Shrimp is a versatile bait that can catch everything from massive redfish to feisty speckled trout. Anglers have relied on live shrimp for years to attract inshore species. However live shrimp can be hard to find or prohibitively expensive at times. This is where frozen shrimp comes in handy as an easy, convenient bait option. But can you effectively fish with frozen shrimp?
The short answer is yes – frozen shrimp makes excellent bait for inshore saltwater species when fished properly. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover when and how to fish with frozen shrimp to catch more fish.
Why Try Frozen Shrimp for Bait?
Here are some of the benefits of keeping frozen shrimp in your bait arsenal
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Convenience – Frozen shrimp can be bought anywhere and keeps for months in the freezer. No need to make special trips to the bait shop.
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Consistency – The size and quality of frozen shrimp is consistent compared to inconsistencies you get with live shrimp batches.
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Affordability – Pound for pound, frozen shrimp is significantly cheaper than live. Save money on bait costs.
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Accessibility – Frozen shrimp can be lifesaver when live shrimp is unavailable or illegal to harvest due to seasonal restrictions.
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Versatility – Dead shrimp of any kind stays on the hook better than live. You can also easily add scents or flavoring.
Now that you know the advantages of using frozen shrimp, let’s look at how to rig it.
How to Rig Frozen Shrimp for Fishing
Follow this simple procedure for rigging frozen shrimp:
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Take a thawed, peeled shrimp and tear off the tail section.
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Insert the hook carefully through the center hole where the tail was detached.
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Push the hook through so the eye exits the top center of the shrimp body.
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Make sure the shrimp sits straight on the hook for a natural presentation.
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For added security, you can insert the hook point into the head of the shrimp.
Once rigged, frozen shrimp looks and behaves similar to live shrimp. Use a 1/4 to 1/2 ounce jighead to match the shrimp size. The extra weight will help cast it far from shore.
Best Techniques for Fishing Frozen Shrimp
There are two go-to methods for fishing frozen shrimp:
Slow bouncing along the bottom – Let the jig head sink to the bottom, then hop it 12-18 inches by lifting the rod tip. Pause before slowly lowering it down. Repeat to imitate a live shrimp crawling along.
Freelining – Cast out the shrimp and allow it to slowly sink near structure, docks, oyster beds. Leave slack in the line and wait for pickups. Freelining works well from an anchored boat or kayak.
Tip: Try enhancing frozen shrimp with scent attractants like shrimp juice, fish oil, or bait spray. This helps fish detect it faster.
Best Fish Species To Target With Frozen Shrimp
Virtually all predatory inshore fish will readily devour frozen shrimp. Top targets include:
- Redfish
- Speckled Trout
- Snook
- Flounder
- Black Drum
- Sheepshead
- Mangrove Snapper
- Jack Crevalle
- Tarpon
Frozen shrimp also catches catfish, but focus on deeper water, slower retrieves, and bottom rigs specifically for cats.
Pro Tips for Fishing Success with Frozen Shrimp
Follow these pro tips to maximize success when fishing frozen shrimp:
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Stay in 3-12 ft depths in inlets, bays, marshes, and over submerged structure.
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Focus on warmer weather when fish are actively feeding. Cold water periods can be tougher.
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Fish the early morning and late afternoon peak feeding times when fish are most aggressive.
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Rig shrimp on 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 oz jigheads to match the size of the shrimp and depth.
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Reel slowly and steadily to keep the shrimp moving enticingly along the bottom.
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If fishing is slow, switch to a paddletail trailer for potentially more action.
Best Conditions and Locations for Frozen Shrimp
While frozen shrimp shines in many situations, here are the prime conditions where it really outperforms live bait:
Stained or muddy water – Scent is key when visibility is poor. Frozen shrimp aroma travels farther.
High winds – Rig frozen shrimp on heavier jigs to keep bait in strike zone even in windy conditions.
Fishing docks – Skip frozen shrimp far under docks inaccessible to cast nets.
Deep water – Use extra-large frozen shrimp and big weights to reach bottom in deep water.
Grass flats – Effective bait when scattering shrimp over dense grass where casting nets can’t reach.
In terms of locations, focus on fishing docks, oyster bars, seawalls, mangrove shorelines, and structure like bridge pilings. Anywhere that holds baitfish or shrimp is prime real estate.
Should You Use Frozen Shrimp from the Grocery Store?
Is the frozen shrimp you find in the grocery store suitable for bait? Here are a few things to consider:
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Price – Shrimp sold for eating is often smaller and costs more per pound than bait shop shrimp.
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Preservatives – Grocery store shrimp may contain preservatives that alter smell and taste from pure bait.
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Quality – Bait shrimp is usually frozen on the boat for optimal freshness versus unknown handling procedures for store shrimp.
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Thawing – Bait shop shrimp is glazed for protection unlike grocery bags which leads to freezer burn.
While grocery store shrimp will certainly work and is better than no shrimp, you’ll get better results with bait quality shrimp. But in a pinch, don’t hesitate to grab a bag from the freezer section.
Storing Frozen Shrimp Properly
To prolong shelf life and effectiveness of frozen shrimp:
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Keep frozen shrimp at 0°F or less for maximum freshness.
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Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles which causes faster deterioration.
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Seal shimp in airtight plastic bags with as little air space as possible.
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Place bags flat in freezer rather than stacked to prevent crushing.
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Organize bags according to shrimp sizes to easily grab preferred baits.
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Label bags with date frozen for easy rotation of older inventory.
With proper handling, frozen shrimp will keep 6-12 months in the freezer.
