In the freshwater, there are few better baits than the humble shrimp. From spangled perch to Murray cod, all of these fish will eat a shrimp. With some species, like bass and golden perch, it seems like you can catch as many as you have shrimp! It’s pretty easy to collect shrimp, but before you go out and trap them, make sure you know the rules in your state about collecting bait, because they vary from state to state. Most areas allow the use of at least one bait trap with two funnel entrances. The STM Bait Trap Collapsible 60mm 2 Entry has a built-in bait zip and will catch shrimp easily. The Net Factory Yabbie Pyramid Drop Net Steel Frame is more than enough for a little shrimp fishing where lift nets are allowed.
The key to collecting shrimp is to use good quality fresh bait. Shrimp will eat all sorts of stuff, but favour that which has a high oil content. Shrimps will come from far away to eat things like chicken, fish frames, Spam, cat food, and oily fruits like rockmelon.
While setting your traps during the day can be successful, the best shrimping is done at night. You will get the most out of your traps if you check them often (every hour or so). If you notice the numbers of shrimp starting to taper off, freshen up your baits.
Once you have shrimp, you can store them for a long time in a live well, a regular bucket with an aerator, or a bait bucket that can go under water.
When shrimp are on board, you can use one of the best freshwater baits, if not the best one! The next time you go camping near a lake or river, don’t forget to bring shrimp traps! Shrimps are great if lures aren’t working, which happens all too often!
Shrimp can make an excellent bait for freshwater fishing Both live freshwater shrimp and dead saltwater shrimp can produce bites from a variety of popular game fish. But to effectively use shrimp as bait, you need to understand the best techniques and applications.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about using shrimp as bait for freshwater fishing
What Types of Freshwater Fish Will Bite Shrimp?
Many popular freshwater game fish will readily bite shrimp baits. Here are some of the main species to target:
- Bass – Largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, striped, and white bass will eat both live and dead shrimp.
- Panfish – Bluegills, crappie, yellow perch, and other sunfish devour live shrimp. Pieces of dead shrimp work well too.
- Trout – Rainbow, brown, brook, and other trout species feed on shrimp in the wild. Use live or bits of dead shrimp.
- Catfish – From small bullheads to heavyweight flatheads, catfish of all types love the smell and taste of dead shrimp.
- Carp – Common carp are shrimp-eating machines and dead shrimp makes irresistible carp bait.
So shrimp can catch all of the most sought-after freshwater fish. And as a bonus, other species like walleye, chain pickerel, and even muskie may also be tempted.
Live Freshwater Shrimp vs. Dead Saltwater Shrimp
There are two main types of shrimp baits for freshwater – live freshwater shrimp and dead saltwater shrimp. Here’s how they compare:
Live freshwater shrimp are best for active predators like bass trout walleye, etc. They move erratically on the hook which triggers strikes. And shrimp are a natural prey item that game fish recognize.
Dead saltwater shrimp works better for bottom feeders like catfish, carp, and bullheads. Though panfish like bluegills will also bite pieces. Dead shrimp gives off a strong scent trail to draw in fish.
So in most cases, live freshwater shrimp is superior for finicky, sight-feeding game fish. While dead saltwater shrimp works better for scavengers focused on scent and taste.
Best Fishing Techniques for Freshwater Shrimp
To get the most out of shrimp baits, you need to match the technique to the bait type:
Live Freshwater Shrimp
- Casting – Hook the shrimp through the tail and cast near structure. The shrimp’s movements will trigger strikes.
- Drifting – Let the current carry the shrimp to fish holding in riffles and eddies.
- Under a Bobber – The bobber keeps the shrimp suspended off bottom and in open water.
Dead Saltwater Shrimp
- Bottom Fishing – Use enough weight to hold bottom and keep the shrimp in the strike zone.
- Drifting – Drift chunks of shrimp into holes and other deep spots where cats prowl.
- Suspended – Try suspending dead shrimp under a bobber for bluegills.
No matter which approach you use, focus on keeping the shrimp bait acting naturally while optimizing visibility and sent dispersion. This is what triggers the most fish to bite.
Best Freshwater Habitats for Shrimp
Shrimp can produce fish in many types of water. But here are a few of the best habitats to focus your efforts:
- Backwaters – Great for finding hungry largemouth bass looking for an easy meal.
- Flats – Shallow flats get warmer and hold loads of cruising fish like bluegills.
- Riprap – Rocky banks provide cover and also attract bait like shrimp.
- Docks – Check around docks and pilings to find ambush predators.
- Holes – Deep holes often hold catfish and carp waiting for food to drift down.
Start in areas that naturally hold the species you’re targeting. But don’t be afraid to experiment in less prime looking spots too. You never know where those shrimp eaters may be lurking.
3 Shrimp Fishing Tips and Tricks
To maximize your success, keep these shrimp fishing tips in mind:
Match the Hook Size – Smaller live shrimp work best on smaller hooks, like a #6-#10. For larger dead shrimp, scale up to a 1/0 circle hook.
Add a Stinger Hook – Use a stinger treble hook on the tail of live shrimp to increase hookup ratios on light bites.
Enhance Frozen Shrimp – Consider soaking dead frozen shrimp in shrimp oil or scent to make it more appealing.
Is It Legal to Use Shrimp for Bait?
In most areas, it is perfectly legal to use shrimp as bait while freshwater fishing. However, always check your local bait regulations before fishing. Some key things to look out for:
- It is usually illegal to use shrimp not native to the body of water.
- Importing shrimp across state lines may be prohibited.
- There are often restrictions on using live shrimp as bait.
- Check size and possession limits if trapping your own shrimp.
As long as the shrimp is legally obtained and native, in most places you can use it for bait once on the water. But again, confirm this for the specific area you’ll be fishing.
Shrimp is a versatile bait that can catch a wide variety of freshwater fish species. When used properly, live freshwater shrimp and dead saltwater shrimp can be a deadly offering. Just match your approach to the target fish and local conditions. Focus on active fishing techniques to trigger aggressive strikes. With the right strategies, a shrimp bait is sure to attract some hungry fish on your next freshwater fishing trip.
Store-bought Shrimp as Catfish Bait: What You Need To Know
Can you use shrimp as bait in freshwater fishing?
Yes, you can use shrimp as bait in freshwater fishing. Many anglers use shrimp when fishing for bass and noodling for catfish. Freshwater shrimp are an excellent bait for catching fish. Lively, bright-colored shrimps make natural prey of everything from panfish to trout and bass in some bodies of water!
Can you fish with shrimp?
Live freshwater shrimp can be a great bait option for bass, panfish, catfish, trout, and trout. Dead saltwater shrimp can be a great bait option for catfish, bluegills, and even carp. If you are going to fish with shrimp, you must know how to effectively use it. Read on to get a complete understanding of shrimp as a potential freshwater bait item.
Can you use frozen shrimp as bait?
You can use frozen shrimp as bait when saltwater and freshwater fishing. Frozen shrimp can be an effective bait for catching a variety of fish species, particularly those that are bottom-dwelling or feed on crustaceans.
Can you use saltwater shrimp to catch fish?
If you wish to catch active predators such as trout and bass, do not use saltwater shrimp. They will not work. With saltwater shrimp, you will have to target scavenging type fish species such as bluegills, catfish and bullheads. It is true that cat bait, minnows and worms work better for catching bullheads and catfish.