fish attractant composition to the desired location. On contact with water, the citric acid and sodium bicarbonate interact to release carbon dioxide gas, thereby generating an effervescent effect. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the vibration and reflections off the bubbles so formed mimic the activity of a school of baitfish and serve as an attractant.

The bubbles also serve to more effectively disburse the berley component, the oil of the binding component and the chemical fish attractant thereby allowing the creation of a large trail of attractant, or'slick'. Unused portions of the fish attractant composition may be conveniently stored for later use without releasing unpleasant odours.

Example 2 The fish attractant composition of the second example is substantially identical to that of the first example, save for the inclusion of a plurality of small reflective elements in the form of sequins therein. The sequins are combined with the other components of the fish attractant composition before solidification of such.

In use, the fish attractant composition of the second example is substantially identical to the first example. However, the bubbles generated by the effervescent component also serve to distribute the sequins in a substantially

random manner, thereby more accurately mimicking the appearance of a school of baitfish, and attracting predatory fish reliant on visual cues.

It is envisaged that different colorants may be included in the fish attractant composition to denote different compositions thereof. For example, one colorant might be added to indicate that the fish attractant composition includes squid, a different colorant to indicate that the fish attractant composition includes baitfish etc.

It is further envisaged that portions of the fish attractant composition may be placed in containers whilst the fish attractant composition is still in a fluid state, said containers serving both to determine the shape of the solidified fish attractant composition and as a storage container for such.

It is further envisaged that portions of the fish attractant composition may be dimensioned so as to be readily inserted into a standard, commercially available berley cage or basket.

It is further envisaged that portions of the fish attractant composition may be moulded into a large block, intended for use in deep-sea fishing, and adapted to be effective from between about 2 to 4 hours.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.