trotline

noun

trot·​line ˈträt-ˌlīn How to pronounce trotline (audio)
: setline
especially : a comparatively short setline used near shore or along streams

Examples of trotline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tie the trotline between snags or make anchor points. Keith Sutton, Outdoor Life, 24 Nov. 2020 Just got to trot: While patrolling Cow Bayou for water safety violations, Orange County wardens encountered an untagged saltwater trotline and picked it up. John Goodspeed, ExpressNews.com, 26 Dec. 2019 Passive fishing gear such as trotlines, juglines, throwlines and minnow and perch traps, wreak havoc on fisheries when left unattended. Matt Wyatt, Houston Chronicle, 7 Nov. 2019 The proposals for passive fishing gear, as defined by trotlines, juglines, throwlines and minnow and perch traps, include a requirement that gear be marked with floats no smaller than six inches in length and three inches in width. Matt Wyatt, Houston Chronicle, 5 Oct. 2019 While fishing on the Choctawhatchee River, Joel Singletary snagged the fish on his trotline. Madeline Farber, Fox News, 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, 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, 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, 28 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trotline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from trot entry 1

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trotline was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near trotline

Cite this Entry

“Trotline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trotline. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!