Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, theme parks, and of course, amazing seafood Shrimping is a popular activity for residents and visitors alike. From the panhandle to the Keys, there are plenty of great spots to catch shrimp all across the state.
In this article, we’ll cover the top locations, techniques, and everything you need to know about shrimping in Florida. Let’s get started!
Why Catch Your Own Shrimp?
Catching your own wild shrimp has many advantages over buying farmed shrimp
-
Better taste – Freshly caught shrimp have superior flavor and texture that can’t be replicated by farm-raised shrimp.
-
More nutrients – Wild shrimp have higher omega-3s, minerals, and other nutrients than farmed varieties.
-
Sustainable – Responsible shrimping has minimal environmental impact compared to large-scale shrimp farming.
-
Fun activity – The process of shrimping is an engaging outdoor experience and hobby.
-
Save money – Catching your own shrimp is much cheaper than buying them.
Getting out on the water to shrimp is rewarding and puts tasty, healthy seafood on your dinner table.
Best Places to Go Shrimping in Florida
Florida has extensive coastal habitat perfect for shrimping. Here are some of the top spots:
Mosquito Lagoon
Located along the Space Coast, Mosquito Lagoon within Canaveral National Seashore offers prime shrimping amidst a beautiful saltwater estuary. The inland lagoon location means calm waters perfect for cast netting shrimp.
Steinhatchee
The small fishing community of Steinhatchee sits along the Big Bend coastline near Taylor County. The area is revered for excellent shrimping as well as scalloping and fishing charters.
Cedar Key
The islands around Cedar Key on the Gulf Coast host incredible shrimp populations. The bountiful fishing and oysters have made this a historic fishing town. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for cast net shrimping.
Charlotte Harbor
Charlotte Harbor near Fort Myers is a massive estuary with hundreds of mangrove islands. The nutrient-rich waters support huge shrimp populations. Good shrimping areas include Placida Harbor and Gasparilla Pass.
Everglades National Park
Florida Bay within Everglades National Park offers pristine shrimping amidst a true wilderness backdrop. Flamingo is the main launching point, though be prepared for shallow water.
Apalachicola Bay
Apalachicola Bay hosts some of the most productive shrimping grounds along the Gulf Coast. The bay’s seagrass meadows and salt marshes form the nourishing habitat shrimp thrive on.
Biscayne Bay
Miami’s backyard offers decent shrimping opportunities, though affected by development and pollution. Best spots are along the mangrove shorelines in southern parts of the bay near the Florida Keys.
When and How to Catch Shrimp
The best times, techniques and gear for a successful shrimping trip:
-
Time of day – Early morning or night are best when shrimp are active and feeding nearshore.
-
Season – April to October is peak shrimping season in Florida as water warms up.
-
Tides – Try around high tide when shrimp move into shallow waters to feed.
-
Technique – Use a cast net or pull net designed for shrimp. Check local regulations.
-
Bait – No bait needed when using a cast net.
-
Gear – Cast net or pull net, 5 gallon bucket, fishing license, headlamp for night shrimping.
-
Regulations – Most areas allow recreational shrimping. Check current Florida fishing regulations.
-
Stealth – Move slowly and carefully on your boat to not disturb shrimp before you cast your net.
With the right timing and technique, your 5 gallon bucket will quickly fill up with fresh Florida shrimp!
How to Clean and Store Your Catch
Once you’ve caught your shrimp, proper cleaning and storage ensures they stay fresh:
-
Place shrimp on ice in a cooler immediately after catching.
-
To clean, remove heads and shells by hand or use a shrimp deveiner tool.
-
Leave tails intact for grilling shrimp or remove tails for dishes like shrimp salad.
-
Rinse cleaned shrimp under cold water.
-
Store cleaned shrimp in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
-
Place container with shrimp on ice in the refrigerator or freezer.
-
Cook or freeze shrimp within 2 days of catching for best quality. Shrimp can be frozen for 4-6 months.
Follow these steps and your catch will provide incredible shrimp dinners all season long!
Delicious Ways to Cook Your Shrimp
Wild caught Florida shrimp cook up sweet and tender. Here are some tasty shrimp recipes to try:
-
Grilled shrimp – Marinate peeled shrimp in olive oil, lemon, garlic and spices. Grill on skewers for 2-3 minutes per side.
-
Shrimp tacos – Saute shrimp in cajun seasoning and serve in warmed corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, salsa and lime.
-
Shrimp scampi – Saute shrimp with butter, garlic, white wine, parsley and lemon juice over linguine.
-
Coconut shrimp – Coat tails in coconut flour, then panko bread crumbs. Fry 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
-
Shrimp salad – Boil, peel and chop shrimp. Make a dressing of mayo, lemon juice and spices. Toss with shrimp over lettuce or in a sandwich.
-
Shrimp soup – Simmer shrimp shells and tails to make stock. Prepare seafood chowder or gumbo with shrimp meat added at the end.
However you choose to eat them, fresh Florida shrimp make for amazing seafood meals. Get out on the water and haul in your own tasty catch!
