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

Highliner: A seasoned lobsterman who catches more than his share of the lobsters, successful. Kinda like the CEO of AIG only the Highliner works alot harder,doesn't go to a spa, and doesn't get bailed out by the government if his business tumbels into the crapper.

Part-Timer: Someone who lobsters for the summer, or during the "easy" months. Updated Definition: What the government will eventually turn all full timers into thanks to increased regulations

Full-Timer: A lobsterman who leaves his gear in the water 10-12 months out of the year because either he: Earns 100% of his living from lobstering, loves lobstering so much he can't bear the thought of taking his traps up, can't afford not to, or all of the above. Usually all of the above.

Head: knit mesh that is in the trap, or a hat rack.

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 lobster 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.