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12-10-2013, 11:23 AM
I posted this thread many years ago back when this site was fishinghotpage.com. Just thought I'd bring it back for fun. Feel free to contribute your own slang....
1st Deck = Senior Deckhand if there are two working a boat. JapanRon
aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! = means you hooked a fish - Yellow fever
Albies = Albacore - Jeff
ALLISON = 200+lb yellowfin - buzznfmf
anchor drift = when your anchor drags - Yellow fever
*** kicked = when a fish tires you out more then you tire him out - Yellow fever
baby killer = someone who keeps small fish - Yellow fever
Backside, The = Seaward side of Catalina or ???(JapanRon)
Ballywhoseyodaddy = Ballyhoo - DUSTYUCF
Barelycuda = small or short barracuda - Ken Schnorr
barn door = large halibut - popelink
Barney = a term used to describe an angler who claims know everything but can't get hung. The term came from "The Andy Grifith Show" Barney Five claimed to know everything but was an idiot instead. - tunakllr
Barries = Barracuda - Jeff
Bendo = when you hang a fish - Yellow fever
Bird's Nest = Line overrun on the spool. (JapanRon)
bit off = the fish bit through your line - Yellow fever
Boil = Topwater disturbance caused by big fish chasing little fish. - Jeff
Boneheads = Bonito.(JapanRon)
Bones = Bonito - Jeff
Bounce = Haul a fish over the rail without assistance.(JapanRon)
brail = to throw net fulls of chum at a time, also a kind of bait scoop - Yellow fever
Breezers = Fish that are just swimming through the area. Not necessarily feeding, just teasing. - Jeff
Broomstick = A short really stiff rod that has little or no bend (JapanRon)
Brown Cod = may not want to post this one! head use with not enough current for dispersal. - Ken Schnorr
brownie = herring or tom cod thats used for bait - Yellow fever
Bucket Mouth = Usually what one would call a really big bass. JapanRon
Bull Bass = Big Calicos (used only in San Diego??) - Jeff
bull kelp = the thick base of a kelp stringer - Yellow fever
Bush = Kelp Paddy - Jeff
Butts = Halibut. JapanRon
Button-down = Tighten down your drag.(JapanRon)
Buzz Saw = getting cut off by another line crossing yours, person not following their fish, seen on many albacore and tuna trips - Ken Schnorr
Candy = The 'preferred' baitfish, usually live squid. - Jeff
captainidis = when a guy first gets his licinse and tries to talk and act like hes the sh$% - Yellow fever
Cattle boat = An overcrowded open-party sportfishing boat. "Wow, those guys are packed on like cattle!" - Jeff
chewed = getting bit - Yellow fever
chewing = fish are biting - Yellow fever
Chicken = small dorado - buzznfmf
Chicken = A sea gull; especially one that ate your hook. "Look, I caught some chicken!" - Jeff
Chicken of the Sea = Seagull(JapanRon)
Chovies = Anchovies. - Jeff
Chummer = Seasick person. - Jeff
Come Unbuttoned = Fish comes off the hook.(JapanRon)
Coffee grinder = spinning reel. - Ken Schnorr
croaker = white seabass - Yellow fever
Cross their Eyes = Strong hook Set.(JapanRon)
Cured = Bait that have serenity.(JapanRon)
Daisy Chain = A bunch of teasers or feathers linked together and trolled. JapanRon
Dead-heads = Those scraggly, un-shaved "friends" of the deck-hands that get to ride on the boat for free. Often seen hogging the best corner of the boat to fish on and always getting the "primo" baits from the guy on the tank. They are not considered as paying customers, just dead (extra) weight. - Jeff
desert = no fish for miles - Yellow fever
Dikes = Cutters and or pliars.(JapanRon)
Dinies = Small sardines. - Jeff
Dinks = Little fish. - Jeff
Dinos = Large sardines. - Jeff
Dodo = Dorado - Dale Vaughan
Dog = Seal - Yellow fever
Domes = Area out in front of San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant, where the reactors look like big "domes". Dolly Pardon? - Jeff
DOORMATT = large flounder/hallibut - buzznfmf
downhill current = when the current is going toward mexico - Yellow fever
Drag = Two definitions here. And no, one of them is not Dennis Rodman. This could be referred to as the braking mechanism in your reel or the art of trolling, which is simply dragging lures behind the boat. - Jeff
dragging = when the anchor doesnt hold - Yellow fever
Dropper Loop = The "dropper loop" is a name for the type of knot used on multiple hook setups, or "rock-cod gangions". It is just a series of small loops tied inline about 1 ft. apart with a weight at the bottom. I like using this setup for deep water because it does not twist the line. Jeff.
