Exactly so. They used a particular type of sailing craft and "dragged" for oysters using a large basket-like device with steel teeth. This was raised by a hoisting rig and the contents, which included a lot of debri, were sorted to pick out the good oysters. Sometimes individuals in this trade are listed as "waterman" or "bayman". All types of fishing are seasonal and most involved in this work usually 'fished' for other catches at different times. JOHN CAMPBELL wrote: > > In the 1880's I had a ggrandfather who's occupation on the census was > oysterman. does anyone know just what that entailed. Sounds like he "fished" > for oysters.