Definition

Noun: A long, heavy fishing line, typically anchored or suspended between buoys, to which many shorter baited lines with hooks are attached at intervals. It is used for catching fish over a large area, often left unattended for a period of time.

Usage

A "setline" is a specific type of commercial or large-scale fishing gear. It is deployed and then left to fish passively. - It is often used in contexts involving fishing from a boat in open water or a large river. - The term is commonly associated with catching bottom-dwelling or demersal fish species.

Examples

• The fisherman checked his setline at dawn, hoping to find several halibut caught on the hooks.
• Using a setline is an efficient way to catch multiple fish across a wide stretch of the river.
• Regulations limit the number of hooks you can have on a single setline.

Advanced Usage

• "To run a setline": To deploy and manage a setline.
  • They plan to run a setline along the edge of the reef.
• "To set a setline": To put a setline in the water.
  • We'll set the setline at dusk and pull it in the morning.

Variants and Related Words

• Trotline (noun): A synonym for setline, commonly used in freshwater contexts, especially in North America. A trotline is typically anchored at both ends.
• Longline (noun): A related but distinct method; a very long central fishing line with many baited hooks, used primarily in deep-sea fishing for species like tuna and swordfish. A setline is often considered a type of longline or used in a similar manner.
• Bank line (noun): A setline fixed to the shore or bank of a river.

Synonyms

• Trotline
• Longline (in some specific contexts)
• Dropline (though this often implies a single vertical line)

Related Phrases and Compound Terms

• Setline fishing: The activity or practice of using a setline.
  • Setline fishing is a traditional method in these coastal communities.
• Setline hook: One of the individual hooks attached to the main setline.
  • He baited each setline hook with fresh squid.

Noun

1. a long fishing line with many shorter lines and hooks attached to it (usually suspended between buoys)