So, why are trotlines named trotlines? Trotlines are a part of Ozarks fishing tradition, and we can guess that the activity got its name from there. The word “trot” describes their way of fishing because they used horses to pull the lines.
What do you need to build a trotline?
What You Will Need:
- 500-1200 ft of main line
- 4 sections of connection line
- 2 anchors
- 2 buoys
- 2 sets of 2-3 feet galvanized chain links
- 8 (or 6 or 4) brass snap swivels
- 100-250 ft (max) of bungee/shock cord for snood fabrication
- 60-150 ft (max) of fuel line hose also for snood fabrication
- A good amount of patience and build time
How do you set up a trout line?
Trout Fishing Rig & Line Setup: Complete Guide
- All you need to know about Trout Fishing Rig & Line Setup. ...
- Setting Up a Trout Fishing Rig. Once you get a general idea of what the trout fish is like, your task of catching a fine specimen successfully becomes much easier.
- Tips for Trout Fishing. ...
- Conclusion. ...
What does it mean to run a trotline?
Likewise, what does it mean to run a trotline? "Run" your line frequently; the longer a fish stays on the line, the more likely it is to escape. PHOTO: MOTHER EARTH NEWS STAFF. A trotline is basically a setline with multiple hooks that is employed in the open water of a lake or river by means of weights and floats. What is a set line? set·line. (sĕt′līn′) 1.
How to lay a trotline?
How to Set up a Trotline For Crabs
- Braided Nylon (#4-#5) or Tarred Line
- Chicken Necks
- Two 3-4 foot Sections of Chain
- Two 50 ft Sections of larger Rope
- Two Anchors that will Drag
- Two Brass Snap Swivels
- Cooler or Large Bucket
- Heavy Working Gloves
- Wire Crab Net
- Bushel Basket
Why do they call it a trot line?
trot line origination fishermen did indeed use baited lines that they ran along the bank/shore line; the word "trot" was used to describe their method b/c horses were used to pull the lines up and down the bank - along the shore line to cover a larger area. this is how the word trotline originated.
Is it a trotline or trotline?
A trotline is a heavy fishing line with individual, shorter, baited lines attached at intervals, commonly referred to as snoods. A snood is a short length of line which is attached to the main line using a clip or swivel, with the hook or bait at the other end.
What is another name for a trotline?
In this page you can discover 4 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for trotline, like: setline, trawl, trawl line and spiller.
Are trotlines legal in Texas?
For a trotline to be legal in Texas public freshwater, it has to meet a handful of requirements. It can't hold more than 50 hooks, can't have hooks closer than 3 feet apart, can't be more than 600 feet in length and can't have any portion (mainline, stagings, hooks) above the water's surface.
Are trotlines legal in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma Trotline Regulations Trotlines/throwlines are restricted to no more than three lines and 100 hooks per person. Persons fishing trotlines or throwlines must release all fish on their lines except those held in possession for their daily limit, before leaving the trotline or throwline.
Are trotlines legal in Ohio?
(20) It shall be unlawful for any person to set, use, or maintain a trotline in the inland fishing district unless they have attached thereto a durable waterproof tag bearing the name and mailing address of the user in English letters or the unique division of wildlife customer identification number of the user legible ...
Are Trotlines legal in Georgia?
It is unlawful to use any sport trotline within one-half mile below any lock or dam. Only catfish and nongame fish (year-round) and American and Hickory shad during shad season may be taken with trotlines. Trotlines are not permitted on Lake Tobesofkee or any State Park Lake.
What is a fishing snood?
A hooklength (also known as a snood) is a section of line which is attached to the rig body and terminates in a hook. The vast majority of rigs used in UK sea fishing will incorporate a hooklength that can be attached to the rig body with either trapped swivels or a more simple dropper knot.
What is a Setline?
Definition of setline : a long heavy fishing line to which several hooks are attached in series.
What is an Alabama rig?
The Alabama rig is not a lure, but a device that allows an angler to deliver multiple lures on a single cast. The “Alabama rig” devised by Andy Poss and sold at TheAlabamaRig.com is simply a castable “umbrella” rig.
Can you use bluegill as bait in Texas?
Texas. In Texas, all nongame fish are legal to use as bait. The use of any game fish or part of any game fish as bait is prohibited in Texas.
Are treble hooks illegal in Texas?
No freshwater restrictions against treble hooks found in Texas.
Why Do They Call It a Trotline?
A trotline is a weird name for a type of fishing. It makes you scratch your head and think about the work’s origin, which isn’t that well-known. So, why are trotlines named trotlines?
How Do You Run a Trotline?
Before placing the hooks in the water, you need to make sure that it’s safe for everyone. People swimming in the water can get caught in the line and hooks, especially if it’s underwater and they can’t see it. They could get seriously hurt, or a greater catastrophe can occur.
