Matching floats required for comms?

[crewstation]

On both 9/15 and 9/29, after careful search of previously set buoys, I accidentally "stepped" on a comm's line.  In both instances, I apologized profusely, because the last thing I want to do is make things more difficult for someone trying to make a living.  And in both instances, the gentlemen were understanding (more so on 9/15 than 9/29, but hey, different strokes...).  In both instances, the floats on either end of the comms lines were not even similar.  Just wondering if comms are required to have matching floats on their trotlines.  If not, how is a rec supposed to determine where a comm's line is running?  Identifying a mismatched buoy a half mile away is pretty tough.  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated (by all, I'm sure).  With crabs as fickle as they are, I don't want to waste anyone's efforts or time.

[genecrabman]

You could just wait a few minutes and watch whats going on..

[Mr. Ray III]

Floats should be the same, color, shape, and size, for a trotline.  Like Gene said, stop and watch, thats the best thing to do. 

But are you 100% sure you were looking the end of the guys line?  Could be going off in a different direction and your looking at someone else's buoy. 

If you laid over him because of mis-matched buoys, thats their fault, IMO. 

[crewstation]

You could just wait a few minutes and watch whats going on..

On both occasions, I putted around for close to a half hour before deciding to lay my lines.  Considering the timing of my catch on Thursday, a half hour could have cost me a half bushel.  I don't know the comm rules, but it seems like they must run several very long lines, and it could be close to 45 minutes between runs of a single line. 

[Mr. Ray III]

Depending on how long the line is, it could take that long.  Esp if they cull at the end of each run.

[woolybugger]

I agree that it can be difficult to determine where comm's line are.  In addition to waiting and watching as mentioned above I always ask any comm's in the area where their lines are laid. I explain that I want to make sure I give them plenty of space and not cross over their lines.  I never had a comm.  give me a hard time when I ask them in that way.  Can't say the same for other rec's though.

[rollinrock]

they are usually decent about it when you ask them. as a matter a fact i usually have one ask me where my line is about every other time i go. they dont want to lay over yours any more than you want to lay over theirs. alot of work to pick up a crab line you know. not to mention a huge waste of time.

[Dreampixels]

Courtesy goes both ways - normally it pays off - those are my findings and practice

Give and Ye shall receive

[saltysenior]

better watch and ask..    even if someone had all matching floats, 2 or 3 lines in the same local would be a problem to figure out w/out watching them run the sets...