I’m wanting to make some limb lines. I was reading the regulations on what they need to have. Do they need to have a float near the water? Am I reading that right?

So I tie it to the limb and then have my tag with info and then I also have to have a float near the water? Is it allowed to just have a tag and no float?

Why do they require a float?

Best to contact your local gw on legality of things like that if you have questions.

The float can be a tag with the info. But best to check with a local Game Warden (as "mckinney..." just noted), as it is the best way to know exactly what to do. You can look up the county of the area you will be fishing, and find that one & their phone number. Then give 'em a buzz during normal waking hours.

Plus #1. Can't go wrong!

I was told that limb lines fall under throw lines regulations and your supposed to follow the gear tag regulations that are set for them. We used to run limb lines a lot. But since that rule change I went to either fishing jugs or trot lines. Just easier to keep legal for me. I do understand why the rule was changed! Fish around Rayburn and there are lines hanging from the trees everywhere. If everyone would just pick up their lines when done fishing it would be so nice. But as we all know, That is not going to happen.

I've not ever used limb lines, but when I read the regulation it was a head scratcher even for me.
Only reason I see is they are trying to make them more visible and maybe to deter their use.

Back in the mid 1980s, I used to touch base with the Game Wardens here at TP&W as well as on the river. On the Trinity River (about 25 bends down from TX 21), I always chatted to a friendly one. He would give me all the latest news & rules. Due to him, I started tagging my trotlines on both sides instead of just one side. And tagging my throwlines (even though then it was not because of the regulations. He explained that if I did & he came across someone running my lines (other than me), he would write them up (ticket), or haul them off. He hauled off a couple of guys who went for a joy ride in somebody's boat one time. He knew the owner near where I fished & knew they were not him.

They used to drag lines in the Trinity River, for old abandoned ones, illegal ones, and nets. Being tied underwater,, unless they drug for them, they might not be visible. So I assume nowadays, they want visible means to identify where the lines are, should they decide to check them for legality, out of date, or abandoned, or dead or illegal fish.

In the latest rulings they came up with also putting a number on your jug/tag, but now it seems to read it can be either. That is one question I will be asking next week. I might share some of the answers shared with me after those clarifications.

The way I read it is that you can put your name and address on the tag or your Doc: number off your license.
The reason for that is someone other than the Game Warden with wrong motives can't look up you name and address and know where you live.
The Game Warden can look up your Doc: number and pull up all your information whereas nobody else can.