http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/08/08.02.03.03.htm08.02.03.03
.03 Trotlines.
A. An individual may not set or fish a trotline, crab net ring, or collapsible crab trap within 100 feet of another individual's trotline.
B. The length of a trotline is measured along the bait line.
C. In the coastal bays of the Atlantic Ocean and their tidal tributaries:
(1) An individual may not use or possess on board a vessel a trotline or trotlines with a baited portion more than 600 feet in length to catch or attempt to catch crabs for recreational purposes; or
(2) If two or more individuals are on a boat, not more than two trotlines with a baited portion more than 600 feet each may be used or possessed on board a vessel to catch or attempt to catch crabs for recreational purposes.
D. In the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries:
(1) Trotline gear may only be used to catch or attempt to catch crabs:
(a) For commercial purposes by an individual licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
(b) For recreational purposes by an individual licensed in accordance with Regulation .09 of this chapter, or an individual on a boat licensed as a Chesapeake Bay sport fishing boat license;
(2) An individual licensed to catch crabs for recreational purposes may not use or possess on board a vessel a trotline or trotlines with a baited portion more than 1,200 feet in length to catch or attempt to catch crabs for recreational purposes; and
(3) The trotline gear used from the boat may not exceed 1,200 feet in length for the baited portion:
(a) Regardless of the number of individuals licensed to catch crabs for recreational purposes on a boat;
(b) If the boat is licensed as a recreational crabbing boat; or
(c) If the boat is licensed as a Chesapeake Bay sport fishing boat.
E. An individual licensed to catch crabs for commercial purposes may catch crabs for recreational purposes by trotline in accordance with the provisions of this regulation without paying the fee for recreational crabbing set forth in Regulation .09 of this chapter.
F. Float Requirements.
(1) A trotline shall have a float of the same color, size, and shape attached to each end.
(2) Floats that have a round or spherical shape shall be at least 12 inches in diameter.
(3) Floats that do not have a round or spherical shape shall be at least 12 inches long and 10 inches wide.
