Texas recreational crabbing regulations questions 10-29-21

[Saltydog Too]

Recently retired, my wife and I are working on moving back to the coast of our native Texas from the Maryland Eastern Shore (Delmarva Peninsula). I am an avid crabber. But I am finding the Texas crabbing regulations to be confusing insofar as they do not seem to address methods and equipment commonly used by recreational crabbers here in the Chesapeake Bay country. I’m hoping someone here is familiar with the regs and equipment and can provide some insight. My questions are as follows:

(1) The “crab trap” described in TX regs is what is known here as a “crab pot,” which is a passive device that can only be used here by commercial watermen.  But the TX regs do not appear to address active traps such as collapsible traps or ring traps, which are used by recreational crabbers. Does anyone know if TX regs make a distinction between these types of active and passive traps, and if so, how many collapsible traps/crab rings is a recreational crabber permitted to use?  On the Chesapeake, I’m allowed to use 30 traps (e.g., collapsible or ring traps) but crab pots can only be used commercially.

(2) TX regs do not address the use of a crabbing trot line, which is the oldest and still popular method of catching crabs by both commercial and recreational crabbers on the Chesapeake. A (crabbing) trot line as constructed is inconsistent with the Texas definition of a trotline. It is simply a line (up to 1200 ft. here) baited every 6 to 10 ft. with chicken necks, eel or bagged razor clams, which is anchored at both ends and marked with buoys. There are, of course no hooks or lateral lines. The crabber’s boat is fitted with a roller on an outrigger. The line is lifted at the end and placed on the roller, and the boat runs parallel to the line. As the line is lifted to the roller while underway, the crab is netted off of the bait before it breaks the surface (or the crab will drop off). So, is this a legal method in TX, and if so, how many feet of trot line is permissible?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

[BJ1fish]

Crab Line

A baited line with no hook attached.

No restrictions.

 We run a 1200 foot line and have been checked by the game wardens . The only thing the said is we could not use plastic floats. Pots  are called traps on the Gulf Coast.

Umbrella Net

A non-metallic mesh net that is suspended horizontally in the water by multiple lines attached to a rigid frame.

Legal only for taking NONGAME fish and other aquatic animal life including crabs, crayfish, and shrimp.May not have within the frame an area that exceeds 16 square feet.  

 Above is the regulations for ring nets. No limit on the number of nets you can run.


Folding Panel Traps
 Only crabs may be taken.Overall surface area (including panels) may not exceed 16 square feet.

 This is the only regulations I found for traps. I would assume you can use open traps as long as they don't exceed 16 square feet. Dont take my word on this one call Parks and Wildlife to verify.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/general-rules-regulations/legal-devices-for-fish

[Saltydog Too]

Appreciate your input!