Longline fishing is a commercial
fishing technique. It uses a long line, called the main line, with
baited hooks attached at intervals by means of branch lines called
snoods (or
gangions). A snood is a short length of line, attached to the main line using a clip or swivel, with the hook at the other end. Longlines are classified mainly by where they are placed in the
water column. This can be at the surface or at the bottom. Lines can also be set by means of an anchor, or left to drift. Hundreds or even thousands of baited hooks can hang from a single line. Longliners commonly target
swordfish,
tuna,
halibut,
sablefish and many other species.