I'm wanting to set hoop nets and trot lines south of the saltwater line south of Erath, after talking to LDWF they said all i need is a commercial fishing license and can only keep freshwater species(catfish) which I'm targeting. Is there any other license i would need to keep from getting in trouble with the LDWF? I've read the book on it but theres so much shit and gets confusing, such as vessel license, gear license, etc. All I'm wanting to do is go in the marsh and catch some cats, please give me feedback so I don't get in trouble with the law. Thanks

I think you might need a gear license if it's commercial. I know for crawfish their is a $25 license to fish all the traps you want

Bump, Anyone else want to chime in?

You only need a vessel registration for saltwater commercial fishing.

I thought you only needed commercial to sell em or run more than 2 nets?

So even though I'm fishing south of the freshwater line (Intracoastal), I don't need a vessel license? Again its only for catfish

Call ldwf

Careful who you talk to...sadly you can get some bad info at times. Copy and pasted from the regs....

"A vessel must be licensed whenever engaged in commercial fishing or whenever possessing fish for sale in the saltwater areas of the state."

Its only 15 bucks for vessel license.....

u need a commercial fishing liscense.
vessel liscence since u are south of the icy.
hoop net gear liscense.

that's what i been getting for years, along with a crawfish trap, reptile and amphibian colector, and a couple other things.

A vessel lic. Is only 15 bucks.
the fine for not having one if i remember correctly is 500.plus u loose whatever
Seafood is in the boat.

If your fishing the area you mention, good luck setting hoop nets with an in and out tide. Nets will roll or fill full every grass in the marsh. Fishing jugs or limb lines is a much better way to go about it. DA hit the nail on the head if you really want to do it. Also if you like your nets don't mark them!

Fish hanging nets