Drop the Hook = Set the anchor.(JapanRon)
dumped = when you loose a fish - Yellow fever
Fathom = 6 foot of depth.(JapanRon)
Farmer = One who constantly loses fish. Don't know how this one came about. Any help? - Jeff
From Jeff Spira: with regards to your "Farmer" section, I've heard it used as a verb "You farmed it.", or "I farmed three before I finally boated this one." when someone loses a fish. I don't get the metaphor either.
The way I heard about the term "farmer" came from a old crusty skipper who watched the passengers on his boat while they fished. Having nothing better to do on slow days, he sized them up based on the way they looked and their obvious skill - or the lack thereof - and would then make his sarcastic comments to the crew as to what kind of job that person probably did - like "college boy" or "ditch-digger". Throughout history, a farmer was a lowly peasant that had absolutley no talent, no worth. He was the bottom of the barrel in society and has been until this century. He simply stuck a seed in the ground and waited for it to grow. No rocket science needed there. So "Farmer" was the insult to the person that theskipper deemed "stupid " or "hopeless".
John "JB" Butler
Feathers = Formally Japan Feathers now all kinds of bird clothes.(JapanRon)
Firecrackers = Small Yellowtail - Jeff
Fish heads = What's left after a sea dog gets a hold of it! - Brian Cyr
Flats = Huntington Flats. Sandy-bottom area located 1-3 miles off Huntington Beach. - Jeff
Flattie = Halibut. - Jeff
Floats or floated = refering to squid when it comes all the way to the top of the water to spawn - Yellow fever
Floater = rockfish gangion floating to surface from bloated fish or single rockfish that came unhooked and floated to surface. - Ken Schnorr
Foaming = Lots of big fish feeding heavily upon lots of little fish. The topwater disturbance is so great it creates a "foam" on top of the water. - Jeff
Footballs = Little tuna. - Jeff
Fork or Forktail = Yellowtail - Jeff
free gaff = to gaff a fish thats not hooked - Yellow fever
Freespool = Let the spool run free with thumb pressure.(JapanRon)
Fresh Dead = If no live squid, fresh dead squid is second best (JapanRon)
fresh one!!!!! = yelled out when you hook up on bait or jig.... not trolling - popelink
Fried = Burned up the reel's drag washers.(JapanRon)
Frisco style = when you snag a fish in the butt - Yellow fever
Frontside = Used when describing the side of an Island (i.e. Catalina) facing the mainland.
galley ***** = the cook - Yellow fever
Galley Bite = When you order a burger in a slow bite and as soon as its ready, the action comes alive.. - Ken Schnorr
Galley run = when boat makes a long run to a new spot usually for a good reason, but sometimes people complain. But either way the galley business always picks up. - Ken Schnorr
gar = barracuda - Yellow fever
Get on the Horn = Usually means to get on the radio to other skippers (JapanRon)
Getting Worked = When a large fish on heavy line is kicking your ***. - tunakllr
Go'in Out = Heads up Someones casting out.(JapanRon)
Goat = large male sheepshead. - Ken Schnorr
golden gobbler = tom cod - Yellow fever
Gorrillas = Big tuna. - Jeff
green stuff = cold or dirty water - Yellow fever
Greenies = Small 4" or 5" bait(not anchovey)(JapanRon)
Grumps = Big calico or sand bass. Too tough to eat, should be released.
Hali = Halibut. JapanRon
HAMMERED = violent strike/tipsey angler - buzznfmf
Handoff = What happens if you can't handle a fish.(JapanRon)
HANG = structure - buzznfmf
head shot = when you gaff a fish in the head so you dont hurt the meat - Yellow fever
Helmet = Poor Fishing!!! - Dale Vaughan
Hitchhiker = ling cod hanging onto small rockfish all the way to surface. - Ken Schnorr
Home Guard = A Fish whose species usually migrates decides to stay in an area. Example: Home guard yellowtail at Catalina (JapanRon)
Hoo'ed = when you feel a quick jerk then nothing, and reel in a cut-off line. bit off by a wahoo, but I use it with barracuda also. - Ken Schnorr
HOO = wahoo - buzznfmf
Hook = Anchor.(JapanRon)
hook up!!!!! = yeeled out when you get a positive jig strike trolling - popelink
Horse = Bringing in a fish without giving it a chance to fight. JapanRon
Hot Rail = Area where fish are being followed.(JapanRon)
Hot Stick = Good or catching fisherman.(JapanRon)
Hung = as in hooked up with a big fish. Not to brag, but I'm "hung". -RHOLLO
Iron = On the Iron i.e. caught on a metal jig (JapanRon)
island mackeral = blue perch - Yellow fever
jag = barracuda mark on the fish finder - Yellow fever
Japan Feathers = Old style lure with a weighted bullet shaped head, red glass eyes, and feathers which can be jigged or trolled (JapanRon)
jig = lure - popelink
Jig Stick = Long Rod used to get way past others on the boat.(JapanRon)
Jig Strike/Stop = The boat will usually hunt/troll and stop on a strike.(JapanRon)
kelps = kelp paddies - Yellow fever
Knot = equal to mph.(JapanRon)
Laguna Tuna = A small mackerel.(JapanRon)
lead = sinker - Yellow fever
Leeward Side of something (island) sheltered from a predominate wind. JapanRon
LEMONFISH = cobia - buzznfmf
Limited Load = Your guess is as good as mine.(JapanRon)
LINESIDES= STRIPED BASS - Steve Suhrbier
LING= cobia - buzznfmf
Live Line = Send a live bait out without little or know weight.(JapanRon)
Locked Down = Drag is tightened as fas as possible.(JapanRon)
Logs = Big Barracuda. - Jeff
Longfins = Albacore. - Jeff
Low Bridge = what good casters say before they start their backcast (JapanRon)
LUNKER = HUGE TROUT OR BIG BASS - Steve Suhrbier
Mack Attack = Mackerel eating every bait thrown making it impossible to catch targeted species. - Jeff
Macks = Mackerel.
