A trotline deployment apparatus for safely deploying a trotline from a watercraft, the trotline having a plurality of hooks each attached to the trotline via a trotter line and a swivel, comprising a trotline canister, and a support frame having an upper assembly and a base. The trotline canister has an interior space adapted to foldably store the trotline, an opening which allows the trotline to be pulled away from the interior space, and a guide slot which sequentially engages the swivels and prevents the trotline from becoming entangled. The trotline canister is detachably secured to the upper assembly via a retaining collar. A hook holder adapted to selectively enclose the hooks prevents unintentional contact with the hooks. The upper assembly further has one or more hook separator arms from which the hooks are suspended and separated to facilitate application of bait.