you were right

> The basic difference between these two similar terms is that trawling involves a net and is typically done for commercial fishing purposes, while trolling involves a rod, reel, and a bait or lure," and is typically done by recreational fishermen.

As lostlogin noted, words have different meaning in different contexts, and the fishing definitions do not apply to online discussions - except perhaps on a fishing forum!

Here's an example:

I went trawling through your HN comments to find something I didn't like so I could downvote it.

Naw, I didn't really do that, I'm just trolling you!

Their used all the time as metaphors outside of fishing.

I've seen "trolling" in the metaphorical fishing sense used in the context of online forums before.

The definition misses a common usage - to antagonize (others) online by deliberately posting inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments or other disruptive content.

I wonder though, based on the professional/enthusiast fishing definition, could you call someone who is paid for (digital) trolling, a trawler?

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troll

Hello! Neat articles on the rest of your site too. As a Home Assistant addict, you have given me plenty to read.