The TPWD is asking for your input on this proposed change.

I'm opposed to the change if for no other reason than more
government regulations. I'm doubtful the 10 day re-dating rule vs 30 day will reduce the number of abandoned trot lines, throw lines, etc.

I sent email opposing the change to TPWD and the following is their response.

"In the course of investigating the need for the gear tag requirement for throwlines and minnow traps, the department’s law enforcement staff was asked by the TPWD Commission to evaluate the current rule requiring gear tags to be replaced or re-dated at least every 30 days. In researching similar regulations in other states, the department determined that the Texas gear tag rules allowed the longest time period in the country between mandatory datings. The department considers that 10 days is a sufficient period as it would allow any person at least two weekends of fishing effort before having to re-tag or re-date a device. This change would apply to juglines, minnow traps, throwlines and trotlines when fished in fresh water, and crab traps fished for non-commercial purposes, minnow traps, and perch traps when fished in salt water.



The shorter time period between retrieval of gear for re-dating should reduce waste of the resource. This will allow Texas game wardens to exercise their existing authority to remove fishing devices that are being fished in violation of TPWD regulations.



Thanks,

Ken Kurzawski

TPWD Inland Fisheries"

+++

I've tried to research dating requirements for State of Louisiana and State of Oklahoma. Unless I missed something, neither state has re-dating requirement as alleged in the informative email.
requirement

I am all for having to redate trotlines. That way they are legal to move if they are expired. People should be ticketed for littering if they leave them out expired! JMHO

7 would be even better

same here ... It was like swiss cheese on lavon when it was down... even now.... I have dugg one out on Lavon and Don did another out of my lower unit on T-Wok in the last 2 months...

That ol story about getting shot over someones trot line kinda goes by the wayside when they are old and rusty about neck high.. I cut em quik!

My motor is a magnet for some reason for trotlines and the only way to get em out is to cut em up.

Now my $.02 How about a season? Set it for once the water heats up no lines out. Could'nt tell you how many fish I've seen floating on lines in EM from dieing on the line in hot weather. 10 days is a good start. 90% of the set liners on EM are good guys. Most only do it in winter and I know one guy that won't keep a fish over 10 lbs. There are a few that set it and forget it though.

They oughta do away with trotlines all together.......

I am all for cutting down the litter and boating hazards that we have in the lakes. If everyone was responsible this discussion and law wouldn't be neccessary. People are people and that is why laws are enacted.

why don't ya'll just go on back to bass fishing ... you will not be satisfied until you have made catfishing into what bass fishing has become ... catfishing is on the verge of being demagoged to death

aww now Albert it isn't that bad. You are just read the opinions of a vocal minority.


As for me, I wouldn't care if they changed the law to redating every 24 hours. I don't leave my lines out that long.

what he said, although the 10 day redate won't bother me.

I 2nd that

Albert I just think most people are just SICK AND TIRED of people puttin lines and jugs out and runnin um a couple of times then leavin um. Just wish they would change law where people who find old lines could clean um up.(glad Ive been lucky never been caught)Honestly I dont see a Warden wrightin someone up for removing TRASH, COULD BE WRONG. Just let fishermen take care of it without worry

Sounds more like wardens need to be on the water more. I thank if we find a line with no tag we should remove it. If we see someone
Setting / running a line with no tag Wardan should
Be called. A shorter time on a line will not make
Them lazy people remove there line but a fine will.
My 2 cents

I heard a fisherman say this once:

"The only GOOD trotline.....is one that has met my Uncle Henry...UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!"

I don't even know what that means.

I do Uncle Henry is a Case knife, only knife I know of whos guarantee includes loss , bought one in the mornin went fishin that afternoon dropped it in the lake they sent me a new one that was about ten yrs ago

They ought to do away with trotlines all together……………………

I am all for having to redate trotlines earlier to help gets rid of derelict lines and jugs to clean up the trash!

But for the pole and line only snob hypocrites on this board wanting to ban trotlines and Jugs have you ever looked at your boat when you put 7-20+ lines out while catfishing you’re just a floating trotline masquerading as a boat! I prefer pole and line but I been known to trotline a few times in the past.

I do not know why throw lines were included in the original post. Trot lines and jugs must be tagged under current regulations but not throw lines.

I tell anyone who goes fishing with me in my canoe to stand still in case of a capsize in shallow water. Any attempt to wade could end in getting hooked by one of the thousands of rusty hooks on trotlines crisscrossing the flat. People cutting them and letting them sink are not doing good.

Does anyone really think that the trotliner who will not pick his line up when he is done with it or who will not run it once a day, will comply with the new proposed regulation? I for one seriously doubt it. These are people who probably don't even tag one end much less both ends of their lines, as required now. If you really want to stop people from leaving their unused lines in a lake make it where you cannot buy the $10.00 POS at every Walmart & tackle store around. If they want to trotline fish then make them make their own lines.If you have to put the time & effort into making your own lines, you will retrieve them, & probably check them quite often.



