Fishing. [? f. FLEET v.1 in sense ‘to float.’] (See quots.) Cf. FLEET sb.1 3. Also, fleet-line.
1880. Antrim & Down Gloss., Fleet-line (float-line), a line used in a particular kind of sea-fishing; the hook floats mid-way between the surface and bottom.
1891. Cent. Dict., Fleet, in fishing, a single line of 100 hooks: so called when the bultow was introduced in Newfoundland (1846).