Should You Use Fresh Never Frozen Shrimp?
While fresh never frozen shrimp is preferable, it’s not always feasible. Here are some pros of using fresh shrimp as bait:
Scent – Fresh shrimp has the strongest, most natural scent attractive to fish versus frozen.
Texture – The meat is firmer which keeps it on the hook better through multiple casts.
Color – Fresh shrimp retains a translucent gray color versus the opaque white of thawed frozen.
Movement – It has more lifelike action when freelined or slowly retrieved.
However, the convenience and availability of frozen shrimp makes it a great alternative. Follow the techniques in this guide to get the most out of frozen shrimp.
Catching Your Own Fresh Shrimp
To get the highest quality fresh shrimp for bait:
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Launch your kayak or boat an hour before low tide when shrimp are most active.
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Look for areas with clean sandy or muddy bottoms away from eelgrass to throw the cast net.
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Use small pieces of fresh dead fish or chicken to attract shrimp before throwing the net.
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Keep shrimp cool and alive on ice in aerated livewells until ready to fish.
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Size shrimp to the hook, typically #2-#5 shrimp for inshore fishing.
Catching your own is ideal but not always practical. Having a bag of frozen shrimp on hand gives you a reliable bait source when needed.
Key Takeaways on Fishing Frozen Shrimp
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Thawed and properly rigged, frozen shrimp works excellently for inshore saltwater species.
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Focus on warmer months and low-light periods when fish feed most aggressively.
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Rig on 1/4-3/4oz jigheads and fish along bottom, docks, structure for best action.
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Enhance with scents and switch to paddletails if fishing is slow.
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Store frozen shrimp at 0°F and avoid repeated thaws for longest viability.
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Fresh is best but frozen is a consistent, affordable, convenient alternative.
Now that you know how to maximize your success fishing frozen shrimp, it’s time to stock up. Having a variety of shrimp sizes on hand gives you an effective bait source anytime the fishing itch strikes. Follow this guide to turn your freezer into a virtual 24-hour bait shop.
Next time the fish are finicky or live shrimp is hard to find, tie on some thawed shrimp and be confident you have a bait that will get bit
Imported shrimp can spread deadly White-spot syndrome virus
The White Spot Syndrome Virus is the disease most likely to be spread when shrimp from outside the Gulf of Mexico are brought into Texas waters. As an invasive species concern, there is the potential to transmit the virus into native shrimp populations. The virus hasn’t made its way into Texas ecosystems yet, but it could happen if imported shrimp that are infected with the virus are used as bait.
A shrimp with white spot syndrome (Photo credit: Dr. Lightner)
When introduced into a new aquatic environment, the virus only infects crustaceans like shrimp, crabs and crawfish. Once the virus infects a native crustacean population, rapid mortality occurs within days. This would have devastating consequences for the entire ecosystem. Red fish and spotted seatrout eat a lot of shrimp that are native to Texas. Shrimp are an important part of the marine food web. Because of the interconnectedness of marine populations, when one population suffers, so do others.
Only use shrimp native to the Gulf of Mexico
A lot of people use shrimp as bait when they fish, but not all types of shrimp can be used as bait. Never use imported frozen shrimp in Texas waters. All shrimp species that aren’t native to the Gulf of Mexico are considered imported. This includes shrimp from Venezuela, Thailand, and other states that aren’t in the Gulf of Mexico, like California. Shrimp from a non-Gulf state or different country is considered imported and can not be used as bait.
Some viruses or diseases may be on imported shrimp that can be passed on to native Gulf shrimp species (and other shellfish like crabs and crawfish). Eating imported shrimp is safe for humans. This could cause considerable harm to Texas ecosystems in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Many of these viruses can survive being frozen, so they don’t die when the shrimp from other countries is packed up to be sent to stores.
Check the label — Packaged imported shrimp from another country (or state) should not be used as bait.
The Pacific White Shrimp, also known as the Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), is the most common type of shrimp that is brought in from other countries. It is raised in ponds for food and can be found in many local grocery stores. Other commonly imported species include:
- Pacific blue shrimp (Litopenaeus stylirostris)
- Tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
- Yellowleg shrimp (Farfantepenaeus californiensis)
How To Rig & Fish FROZEN SHRIMP For Inshore Slams
Can you use frozen shrimp for fishing?
Shrimp is one of the most widely used baits for fishing. Some prefer to use live shrimp, but others prefer frozen shrimp. Which is better will depend on what you are fishing for and the fisherman’s preference. Can I Use Frozen Shrimp for Fishing? You can use frozen shrimp as bait when saltwater and freshwater fishing.
How do you fish with frozen shrimp?
(Using Frozen Shrimp as Bait) When fishing with frozen shrimp, there are a few different techniques that you can use. One popular technique is to thread the shrimp onto a jighead. Another technique is to use a slip sinker rig. A slip sinker rig is a fishing rig where the weight is attached to the line with a small piece of plastic.
How do you use frozen shrimp for bait?
Once you have the hook or jighead threaded deep into the body of the shrimp, push the hook out the bottom side of the frozen shrimp. This is the most durable way to use frozen shrimp for bait. Many fish will not be attracted to frozen shrimp bait because it is dead and not moving.
What fish can you catch from frozen shrimp?
Frozen shrimp is usually used to catch sea trout, redfish, black drum, snapper, ta r pon, snook, sheepshead, grouper, and flounder. Many bait shops will take any shrimp that dies in their shrimp holding tanks, bag them, and freeze them, selling them at a discounted price. Another way you can get frozen shrimp bait is from a distributor.