Make bait = Catching live bait yourself as opposed to buying it. - Jeff
Mangler = Idiot that doesnt look behind before casting his jig. Watch out for this guy, unless you want your nose pierced for free. - Jeff
Marks = marks indicating fish or schools of fish on the Meter i.e. fish finder (JapanRon)
Masterbaiter = the guy who stands on the tank chumming - Dan Lynch.
Meatball = small schools of baitfish that were chummed and regrouped into a small pack. - Ken Schnorr
Meat Stick = A big, heavy, long rod to get down and dirty (JapanRon)
meter = fish finder - Yellow fever
meter marks = fish marks on the fishfinder - Yellow fever
Mexican Flag = A jig or feathers that have the same colors as the United States of Mexico. (red, green, and white) JapanRon
Mossbacks = Yellowtail. - Jeff
- This is usually a "large yellowtail" being caught in an area that he shouldn't be in or being caught in the winter months. - Brian Cyr
Nervous Water = Surface water that is ruffeled with bait activity.(JapanRon)
nobody home = refers to a kelp paddie with no fish on it - Yellow fever
Nugget = A nice spot of fish seen on the meter. Usually tuna. - Eric C. Meins
Nuked Fish = S.D. Bay Bass - Dale Vaughan
OFFERINGS = anything over the side as gifts to the fishgods - buzznfmf
On the Iron = Caught on an iron jig.(JapanRon)
On the Kite = When tuna fishing, a trolled bait is sometimes suspended from a kite (JapanRon)
Paddy = Floating Kelp. Sometimes lots of fish hiding underneath. - Jeff
Peanuts = refers to small albies or sometimes tuna under 5lbs. - tunakllr
Pin = Put a hook in a bait (JapanRon)
Pinheads = Tiny baitfish, usually die immediatley after being hooked. - Jeff
Hi. Saw your site and noticed that pinheads was used to describe a small dead bait fish. When I used to work for H&M back when I was younger, Pinheads (a.k.a. Sea Rats) were the people (usually younger scraggly kids like myself) that got to fish for free providing they helped clean the boat on the way home after the days catch. Just thought I'd let you know. I know most of this stuff is not going to make it into Merriam Websters, but hey what the heck, that's why we call it slang.
Thanks for you consideration and keep up the good work on your site.
Nick Fernandes (Fernanz)
H&M Sportfishing Deckhand 1987-1991
plastic or rubber = swim baits - Yellow fever
poacher = someone who is fishing in your chum line or on a spot you found or something - Yellow fever
POOLFISH = what you tell a green angler he's fighting,when he's obviously hung on the bottm - buzznfmf
popped off = hook pulled out of his mouth - Yellow fever
Port = Left (same number of letters as port) side of the vessel viewed from the stern looking toward the bow. JapanRon
Professional Over-run = Bird's Nest.(JapanRon)
Pussgut = sand bass - Dale Vaughan
Rats = Little yellowtail. - Jeff
Rattlesnake = Sculpin - Joe Adler
re anchor = captain screwed up and missed the spot - Yellow fever
Regular = Often a paying customer as opposed to a deadhead. (JapanRon)
rhinos or trout = big sardines - Yellow fever
Rigs = Offshore oil platforms. - Jeff
Rip Lips = over zealous hook set (JapanRon)
Ripped = This happens when a fish has hit you on the run and gets off before you can set the hook. i.e That fish really ripped me. Someone else it might be short for having your bait ripped-off. JapanRon
ROCK = striped bass - buzznfmf
rocked = when a fish breaks your line on a rock - Yellow fever
rolled = when your bait dies - Yellow fever
Run and Gun = Go real fast chasing bait or birds and casting to fish.(JapanRon)
Salad = snagging and bringing in kelp or other plantlife. - Ken Schnorr
Sawed Off = Line cut by the hull, anchor rope or idiot.(JapanRon)
SBI = Santa Barbra Island - Yellow fever
Scooters = Barracuda (JapanRon) Haven't heard this one in a while!
