this might seem like a dumb question but for the first time I got a trot line tag. Does the tag go on one of the floats and what happens if someone takes it? Also, the new regulations don’t say anything about white floats the first half of the month then yellow after the fifteenth .It only says white, a change from past regulations?
Contact DNR they should be able to answer these questions.
Also, Float can not be hollow/sinkable (no milk jugs, Bleach bottles) if puctured. I ordered foam/pvc floats on line, they work great. Didn’t know the color change, so I used yellow last weekend at the lake. Guess I can go back to white.
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
how about the 7/16" gap required on Moultrie and Marion? maybe 2/0 circle hooks?
I use to trotline commercially on moultrie. There’s a lot to it. But I ran straight hooks not circle 1 every 2-4 ft you don’t want them to close together. Weight you bottom lines good and you have to use white or yellow trotline boys.
Scout
PALMERS SEAFOOD
I pulled this off the web… Not sure there Q-T got the info where you no longer have to change from white to yellow floats, but this is what I pulled up. This could be outdated info on the DNR website, but I doubt it because I dont remember reading in the past where the 25 hook marker had to be international orange before now, although I usually fish my trotline alone and rarely do more than 20 hooks at a time…
These are the floats I use. I order white and paint them with spray paint to get the color I need. They wour well and are easy to see from far off, even though my GPS puts me on top of them…http://www.easternmarineoutlet.com/4-3-4-x-10-5-8-bullet-nose-end-rope-crabbing-float-white
Copied from DNR website…
Trotlines, traps, eel pots, gill nets and hoop nets must be marked
with a floating marker with a minimum capacity of one quart
and a maximum capacity of one gallon or equivalent size and
must be made of solid, buoyant material which does not sink if
punctured or cracked. The floating markers must be constructed
of plastic, PVC Spongex, plastic foam or cork. No hollow buoys
or floats including plastic, metal or glass bottles or jugs may be
used except manufactured buoys or floats specifically designed
for use with nongame fishing devices; these may be hollow if
constructed of heavy duty plastic material and approved by the
SCDNR. The floating markers must be colored white when used
the 1st through the 15th of the month and yellow when used the
remainder of the month. The owner?s name and address must
be marked clearly on each floating marker.
? A commercial trotline must be marked at intervals of every
50 hooks with an international orange float. A recreational
trotline must be marked at intervals of every 25 hooks with an
international orange float. In both cases, the end marks must
conform to the white and yellow marking scheme.
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
As far a where to place the tag, I have questioned this for years because the rules and regs do not tell you this. I have questioned several DNR officers and they have all told me to put the tag on one of my end floats so the tag can be seen w/o pulling the line. Do not take this as the correct location because again, I have not found this written anywhere…
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
7/16ths gap hook requirement still applies. The circle hook loop hole satisfies the letter of the law, but be careful that the gap is really 7/16" or less.
If I read it right, in the newly approved bill:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess120_2013-2014/bills/304.htm
Markings requirements revised
SECTION 8. Section 50-13-620(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 114 of 2012, is further amended to read:
“(A) A trotline, trap, eel pot, gill net, and hoop net must be marked with a white floating marker not less than a capacity of one quart and not more than a capacity of one gallon and must be made of solid, buoyant material that does not sink if punctured or cracked. A floating marker must be constructed of plastic, PVC spongex, plastic foam, or cork. A hollow buoy or float, including plastic, metal, or glass bottles or jugs, must not be used, except that a manufactured buoy or float specifically designed for use with nongame fishing devices may be hollow if constructed of heavy duty plastic material and approved by the department. The owner’s name and department customer identification number must be legible on each of the white floating markers. Both commercial and recreational fishermen shall comply with provisions of this title pertaining to the marking and use of a nongame fishing device. A trotline must be marked on both ends. A commercial trotline must be marked at intervals of every fifty hooks. A commercial trotline which uses fifty or fewer hooks must be marked at intervals of twenty-five hooks. A recreational trotline must be marked at intervals of every twenty-five hooks. Each interval float must be ‘International Orange’ in color.”
Blackwaterkatz
Yeah, that does not mention yellow floats at all… I will research a little more to be on the safe side… I have to run over to the DNR office on Ft Johnson Rd next week, so I will see if I can get a final answer… I will also see if they have a color sample for international orange so I paint my middle bouy the right shade of orange…lol
I wonder if they would get mad if I put a white tiger paw on my orange float?
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
I say all systems go with the PAW!
After talking with a DNR Officer, The tag goes on one of the end floats… It was a no go on the tiger paw (I think he was a Coot Fan!!)
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
appreciate all the info! now I’ve gotta take my pocket ruler and find some hooks with no more than 7/16" gap that have an eye big enough for the drop line