trotline

[trot-lahyn] /ˈtrɒtˌlaɪn/
noun
1.
a strong fishing line strung across a stream, or deep into a river, having individual hooks attached by smaller lines at intervals.
Origin
1825-35; perhaps trot1 + line1
Examples from the web for trotline
  • Rod and reel anglers grumble because they can't even drift across an open flat without snagging an invisible trotline.
  • Large flathead catfish are occasionally caught by trotline anglers using live fish for bait.
  • Each trotline shall be marked at both ends with a clearly visible stake or buoy.
  • Those that crab with collapsible traps also do not have to worry about crabs falling off a trotline before they can be netted.
British Dictionary definitions for trotline

trotline

/ˈtrɒtˌlaɪn/
noun
1.
(angling) a long line suspended across a stream, river, etc, to which shorter hooked and baited lines are attached Compare trawl (sense 2) See also setline