Great line or gratlin fishing was done in deeper waters than sma’lin fishing often a long way off shore. The boats could be at sea for several days and the lines, several miles long, were baited by the men while they were at sea. The unbaited lines were stored in baskets with thick rope, or cork, around the rim to keep the hooks on, and safe from getting tangled with the line. The baskets used could be larger versions of the sculls used for short line fishing, but large round baskets were often instead. The round baskets were made using a stake and strand technique with an open weave called fitching, a bit like the quarter crans.
In the center of this picture you can see an example of a great line basket of this kind.
by Julie Gurr
See also Line Sculls