Circle hook regulation question

[FishingFamily]

Hello,

We are just getting back into the GOM fishing after a hiatus of about 20 years. It appears some things have changed, especially regarding circle hooks.

I especially have a question about the new Texas regs.

I (believe I) understand the federal regs--circle hooks required for bottom fishing if using bait (whether tipped on a jig or not), but if using just a jig with no bait then circle hooks aren't required.

But my copy of the Texas regs just says "circle hooks required" for Red Snapper. Does that mean even if a jig is not tipped with bait we need circle hooks? Or is there an exception somewhere that I didn't see?

What about flies? I read about a technique to deep jig flies with a fly rod that I would like to try, but don't have any flies with circle hooks.

Thanks for your help, I imagine its about the 5501st time you'll have answered this question, but couldn't find specifically in the archives, especially the Texas regs.

[Barefootin]

As I understand it, the GOM law concerns only fishing with natural bait for reef fish. J hooks are legal with jigs or flies when not attaching natural bait.
Texas is unique in that it also has state laws for state waters. I have not seen the regs.
Interested though, perhaps post on 2coolfishing.com
I do see the special reg requiring circle hooks for Red Snapper.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publicat...its_saltwater/
I figure that would be end of story.
Easy to rig circles for any application though.
A carolina rigged fly on a circle would be a great experiment.
Best of luck!