Just curious:

What trawler do you have? (Hull, rudder, inside helm station only, visibility forward under way, windshield wipers, etc.)(nl)Do you have instruments that allow you to concentrate on watching forward, etc.?(nl)In fog, do you have radar, chart plotter, etc. available at the helm so you can maintain a watch while steering?(nl)Do you tow a dingy? If so, do you leave the engine on the dingy in the normal course of putzing around between anchorages inshore, etc.?(nl)Do you have a "swim platform"?(nl)Do you have Spurs on the boat now?(nl)Are you moving between anchorages in short hops or are you planning longer inshore passages?(nl)Do you have real help to watch during the passages?

The observations in this thread below are very good, but some of answers to the questions are meaningful. e.g., Some trawlers have poor visibility from the helm within 10 - 15 yards from the boat while underway at cruising speed; Let's talk about your specific trawler and it's characteristics, under body, rudder, etc. (It's not just the prop.) How you cruise has as much to do with your approach to such obstacles. etc., etc.

P.S. -- I think a plotted route and an autopilot actually allows me to dodge pots and toggles better in a lot of situations. I can focus ahead and anticipate the "mine field" two or three pots & toggles. When I have to take off the pilot it's the exception, not the rule. Of course there are situations where you really have to say "oh shit" because you mixed-up one toggle from another or there are submerged pots. That doesn't do much good, if you can't see them anyway.

ANYWAY, tell us more about your specific situation if you want advice beyond the good stuff below.