Scrambled Egg = A jig or feathers that have the color of.... you guessed it scrambled eggs (yellow, white, and brown and sometimes a little red). JapanRon
screaming = refers to reel with a clicker on or strong current - Yellow fever
Sea Dog = Seal -- or sea lion. Those fish-robbing dogs! - Jeff
Sea Chicken = Seagull - Jeff
Sewer Trout = TOM COD IN THE SANTA MONICA BAY (Doc Daddy)
Shoe = Horseshoe Kelp. Located 3-5 miles off Long Beach breakwall. - Jeff
short bit = when you get bit on the iron but dont hook the fish - Yellow fever
Sinker Dunker = in-experienced angler who just drops his rig in and ends up with J.P.(Jackpot) fish - Dale Vaughan
skiff = private boater - Yellow fever
Skips = Those little 17-21 foot trailer boats that are barely capable of fishing offshore waters. Often times seen 'skipping' across the water, chasing the sportfishing boats. Also short for skipjack; a worthless, pesky little tuna. - Jeff
SKUNKED = fishless angler/boat - buzznfmf
slab = all the meat off one side of the fish - Yellow fever
Slammed! = getting hooked on a fish. From: "Gilbert Gonzalez"
SLAMMER = large bluefish - buzznfmf
Slammer A refrigerator hold or fast freeze fish locker on tuna or long range boats. JapanRon
slide = dropping a bait or lure in the water before the boat stops moving on a jig strike - Yellow fever
Slime- = barracuda - Yellow fever
Slimestick = barracuda (JapanRon)
Smoked = A fish took the bait on the run and you lost it.(JapanRon)
SMOKER = large hoo - buzznfmf
SNAG = structure - buzznfmf
Snaggle Tooth = Sheepshead.(JapanRon)
SNAKE = small hoo - buzznfmf
Snake bit = and/or "got B.O." when you don't get any bites and everyone around you is hooking up. - Ken Schnorr
SOAKIN BAIT = CASTING OUT YOUR BAIT, AND WAITING TO GET A BITE. - Steve Suhrbier
Spooled = All the line has been stripped from the reel. Panic Time! - Jeff
Spotties = Spotted Bay Bass. JapanRon
Squirt Gun = Squid - Ken Schnorr
Squirters Live squid. JapanRon
Starboard = Right side of the vessel viewed from the stern looking toward the bow. JapanRon
steel kelp = oil rigs - Yellow fever
stick or gig = gaff - Yellow fever
stinky pinkey = old dead squid - Yellow fever
String = Fishing line
Tails = Yellowtail. - Jeff
Tangler = An unhappy angler trying to fish aboard an overcrowded boat. - Jeff
the island = Catalina - Yellow fever
the wall = breakwall - Yellow fever
Thumbburn = 'Thumb the spool' at the wrong time and and your thumb will fry (JapanRon)
ticket captains licinse - Yellow fever
TIDERUNNER = 10+lb weakfish - buzznfmf
TOAD = oyster cracker - buzznfmf
TOADS = HUGE TROUT - Steve Suhrbier
TRASH = undesirable catch - buzznfmf
Tube Float Tube (fishing, anglers). JapanRon
Tubes = Squid. JapanRon
Tuna Shuffle = Same as tuna two-step. JapanRon
TUNA TWO-STEP = One of the most important phrases for cattleboat fishing in open water. sure u kno what it means.Good fishin, Michael Tomaszewski
turd rollers = sand bass - Yellow fever
uphill current = current heading toward oragon - Yellow fever
wad = a solid mark on the fish finder - Yellow fever
Whiskers Catfish. JapanRon
Wide-open = Drop a bait into the water, catch a fish. - Jeff
Windward Side of something (island) exposed directly to a predominate wind. JapanRon
WIPER = striped bass hybrid - buzznfmf
Yak Kayak (fishing, anglers). JapanRon
Yellows = I use this one a lot and what's worse is it could be refering to either yellowtail or yellowfin tuna. NOT yellowfin croaker. - Jeff
Yo-Yo = Heavy iron speed retrive for deep fish. - tunakllr
Zzzzzzzzz = The sound your reel makes after your bait is slammed at 50 mph by a hungry tuna. Hookup! Yeah baby!!!.... - Jeff
1st Deck = Senior Deckhand if there are two working a boat. JapanRon
aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! = means you hooked a fish - Yellow fever
Albies = Albacore - Jeff
ALLISON = 200+lb yellowfin - buzznfmf
anchor drift = when your anchor drags - Yellow fever
