Abstract: Apparatus for handling a fishing line having hooks spaced apart along it, such as is used in "long line" fishing, as the line is hauled in from the sea, comprises a rail-member, means for hauling the line in a direction at an angle to the rail-member and a guide-member which is engaged by successive hooks of the line as it is hauled, to guide the hooks into engagement with the rail-member, whereby the movement of the line at an angle to the rail-member causes the hooks to slide along the rail-member so as to separate them from the line and feed them towards a storage rail.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the baiting of fishing lines of the kind having hooks spaced apart along them, such as are used in "long line" fishing, there is provided a method of baiting according to which the line is drawn through an elongated tubular member into which bait is fed. A blocking device in the form of a brush-assembly having flexible brush-bristles is provided in association with the outlet of the tubular member, so as to retain a mass of bait in the tubular member, while allowing bait which has been impaled by the hooks as the line passes through the tubular member, to pass freely out of the outlet. Apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed.