Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Surface Long Liners

Fishing Vessel Types – Long Liners

There are almost as many types of fishing vessels as there are types of fish in the sea, with many vessels being designed and rigged to target a certain type of fishery.

Today's topic will be on long line fishing vessels, targeting top water (surface) pelagic fish, such as swordfish and tuna.

Longliners are given that name as they are using lines anywhere from 2–50 miles long, which are set out behind the boat with baited hooks attached at set intervals and with buoys and high flyers also at set intervals. The hooks are attached to the main line by gangions — a length of rope or cable whose length is set by how deep the fisherman would like the hook to be below the surface.

The line is set out and released from the boat for a determined amount of time, floating with the currents, and is then retrieved to the vessel onto the longline spool by hydraulics with the crew removing fish as the line enters the boat.

There have been many types of vessels converted and rigged for long lining, from sport fisherman types to shrimpers, all depending on targeted species and distances. The US Gulf shrimpers make excellent vessels for long liners — they have great sea keeping abilities, large ice holds, good fuel capacities, and very roomy back decks for gear. Ocean Marine has been involved in many shrimper to long liner conversions over the years.

Want to learn more about other types of Commercial Vessels? Read What are the different types of commercial vessels?

Article by Steve Kokinos