Lobsterman's "Lingo" a.k.a. Terms and Definitions

Head: knit mesh that is in the trap

Warp: rope used to attach buoy to trap

Pot: the trap

Wicked: describes an extreme. (Wicked good=Really good)

Go to haul: go out to tend traps

Bait: the best all-natural fish attractant picked exclusively from a vast array of dead fish. The lobster can't resist it.

Bait Juice: stinky fish juice

Baiting Up: loading bait aboard the boat

Bait Shed: building usually on a wharf that is used to store bait

Bait Box: Large container on boat that bait is stored in

Pocket/Baitbag: knit mesh which holds a few handfuls of bait that is hung in trap to attract lobsters

Steaming: the boat underway

Gaff: Boat hook, stick with hook on end that is used to grab buoy

Buoy: a float that is painted a certain color chosen by the lobsterman to distinguish his traps from others’ traps. It has a line running from it to the trap to retrieve it from the ocean floor.

Snatch Block: pulley consisting of a simple roller system that trap line runs through to retrieve the trap from the ocean floor. This keeps the line from rubbing on the side of the boat.

Hauler: a hydraulic device that grips the rope running from trap to buoy which mechanically pulls the line into the boat utilizing a set of disks or plates that have a splitter situated so the line falls onb the floor under said hauler. It is controlled manually by the captain.

Crate: a floating container that holds 90 lbs. of lobsters in storage

A Transplant : someone from away

Virtual Lobster Crate: an online account that keeps a tally of how many lobsters a rent-a-trap customer has caught and is in storage, ready to ship.

Virtual Lobsterman: a member of Swan's Island Rent-A-Trap.