Fishermen are not only known for using terms that the Discovery Channel needs to bleep out. Sure, one can add F*$@ to almost anything and feel a bit more salty, and perhaps S#%! can be substituted for a noun, adjective or verb. But the most important words and phrases to know come from the fisherman’s dictionary. We’ve included some basic lingo to help you succeed by impressing all of your friends when you can identify that the Time Bandit, or tender, transports salmon from the grounds to the cannery during the summer. It also is one bad a$$, mother f^%$ing boat. See, you are already there!

Gillnetting refers to a method of fishing when the salmon will get caught by their gills when swimming to the rivers. The mesh on the net is relatively clear and therefore the salmon get caught while swimming into it. Here are a few fun terms along with a pertinent video where you can see and hear the fisherman’s dictionary at work!

Hits, Hits Hits! – When a group of salmon run into the gillnet and get caught, generally causing splashing. Its awesome.

Lighting Up! – Multiple hits at the same time. Even more awesome.

Net is on Fire!! – Your net is lighting up along the entire length. Awesomeness times infinity.

The Hook- The portion of the net that looks like a ‘J’ or ‘hook’ so that if a school of salmon swims along your net, they get caught and confused in a circular section. Often this will cause them to strike the net.

Line, not rope, string or anything else

Lets look at common terms that a true fisherman will never, ever use. Let the greenhorn spotting begin!

Head NOT Bathroom

Fuel NOT Gas (for diesel engines)

Line NOT Rope, String, Flimsy S#%*

And here are a few of the classics:

Jumper – When a salmon jumps out of the water

Set- The term used for when the net is let out

Plunger- It is like a toilet plunger on a long medal pole and is pushed through the water to make bubbles and scare fish away from your boat and under the net

Corks- The top part of the net to keep it afloat