Believe me, I've done all the research. There is no hook spacing requirement and you can use artificial bait.
http://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoo...evices-for-fishSail Line
For use in SALT WATER only. A type of trotline with one end of the main line fixed on the shore, the other end of the main line attached to a wind-powered floating device or sail.
Nongame fish, red drum, spotted seatrout and sharks may be taken with a sail line.
No more than 1 sail line may be used per fisherman.
The sail line must be attended at all times the line is fishing.
Sail lines may not be used by the holder of a commercial fishing license.
Sail lines may be used 7 days a week.
Tag Requirements:
Must have a valid Saltwater Trotline Tag for each 300 feet of mainline or fraction thereof being fished.
Construction and Design Restrictions
Sail line may not exceed 1,800 feet from reel to sail.
Sail and the most shoreward float must be bright orange or red color. All other floats must be yellow. No float may be more than 200 feet from the sail.
A weight of 1 ounce or more must be attached to the line not less than 4 feet or more than 6 feet shoreward of the most shoreward float.
Reflectors of not less than 2 square inches shall be attached to the sail and floats. They must be easily seen from all directions. This applies for sail lines operated from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
May have no more than 30 hooks.
There is no hook spacing requirement.
No hook may be placed more than 200 feet from the sail.
May be baited with either natural or artificial bait.