Can someone clear this up for me for the rules on trotline floats. I'm guessing this is a new law within the last few years.

Tag and Marking Requirements
Trotlines in fresh water must be used with a valid gear tag. Properly marked buoys or floats qualify as valid gear tags. Gear tags must be attached within 3 feet of the first hook at each end of the trotline and are valid for 6 days after the date set out.
For non-commercial purposes, must be marked with floats of any color other than orange that are not less than 6 inches in length and 3 inches in width.
For commercial purposes, must be marked with orange floats that are not less than 6 inches in length and 3 inches in width.

As noted, a trotline float can also be used as a gear tag, which the rules are very specific where they need to be located. I have separate gear tags to go on each end of line so I am not using a float for that purpose. To meet the float requirement for non-commercial, is one float per trotline sufficient per the rules? The rules also do not specify a location for the float.

Thanks

The way it reads as long as you place a gear tag on each end of the trotline within 3' of the first and last hook, and a single piece of pool noodle 7" long and 3" in width tied to either end should be good.
It doesn't say you must have a float at both ends, unless you use them as gear tags/float which in that case the float would have to be within 3' of the first and last hook.

If it were me, I'd tag both ends using a 7"X3" pool noodle 3' from my first and last hook of my trotline and be done with it.

That's the way I read it but it seems a little vague. The person writing the tickets might have a different interpretation. If I see a GW I will certainly ask.

I checked my pool noodles, they are only 2 1/2" wide. I'll just go get some small bleach jugs to use for floats and dump the contents in my pool, they are about $1 each.

Been a while since I have ran trotlines. So now you have to have a float attached to make them legal? Seems like an easy way for people to be able to run your lines..

Also easy way for GW to spot them, and check the lines to see if they are legal and not out of date.

You can thank your local bass fishing buddies for the changes. Having to tag trotlines has been in effect for 20+ years. All the nick picky of how and where have come into place with in the last few years. It's been years since I have seen a GW on our lake checking trotlines.

Maybe I’m biased… because I’m not marking a trotline, but I read it you can use tags or floats, if you use a float then the colors apply to commercial/non commercial. Don’t run much lines anymore but the reason I always preferred trotlines was because you could hide them.

Just curious, what is a (customer number)? I checked my license and don't find a customer number. Are they talking about the "doc #?

Per TPWD for a trotline or jug line the "gear tag must be legible, contain the name and address, or CUSTOMER NUMBER, of the person using the device".

It is on your license. TPWD added the option to use a customer number in place of your personal information.

I think the date is the important part. I found a line last week that had been in the water for years. Most of the hooks had rusted off and the line was thick with algae. If you don't check em or run em take em out...

I guess I was reading it wrong or thinking about it in a different way. Your response made me inquire and call the Game Warden. You are correct, if you use floats for gear tags they just can't be orange. A float is not required. I prefer to keep my gear tag underwater.

Thanks, I was so focused on the Document # that I never looked up to see the customer # above my dang name. Talk about not being able to see the forest for the trees. Time for me to do a Face Palm and go sit in my recliner. Thanks again.

The best & safest thing nowadays as the rules sometimes make you feel like you are operating in the old game called "Twister:", is that you can look up online for the phone number of the Game Warden in charge of the waters you will be fishing. Then call them. If not listed for the body of water you will be fishing, call your local TP&W office & they will look it up on their end & give you the Game Warden's name & number over the water body you are asking for to help clarify rules. The office workers are not official Game Wardens, therefore only a Game Warden can give you clarification, as they are the ones who have to legally interpret the rules & regulations.