How To Build a Trotline?
Trotlines are not hard to build. They might sound complicated, but you only need simple tools to build them. Some parts include basic fishing hooks, swivels, clamps, fishing lines, and strong ropes, which are very durable. They are used for the main line.
What Can You Catch on a Trotline?
Since trotlines are mostly used in the crabbing industry, people usually catch crabs and catfish.
Conclusion
Trotline fishing has been around for a while. It isn’t hard to build it yourself, and it’s effective for crabs and catfish.
What is a trotline in fishing?
In its use in the commercial crabbing industry (on the Chesapeake Bay for example), a trotline is used as a variation of a setline. Webster's dictionary defines a setline as being "a long heavy fishing line to which several hooks are attached in series." A trotline is defined as "a comparatively short setline used near shore or along streams." Some other common variations of a setline include limblines, throwlines, and juglines. The Virginia Department of Game & Fisheries defines a trotline as "a line without a rod or reel attached that need not be held in the hand or closely attended."
What is a trot line?
A trotline is a heavy fishing line with baited hooks attached at intervals by means of branch lines called snoods. A snood is a short length of line which is attached to the main line using a clip or swivel, with the hook at the other end. A trotline can be set so it covers the width of a channel, river, or stream with baited hooks ...
What does a float on a trot line mean?
A float on each side of a section of channel is a good indication that a trotline has been set. Setting the line consists of anchoring one end to one side of the channel, then taking the line out to the other side, baiting the hooks while this is being done.
How to tell if a trotline is set?
It is easy to get tangled in the line and for hooks to become embedded in a person's skin, making the need for proper marking of the line crucial. A float on each side of a section of channel is a good indication that a trotline has been set.
How many bushels of crabs can a trotline catch?
Depending on the length of the trotline (usually from at least 100 yards and up to a mile), a commercial waterman can catch anywhere from 4 bushels to 20 bus hels of crabs daily.
How long is a trot line?
As used for crabbing, a trotline is nothing more than a long line, resting on the bottom and anchored at both ends, to which a series of baits are attached at intervals of two to six feet. The baits are attached to the main line by simple slipknots or by shorter lines called dropper lines (known as trots or snoods.)
What weights are used for trot lines?
Most weights used on trotlines are homemade as typical weights used by anglers do not weigh enough to keep the line in place. These may be made out of cement, cinder blocks, or even small boat anchors. Other common weights used include old fashioned window weights, chisel plowshares and other similar sized scrap metal.
What is a trotline?
Trotline is just that common word we all use when we mention that hook-filled line fishermen tie between two points. Some of you are probably disinterested by this mincing of words already. When it comes to annoying human habits, correcting the word choices of others is one of the most annoying things we humans can do.
What are some animals called in Illinois?
It happens right here in Illinois. The same fish we call a grinnel along the Ohio River is called a dogfish in northern Illinois. Some people call it a bowfin. A muskrat in central Illinois might be called a marsh rat elsewhere. The woodchuck—also known as a groundhog—is named a whistle pig by some people, and it’s called an Ozark koala by others.
Why do we have more than one word for the same thing?
We all have the right to choose whatever word we prefer to use at that moment because none of us is confined to a vocabulary limited by sanctioned conformity.
Is a trotline a trout line?
The trotline is a catfishing device. There is no such thing as a trout line. The thing is, some of you might actually call a trotline a trout line yourself if that’s what you’ve always called it. So be it. Let the trotline be called a trout line in your world, just as in Cheever’s world, even if the dictionary disagrees.

Overview
Variations
In its use in the commercial crabbing industry (on the Chesapeake Bay for example), a trotline is used as a variation of a setline. Webster's dictionary defines a setline as being "a long heavy fishing line to which several hooks are attached in series." A trotline is defined as "a comparatively short setline used near shore or along streams." Some other common variations of a setline include limblines, throwlines, and juglines. The Virginia Department of Game & Fisheries defines …
Construction
Constructing a trotline is quite simple. Basic supplies needed are fishing hooks, clamps, swivels, fishing line, and a durable cord or lightweight rope used for the main line. Before constructing the trotline, it is a good idea to measure the span of the body of water being fished in order to give the main line an appropriate length. Once this is done, drop lines are set along the main line by threading clamps on the line with swivels between them. Fishing line is attached to the swivels a…
Setting the line
It is important to make sure that the area where the line is to be set is free of swimmers, boaters, or other people on or near the water as it is difficult to detect where a trotline is while it is underwater. It is easy to get tangled in the line and for hooks to become embedded in a person's skin, making the need for proper marking of the line crucial. A float on each side of a section of channel is a good indication that a trotline has been set.
See also
• Long-line fishing
External links
• How to make a trotline
• Types of Trotline
• How to set a trotline in open water
• Trotlines: Artisanal Longlining for Food and Profit