If the current regulation was so effective at stopping the problem of abandoned lines how does anyone think that changing the regulations will solve the problem. The game wardens have never checked me while i was running my lines, what is going to make them start now?

I have run lines in EM for over 20 years, & have complied with the regulations the whole time. I have only had one line cut & it was current & tagged on both ends per the regulations. Whoever cut it thought retrieving his $2.00 rattletrap by cutting my legal trotline was well within his right to do so. even though it was illegal to do it. He did not care if it was legal or not.

I support the ten day retag, and I run a line. I think catchin em on R/R is more fun but when it's time to fill the freezer I pull out the line. I say the line because I only have one and no way you'd catch me not pick up my line. It takes almost a whole day to make and around 100 bucks, stainless hooks,quick connects, and the works. It's the guys that throw a [censored] line together and don't check it often or bait right that leave lines. When set right and baited properly you have to check it mornings and evenings or risk lost fish,or fish dying in hotter water. Usually within 2 days I've caught all me and family need and me and the line are gone.

I trotlined all my life, I wouldnt have a problem with a hot water restriction. Most of the liners I know are good guys, and unlike you I only know a couple that will keep a blue over 10#. And they are 2 and 3 time a year fishermen for the frezer.

I say cut them if they are expired. just dont let them fall to the bottom though. try to get them completely out of the water. I dont trotline but i do jug. I make my own and only run them on ponds and gravel pits. I keep track of them and dont leave until i have picked them ALL up.

Trash in general is a real problem on our lakes. I wish people werent so lazy and dis-respectful.

Anyone have the input address?

So its bad to leave my trot lines in the middle of boat lanes? Jk.

Lines can get annoying. Jug lines not as bad.

I'm down for a change. But the change should be more effective. What's the point of changing the dates if the warden isn't on the water to make sure it us followed through.. I've been fishing Lavon just about every week for the last 8 months or so and I saw the warden 1 time. He was waiting at the ramp. Not even a boat with him. If ur going to change something then figure out how to enforce it.. if not enforced then it is more of just a "scare tactic" right.. we can call the warden bit if they do not enforce the change then it doesn't matter. I don't mind cutting a line down cause I have had mine cut. But yes if u cut it down, at least remove it..

Again, it comes down to the wardens. If they do not enforce it then this does not matter.

JMO

I fish within regs so I don't care if the warden is on the water more often.

no trotlines only juglines and such do it where you can only put out 15 per person running them.

I have a great idea. BAN all fishing. It annoys the jet skiers. Why should they have to put up with fishermen?

j49

I agree with the others who have stated that changing the regulations is not going to fix the problem. The people who leave them out are not the ones who tag their lines and check them regularly. A large number of trot liners go 2 or 3 times a year and pull their lines when done.

As far as the enforcement thing goes, some things are just not practical to enforce. To legitimately enforce even the regulations we have now is beyond TPWD, they simply don't have the amount of wardens needed to pull it off. Can you imagine the amount of hours needed to go out looking for illegally placed trot lines, or worse still the amount of time it would take them to go out and clean them up? I don't think they should officially authorize anglers to go remove them either, who is to keep other anglers and such from cutting the legit lines and "losing" the tags?

Folks, about best thing you can do is leave the legally marked lines alone and cut the trashy unmarked lines. Keep your mouth shut about doing it, and throw them in a dumpster on the way out of the lake. If anyone asks say something to the effect of "It hung up in my prop and I didn't want to just drop it to the bottom". Yeah that is illegal, but if you want something done that is your best bet at getting something done and it would be really hard to charge you for untangling a line from your prop and not dropping it back in the lake.

Personally, I don't mess with any of them. I don't like running into them or hanging up on them, but they do not belong to me and that is that. I wish people would clean up after themselves, but these days many people do not, government regulations will not fix that.

If it's a hazard I'll cut a line up. I'm all for tighter regs on the trotliners. But don't think I'm biased, I'd like tighter regs on trophy cats too for across the board.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20120126b

input email address is on the linked page

They should ban all Trotlines and Jugs should have to run by Hot Chicks in Tiny bikinis.......

Finally something DCM and I agree on!!!! LOL

I've long been a supporter of a 60 day summer ban on trotlines and juglines for July and August.

Shut it down and make it fair game to remove everything from the water during that time.

You solve the issue of people killing fish by not tending lines and give everyone a chance to get the [censored] out of the lake at the same time.

The author of the TPWD email was ken.kurzawski@tpwd.state.tx.us
he will appreciate your input.

Thats not a bad idea. Everything has to be removed by a certain date. Afterwards any lines will be cut and removed. by catfish guide

Best idea Ive heard TCG

Best idea Ive heard TCG

Do they not do a cleanup on the coast for crab pots or something
like that? That two month shut down and cleanup would be a great solution.

That sounds reasonable. Now if we could just convince enough people to do that...

Should it be the same on rivers?

I thought Uncle Henry Knives were made by Shrade, or at least thats what mine says.

My bad dam Im gettin old