trotline

noun trot·line \ ˈträt-ˌlīn \

|Updated on: 1 Jun 2018

Definition of trotline

: setline; especially : a comparatively short setline used near shore or along streams

Recent Examples of trotline from the Web

While fishing on the Choctawhatchee River, Joel Singletary snagged the fish on his trotline.

— madeline farber, Fox News, "Florida fisherman catches 120-pound ‘granddaddy of all catfish'," 25 Apr. 2018
Outlook: 125 Marina reports: Catfish good on cut bait using jug lines and trotlines; smallmouth and Kentucky bass excellent early on topwater baits off points, also on spinnerbaits 8 to 10 feet down while casting from slightly deeper water.

— bruce janssen, kansascity, "Fishing report for Oct. 19," 18 Oct. 2017
Outlook: Don and Tom’s Bait and Tackle reports: Crappies good on jigs and minnows in the trees in 10 to 15 feet of water; walleyes fair to good on leeches and worm rigs over humps; catfish good on cut bait and goldfish on trotlines.

— bruce janssen, kansascity.com, "Fishing report for June 1," 31 May 2017
Outlook: 125 Marina reports: Walleyes good trolling 23 feet down with stickbaits or nightcrawlers; smallmouth bass good on shallowing-running baits near tree lines; catfish good on cut bait and live bait using limb lines and trotlines.

— bruce janssen, kansascity.com, "Fishing report for June 22," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trotline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.