Got a question on interpretation of regs for tagging trotlines. It says the gear tag should be within 3' of the first and last hook. So if I have a trotline sitting in 20 feet of water, my tag can be below the surface. It does not have to be above the surface right? And it does not have to be a bouy or float. It can be anything that is as durable as the device itself. The reason I ask is if I ever want to set a trotline in deep water with floats on both ends I want to make sure Im legit with the gear tag.

I usually just cut a piece of plastic and write the information on it with a premanent marker and tie it to each end of the line, I never put floats or a bouy on my lines

for the tag to in 3 foot of the first & last hook it would hafta be under water ... however most game wardens will allow you to use your trotline jug as the gear tag ... BTW a trotline without a jug or float is illegal ... so why tag it?