In other places any air supply is legal to use while grabbin' and diving opens a wider depth option to work in.
When you have neutral bouyancy in the water a good fish can really take you for a ride.I've even had a lot of fun with a rod and reel underwater with smaller fish because they can swim all around or over you.
Many places have no legal noodling at all.
I'd advise anyone to check game laws closely before noodling.I stay within the law and on a friendly basis with the game wardens.Many wardens I've known have been a lot of help to me and a few have become good friends over the years.I don't think I would be able to say that if I didn't go by the letter of the law.
"I've even had a lot of fun with a rod and reel underwater with smaller fish because they can swim all around or over you."
Fun until the fish wraps 20# test line around your neck mulitple times and then pulls hard.