Calculating the Sweep Angle and Wing End Spread of a Single Demersal Trawl | Seafish
Jump to:

Calculating the Sweep Angle and Wing End Spread of a Single Demersal Trawl

Alternative names

  • Sweep angle
  • Bridle angle
  • Trawl gear
  • Gear spread
  • Gear opening
  • Gear parameters



Critical for a skipper is knowing the opening of their trawl gear in relation to the length of sweeps. 

An illustration demonstrating the measurements that can be calculated between the door spread, angle of the bridle and distance between the wing ends
An aerial view of a trawl

The Calculating Sweep Angle and Wing End Spread of a Single Demersal Trawl document below provides an easy way for skippers to estimate the sweep angle and wing end spread of their gear by entering the measured door spread, sweep length and trawl dimensions into the spreadsheet. 

For advice on methods measuring door spread with different towing arrangements, please access the Calculating the Spread of Trawl Doors fact sheet below. 

Back to top