*** kicked = when a fish tires you out more then you tire him out - Yellow fever
baby killer = someone who keeps small fish - Yellow fever
Backside, The = Seaward side of Catalina or ???(JapanRon)
Ballywhoseyodaddy = Ballyhoo - DUSTYUCF
Barelycuda = small or short barracuda - Ken Schnorr
barn door = large halibut - popelink
Barney = a term used to describe an angler who claims know everything but can't get hung. The term came from "The Andy Grifith Show" Barney Five claimed to know everything but was an idiot instead. - tunakllr
Barries = Barracuda - Jeff
Bendo = when you hang a fish - Yellow fever
Bird's Nest = Line overrun on the spool. (JapanRon)
bit off = the fish bit through your line - Yellow fever
Boil = Topwater disturbance caused by big fish chasing little fish. - Jeff
Boneheads = Bonito.(JapanRon)
Bones = Bonito - Jeff
Bounce = Haul a fish over the rail without assistance.(JapanRon)
brail = to throw net fulls of chum at a time, also a kind of bait scoop - Yellow fever
Breezers = Fish that are just swimming through the area. Not necessarily feeding, just teasing. - Jeff
Broomstick = A short really stiff rod that has little or no bend (JapanRon)
Brown Cod = may not want to post this one! head use with not enough current for dispersal. - Ken Schnorr
brownie = herring or tom cod thats used for bait - Yellow fever
Bucket Mouth = Usually what one would call a really big bass. JapanRon
Bull Bass = Big Calicos (used only in San Diego??) - Jeff
bull kelp = the thick base of a kelp stringer - Yellow fever
Bush = Kelp Paddy - Jeff
Butts = Halibut. JapanRon
Button-down = Tighten down your drag.(JapanRon)
Buzz Saw = getting cut off by another line crossing yours, person not following their fish, seen on many albacore and tuna trips - Ken Schnorr
Candy = The 'preferred' baitfish, usually live squid. - Jeff
captainidis = when a guy first gets his licinse and tries to talk and act like hes the sh$% - Yellow fever
Cattle boat = An overcrowded open-party sportfishing boat. "Wow, those guys are packed on like cattle!" - Jeff
chewed = getting bit - Yellow fever
chewing = fish are biting - Yellow fever
Chicken = small dorado - buzznfmf
Chicken = A sea gull; especially one that ate your hook. "Look, I caught some chicken!" - Jeff
Chicken of the Sea = Seagull(JapanRon)
Chovies = Anchovies. - Jeff
Chummer = Seasick person. - Jeff
Come Unbuttoned = Fish comes off the hook.(JapanRon)
Coffee grinder = spinning reel. - Ken Schnorr
croaker = white seabass - Yellow fever
Cross their Eyes = Strong hook Set.(JapanRon)
Cured = Bait that have serenity.(JapanRon)
Daisy Chain = A bunch of teasers or feathers linked together and trolled. JapanRon
Dead-heads = Those scraggly, un-shaved "friends" of the deck-hands that get to ride on the boat for free. Often seen hogging the best corner of the boat to fish on and always getting the "primo" baits from the guy on the tank. They are not considered as paying customers, just dead (extra) weight. - Jeff
desert = no fish for miles - Yellow fever
Dikes = Cutters and or pliars.(JapanRon)
Dinies = Small sardines. - Jeff
Dinks = Little fish. - Jeff
Dinos = Large sardines. - Jeff
Dodo = Dorado - Dale Vaughan
Dog = Seal - Yellow fever
Domes = Area out in front of San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant, where the reactors look like big "domes". Dolly Pardon? - Jeff
DOORMATT = large flounder/hallibut - buzznfmf
downhill current = when the current is going toward mexico - Yellow fever
Drag = Two definitions here. And no, one of them is not Dennis Rodman. This could be referred to as the braking mechanism in your reel or the art of trolling, which is simply dragging lures behind the boat. - Jeff
dragging = when the anchor doesnt hold - Yellow fever
Dropper Loop = The "dropper loop" is a name for the type of knot used on multiple hook setups, or "rock-cod gangions". It is just a series of small loops tied inline about 1 ft. apart with a weight at the bottom. I like using this setup for deep water because it does not twist the line. Jeff.
