DictionarytrollFishing with trailing bait
verb

troll

To search for fish by trailing bait through water.

We troll for trout by pulling lures slowly behind our boat.

Etymology

Troll had older senses involving moving or drawing something along. Fishing specializes that movement to trailing bait through the water.

More examples

  • She trolls along the shoreline with a baited hook.
  • We trolled for salmon all morning without a bite.
  • Try trolling a lure just above the lake bottom.

Forms

troll · trolls · trolled · trolling

troller noun — A person who fishes with trailing bait.

Similar words

fish
Covers catching fish by any method, not just trailing bait.
angle
Means fishing with a hook and line, without necessarily trailing bait.