Section 57.985 - Spotted Seatrout - Special Provisions(a) On the effective date of this section, the provisions of § 57.981(c)(5)(O)(iv) of this title (relating to Bag, Possession, and Length Limits) cease effect and no person may retain a spotted seatrout of 28 inches in length or greater except as provided in this section. To the extent that any provision of this section conflicts with any provision of § 57.981(c)(5)(O) of this title, this section controls.(b) The provisions of subsections (c) - (f) of this section take effect September 1, 2024.(c) During a license year, a person may retain one spotted seatrout of greater than 28 inches in length, provided: (1) a properly executed Spotted Seatrout Tag, a properly executed Exempt Angler Spotted Seatrout Tag, or properly executed Duplicate Exempt Spotted Seatrout Tag has been affixed to the fish; and(2) one spotted seatrout exceeding the length limit established by subsection (a) of this section in addition to a spotted seatrout retained under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this section, provided a properly executed Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag or properly executed Duplicate Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag has been affixed to the fish.(3) A spotted seatrout retained under a Spotted Seatrout Tag, an Exempt Angler Spotted Seatrout Tag, a Duplicate Exempt Spotted Seatrout Tag, or a Bonus Spotted Seatrout Tag may be retained in addition to the daily bag and possession limit as provided in § 57.981(c)(5)(O) of this title.(d) A person who lawfully takes a spotted seatrout under a digital license issued under the provisions of §53.3(a)(12) this title (relating to Super Combination Hunting and Fishing License Packages) or under a lifetime license with the digital tagging option provided by § 53.4(a)(1) of this title (relating to Lifetime Licenses) that exceeds the maximum length limit established in § 57.981(c)(5)(O) of this title is exempt from any requirement of Parks and Wildlife Code or this subchapter regarding the use of license tags for that species; however, that person shall immediately upon take ensure that a harvest report is created and submitted via a mobile or web application provided by the department for that purpose. If the absence of data connectivity prevents the receipt of a confirmation number from the department following the report required by this subparagraph, the person who took the spotted seatrout is responsible for ensuring that the report required by this subsection is uploaded to the department immediately upon the availability of network connectivity.(e) It is an offense for any person to possess a spotted seatrout exceeding the maximum length established by this section under a digital license or digital tagging option without being in immediate physical possession of an electronic device that is: (1) loaded with the mobile or web application designated by the department for harvest reporting under this section; and(2) capable of uploading the harvest report required by this section.(f) A person who is fishing under a license identified in § 53.4(a)(1) of this title and selected the fulfilment of physical tags must comply with the tagging requirements of this chapter that are applicable to the tagging of spotted seatrout under a license that is not a digital license.31 Tex. Admin. Code § 57.985
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 47, Number 11, March 18, 2022, TexReg 1463, eff. 3/22/2022; Repealed by Texas Register, Volume 48, Number 27, July 7, 2023, TexReg 3697, eff. 7/11/2023; Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 33, August 16, 2024, TexReg 6248, eff. 9/1/2024