I KNOW THIS MAY BE A REPEDITIVE QUESTION , BUT , DOES ANYONE HAVE THE
WRITTEN REGULATION ON USEING MINNOW / BAIT TRAPS FOR ;( PERSONAL );
USE ??? The verbage is not very clear on the SCDNR site. There is info on the site ,but I want to be sure the info is for personal use only , not for sale, and also for SALT WATER USE . I don’t want a DNR officer explaining it to me while writing on that pink slip!!!
GW
all gave some , some gave all–only two offered to die for you, christ for your sins , the soldier for your freedom!!!
Is the use of live bait traps in coastal waters legal? And for whoever has the answer, can you supply a link to the laws that clearly defines the legality and regulations regarding their use?
To me this is pinfish traps that we commonly used for grouper bait back home on the Gulf. I have seen people say they are illegal here in SC, but I have yet to see clear supporting evidence. I have seen posts from previous years by Phin discussing this, but I have not located it in the lawbooks. All I have found is some discussion in the laws regarding “minnow traps” in freshwater.
I’m not going to quote any regs, but IIRC there is a 1" opening limit and no more than traps 5 per person.
Traps checked every 24 hours.
If you need more clarification, give the DNR a call.
This is probably more than you want but here are all the references to minnow traps in the marine resources act (chapter five) of title 50
More can be found on trap placement etc. by looking at the sc code of laws on line. Freshwater traps are cover in another section of the law. Pin fish traps do not meet the legal maximum allowable opening size as defined for recreational minnow traps. However commercial laws would allow licensed individuals to get permits for traps with different opening sizes and configurations e.g. pinfish traps.
SECTION 50-5-15. Definitions.
As used in this title pertaining to saltwaters
“Minnow trap” means a trap having no opening which has a dimension greater than one inch only when used for taking small finfish for bait.
(A) A person may fish or use the following in the salt waters of this State solely for recreational purposes without being commercially licensed:
(4) minnow traps, drop nets, and dip nets;
(6) no more than two crab traps;
(C) A person may use lawful minnow traps to take fish for a commercial purpose for use as bait without a commercial saltwater fishing license.
SECTION 50-5-550. Trap buoy size, material, catch release feature and identification tag or other identifying information requirements; seizure of unmarked traps.
(A) Other than minnow traps not used for a commercial purpose, and traps with lines attached to a shore based structure and not used for a commercial purpose, each trap set in the waters of this State must have attached to it a buoy made of solid, buoyant material which does not sink if punctured or if cracked. A spherical or nonspherical primary buoy must be attached to each trap. A nonspherical buoy must be at least ten inches in length and five inches in diameter or width. A spherical buoy must be at least six inches in diameter. No plastic, metal, or glass bottles or ju