Drop the Hook = Set the anchor.(JapanRon)
dumped = when you loose a fish - Yellow fever
Fathom = 6 foot of depth.(JapanRon)
Farmer = One who constantly loses fish. Don't know how this one came about. Any help? - Jeff
From Jeff Spira: with regards to your "Farmer" section, I've heard it used as a verb "You farmed it.", or "I farmed three before I finally boated this one." when someone loses a fish. I don't get the metaphor either.
The way I heard about the term "farmer" came from a old crusty skipper who watched the passengers on his boat while they fished. Having nothing better to do on slow days, he sized them up based on the way they looked and their obvious skill - or the lack thereof - and would then make his sarcastic comments to the crew as to what kind of job that person probably did - like "college boy" or "ditch-digger". Throughout history, a farmer was a lowly peasant that had absolutley no talent, no worth. He was the bottom of the barrel in society and has been until this century. He simply stuck a seed in the ground and waited for it to grow. No rocket science needed there. So "Farmer" was the insult to the person that theskipper deemed "stupid " or "hopeless".
John "JB" Butler
Feathers = Formally Japan Feathers now all kinds of bird clothes.(JapanRon)
Firecrackers = Small Yellowtail - Jeff
Fish heads = What's left after a sea dog gets a hold of it! - Brian Cyr
Flats = Huntington Flats. Sandy-bottom area located 1-3 miles off Huntington Beach. - Jeff
Flattie = Halibut. - Jeff
Floats or floated = refering to squid when it comes all the way to the top of the water to spawn - Yellow fever
Floater = rockfish gangion floating to surface from bloated fish or single rockfish that came unhooked and floated to surface. - Ken Schnorr
Foaming = Lots of big fish feeding heavily upon lots of little fish. The topwater disturbance is so great it creates a "foam" on top of the water. - Jeff
Footballs = Little tuna. - Jeff
Fork or Forktail = Yellowtail - Jeff
free gaff = to gaff a fish thats not hooked - Yellow fever
Freespool = Let the spool run free with thumb pressure.(JapanRon)
Fresh Dead = If no live squid, fresh dead squid is second best (JapanRon)
fresh one!!!!! = yelled out when you hook up on bait or jig.... not trolling - popelink
Fried = Burned up the reel's drag washers.(JapanRon)
Frisco style = when you snag a fish in the butt - Yellow fever
Frontside = Used when describing the side of an Island (i.e. Catalina) facing the mainland.
galley ***** = the cook - Yellow fever
Galley Bite = When you order a burger in a slow bite and as soon as its ready, the action comes alive.. - Ken Schnorr
Galley run = when boat makes a long run to a new spot usually for a good reason, but sometimes people complain. But either way the galley business always picks up. - Ken Schnorr
gar = barracuda - Yellow fever
Get on the Horn = Usually means to get on the radio to other skippers (JapanRon)
Getting Worked = When a large fish on heavy line is kicking your ***. - tunakllr
Go'in Out = Heads up Someones casting out.(JapanRon)
Goat = large male sheepshead. - Ken Schnorr
golden gobbler = tom cod - Yellow fever
Gorrillas = Big tuna. - Jeff
green stuff = cold or dirty water - Yellow fever
Greenies = Small 4" or 5" bait(not anchovey)(JapanRon)
Grumps = Big calico or sand bass. Too tough to eat, should be released.
Hali = Halibut. JapanRon
HAMMERED = violent strike/tipsey angler - buzznfmf
Handoff = What happens if you can't handle a fish.(JapanRon)
HANG = structure - buzznfmf
head shot = when you gaff a fish in the head so you dont hurt the meat - Yellow fever
Helmet = Poor Fishing!!! - Dale Vaughan
Hitchhiker = ling cod hanging onto small rockfish all the way to surface. - Ken Schnorr
Home Guard = A Fish whose species usually migrates decides to stay in an area. Example: Home guard yellowtail at Catalina (JapanRon)
Hoo'ed = when you feel a quick jerk then nothing, and reel in a cut-off line. bit off by a wahoo, but I use it with barracuda also. - Ken Schnorr
HOO = wahoo - buzznfmf
Hook = Anchor.(JapanRon)
hook up!!!!! = yeeled out when you get a positive jig strike trolling - popelink
Horse = Bringing in a fish without giving it a chance to fight. JapanRon
Hot Rail = Area where fish are being followed.(JapanRon)
Hot Stick = Good or catching fisherman.(JapanRon)
Hung = as in hooked up with a big fish. Not to brag, but I'm "hung". -RHOLLO
Iron = On the Iron i.e. caught on a metal jig (JapanRon)
island mackeral = blue perch - Yellow fever
jag = barracuda mark on the fish finder - Yellow fever
Japan Feathers = Old style lure with a weighted bullet shaped head, red glass eyes, and feathers which can be jigged or trolled (JapanRon)
jig = lure - popelink
Jig Stick = Long Rod used to get way past others on the boat.(JapanRon)
Jig Strike/Stop = The boat will usually hunt/troll and stop on a strike.(JapanRon)
kelps = kelp paddies - Yellow fever
Knot = equal to mph.(JapanRon)
Laguna Tuna = A small mackerel.(JapanRon)
lead = sinker - Yellow fever
Leeward Side of something (island) sheltered from a predominate wind. JapanRon
LEMONFISH = cobia - buzznfmf
Limited Load = Your guess is as good as mine.(JapanRon)
LINESIDES= STRIPED BASS - Steve Suhrbier
LING= cobia - buzznfmf
Live Line = Send a live bait out without little or know weight.(JapanRon)
Locked Down = Drag is tightened as fas as possible.(JapanRon)
Logs = Big Barracuda. - Jeff
Longfins = Albacore. - Jeff
Low Bridge = what good casters say before they start their backcast (JapanRon)
LUNKER = HUGE TROUT OR BIG BASS - Steve Suhrbier
Mack Attack = Mackerel eating every bait thrown making it impossible to catch targeted species. - Jeff
Macks = Mackerel.
Make bait = Catching live bait yourself as opposed to buying it. - Jeff
Mangler = Idiot that doesnt look behind before casting his jig. Watch out for this guy, unless you want your nose pierced for free. - Jeff
Marks = marks indicating fish or schools of fish on the Meter i.e. fish finder (JapanRon)
Masterbaiter = the guy who stands on the tank chumming - Dan Lynch.
Meatball = small schools of baitfish that were chummed and regrouped into a small pack. - Ken Schnorr
Meat Stick = A big, heavy, long rod to get down and dirty (JapanRon)
meter = fish finder - Yellow fever
meter marks = fish marks on the fishfinder - Yellow fever
Mexican Flag = A jig or feathers that have the same colors as the United States of Mexico. (red, green, and white) JapanRon
Mossbacks = Yellowtail. - Jeff
- This is usually a "large yellowtail" being caught in an area that he shouldn't be in or being caught in the winter months. - Brian Cyr
Nervous Water = Surface water that is ruffeled with bait activity.(JapanRon)
nobody home = refers to a kelp paddie with no fish on it - Yellow fever
Nugget = A nice spot of fish seen on the meter. Usually tuna. - Eric C. Meins
Nuked Fish = S.D. Bay Bass - Dale Vaughan
OFFERINGS = anything over the side as gifts to the fishgods - buzznfmf
On the Iron = Caught on an iron jig.(JapanRon)
On the Kite = When tuna fishing, a trolled bait is sometimes suspended from a kite (JapanRon)
Paddy = Floating Kelp. Sometimes lots of fish hiding underneath. - Jeff
Peanuts = refers to small albies or sometimes tuna under 5lbs. - tunakllr
Pin = Put a hook in a bait (JapanRon)
Pinheads = Tiny baitfish, usually die immediatley after being hooked. - Jeff
Hi. Saw your site and noticed that pinheads was used to describe a small dead bait fish. When I used to work for H&M back when I was younger, Pinheads (a.k.a. Sea Rats) were the people (usually younger scraggly kids like myself) that got to fish for free providing they helped clean the boat on the way home after the days catch. Just thought I'd let you know. I know most of this stuff is not going to make it into Merriam Websters, but hey what the heck, that's why we call it slang.
Thanks for you consideration and keep up the good work on your site.
Nick Fernandes (Fernanz)
H&M Sportfishing Deckhand 1987-1991
plastic or rubber = swim baits - Yellow fever
poacher = someone who is fishing in your chum line or on a spot you found or something - Yellow fever
POOLFISH = what you tell a green angler he's fighting,when he's obviously hung on the bottm - buzznfmf
popped off = hook pulled out of his mouth - Yellow fever
Port = Left (same number of letters as port) side of the vessel viewed from the stern looking toward the bow. JapanRon
Professional Over-run = Bird's Nest.(JapanRon)
Pussgut = sand bass - Dale Vaughan
Rats = Little yellowtail. - Jeff
Rattlesnake = Sculpin - Joe Adler
re anchor = captain screwed up and missed the spot - Yellow fever
Regular = Often a paying customer as opposed to a deadhead. (JapanRon)
rhinos or trout = big sardines - Yellow fever
Rigs = Offshore oil platforms. - Jeff
Rip Lips = over zealous hook set (JapanRon)
Ripped = This happens when a fish has hit you on the run and gets off before you can set the hook. i.e That fish really ripped me. Someone else it might be short for having your bait ripped-off. JapanRon
ROCK = striped bass - buzznfmf
rocked = when a fish breaks your line on a rock - Yellow fever
rolled = when your bait dies - Yellow fever
Run and Gun = Go real fast chasing bait or birds and casting to fish.(JapanRon)
Salad = snagging and bringing in kelp or other plantlife. - Ken Schnorr
Sawed Off = Line cut by the hull, anchor rope or idiot.(JapanRon)
SBI = Santa Barbra Island - Yellow fever
Scooters = Barracuda (JapanRon) Haven't heard this one in a while!
Scrambled Egg = A jig or feathers that have the color of.... you guessed it scrambled eggs (yellow, white, and brown and sometimes a little red). JapanRon
screaming = refers to reel with a clicker on or strong current - Yellow fever
Sea Dog = Seal -- or sea lion. Those fish-robbing dogs! - Jeff
Sea Chicken = Seagull - Jeff
Sewer Trout = TOM COD IN THE SANTA MONICA BAY (Doc Daddy)
Shoe = Horseshoe Kelp. Located 3-5 miles off Long Beach breakwall. - Jeff
short bit = when you get bit on the iron but dont hook the fish - Yellow fever
Sinker Dunker = in-experienced angler who just drops his rig in and ends up with J.P.(Jackpot) fish - Dale Vaughan
skiff = private boater - Yellow fever
Skips = Those little 17-21 foot trailer boats that are barely capable of fishing offshore waters. Often times seen 'skipping' across the water, chasing the sportfishing boats. Also short for skipjack; a worthless, pesky little tuna. - Jeff
SKUNKED = fishless angler/boat - buzznfmf
slab = all the meat off one side of the fish - Yellow fever
Slammed! = getting hooked on a fish. From: "Gilbert Gonzalez"
SLAMMER = large bluefish - buzznfmf
Slammer A refrigerator hold or fast freeze fish locker on tuna or long range boats. JapanRon
slide = dropping a bait or lure in the water before the boat stops moving on a jig strike - Yellow fever
Slime- = barracuda - Yellow fever
Slimestick = barracuda (JapanRon)
Smoked = A fish took the bait on the run and you lost it.(JapanRon)
SMOKER = large hoo - buzznfmf
SNAG = structure - buzznfmf
Snaggle Tooth = Sheepshead.(JapanRon)
SNAKE = small hoo - buzznfmf
Snake bit = and/or "got B.O." when you don't get any bites and everyone around you is hooking up. - Ken Schnorr
SOAKIN BAIT = CASTING OUT YOUR BAIT, AND WAITING TO GET A BITE. - Steve Suhrbier
Spooled = All the line has been stripped from the reel. Panic Time! - Jeff
Spotties = Spotted Bay Bass. JapanRon
Squirt Gun = Squid - Ken Schnorr
Squirters Live squid. JapanRon
Starboard = Right side of the vessel viewed from the stern looking toward the bow. JapanRon
steel kelp = oil rigs - Yellow fever
stick or gig = gaff - Yellow fever
stinky pinkey = old dead squid - Yellow fever
String = Fishing line
Tails = Yellowtail. - Jeff
Tangler = An unhappy angler trying to fish aboard an overcrowded boat. - Jeff
the island = Catalina - Yellow fever
the wall = breakwall - Yellow fever
Thumbburn = 'Thumb the spool' at the wrong time and and your thumb will fry (JapanRon)
ticket captains licinse - Yellow fever
TIDERUNNER = 10+lb weakfish - buzznfmf
TOAD = oyster cracker - buzznfmf
TOADS = HUGE TROUT - Steve Suhrbier
TRASH = undesirable catch - buzznfmf
Tube Float Tube (fishing, anglers). JapanRon
Tubes = Squid. JapanRon
Tuna Shuffle = Same as tuna two-step. JapanRon
TUNA TWO-STEP = One of the most important phrases for cattleboat fishing in open water. sure u kno what it means.Good fishin, Michael Tomaszewski
turd rollers = sand bass - Yellow fever
uphill current = current heading toward oragon - Yellow fever
wad = a solid mark on the fish finder - Yellow fever
Whiskers Catfish. JapanRon
Wide-open = Drop a bait into the water, catch a fish. - Jeff
Windward Side of something (island) exposed directly to a predominate wind. JapanRon
WIPER = striped bass hybrid - buzznfmf
Yak Kayak (fishing, anglers). JapanRon
Yellows = I use this one a lot and what's worse is it could be refering to either yellowtail or yellowfin tuna. NOT yellowfin croaker. - Jeff
Yo-Yo = Heavy iron speed retrive for deep fish. - tunakllr
Zzzzzzzzz = The sound your reel makes after your bait is slammed at 50 mph by a hungry tuna. Hookup! Yeah baby!!!.... - Jeff