As an avid angler and shrimping enthusiast, I know that using the right bait is key to catching shrimp. Through trial and error over the years, I’ve learned what works best to attract shrimp to my line. In this article, I’ll share everything I know about how to bait for shrimp effectively.
Choosing the Best Baits for Shrimp
When it comes to baiting up for shrimp, you have a few great options:
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Live shrimp – This is the absolute best bait to use if shrimp are what you’re after The scent of live shrimp attracts others to your line, Hook one through the shell or tail to keep it lively
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Dead shrimp – Fresh dead shrimp can be just as effective as live Cut up the shrimp bodies into small pieces to allow maximum scent dispersal in the water
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Fish scraps – Small chunks of fresh fish like mullet or croaker make excellent shrimp bait The blood and oils attract shrimp looking for an easy meal.
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Squid – Shrimp love squid, so cut up some fresh or frozen squid into 1-2 inch pieces. The more liquid and scent released, the better.
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Clam necks – These are super cheap and available at most tackle shops. Break them into thumbnail-sized chunks and thread on your hook.
Rigging Your Shrimp Bait
Proper rigging is key to keeping your shrimp bait secure on the hook and in one piece for as long as possible. Here are the best rigging methods:
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For live shrimp, hook through the head or shell to allow maximum movement.
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Thread dead shrimp onto the hook from head to tail to keep the body intact.
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Cut fish scraps and squid into strips and chunks that cover the entire hook shank.
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Break clam necks into small pieces and stack 4-5 pieces on the hook.
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Use a small #4-2/0 circle hook for best bait hooking. The circular design helps keep bait in place.
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For added security, use pantyhose or bait thread to wrap around shrimp and other baits on the hook. This prevents slippage.
Preparing Your Tackle for Shrimp
You don’t need heavy tackle to fish for shrimp. Here’s the basic shrimp fishing gear I recommend:
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A 6-10 lb test monofilament or braided line
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A light 1/4-1 ounce sinker
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Small #4-2/0 baitholder or circle hooks
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A fish finder or carolina rig with 18-30 inch leader
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Fluorcarbon leader if fishing around a lot of structure
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A medium 7 foot spinning rod for good bait casting distance
The lightweight tackle allows baits to move freely in the water and helps you feel subtle bites. Staying sensitive is key when shrimp fishing.
Finding the Shrimp and Getting Bites
Now for the fun part – finding shrimp and getting them to bite your baits! Follow these tips:
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Target structures like docks, grass flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where shrimp congregate.
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Look for bait fish activity at the surface which often means shrimp are feeding below.
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Shrimp become most active at dawn and dusk, so focus efforts during those times.
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Cast baits toward structure and allow to settle on the bottom.
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Wait 15-30 seconds then slowly retrieve the bait a few feet off the bottom.
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Use light taps or shakes of the rod tip to impart action and attract strikes.
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Pay close attention to your line and rod for light ticking bites. Shrimp nibbles can be very subtle.
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Set the hook immediately on any abnormal feeling or motion of the bait. Use a sweeping hookset to get a good catch.
Putting It All Together
Follow this checklist when baiting up and fishing for shrimp for best results:
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Select fresh natural baits like live/dead shrimp, fish scraps, squid, or clam.
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Rig baits properly on a small circle hook completely covering the hook point.
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Use light tackle that allows baits to move freely and helps detect bites.
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Target shrimp hangouts like docks and grassy structure during dusk, dawn, and night.
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Cast baits toward structure then lightly bounce them off the bottom.
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Stay alert to detect shy shrimp bites. Set the hook immediately on any unnatural bait motion.
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Check and rebait frequently if bait comes back untouched. Persistence pays off.
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Putting the hook all the way through the top of the shrimp’s head is one way to catch it alive. This way of fishing is best for bottom fishing, but the shrimp is more likely to slip off the hook. When drift fishing or float-rigging, put the hook through the shrimp’s body across the middle. Avoid the dark spots that look like the stomach and pancreas. If you want to catch cruising fish, cut off the fan on the shrimp’s tail and thread the hook through it. Then, poke it out the bottom. If the shrimp are frozen or dead, cut off the head, feet, and tail fan. Then, thread the hook through the rest of the body. For more tips, like how to store live shrimp, read on.
Keeping Live Shrimp
- What kind of hook would work best for this? Michael Reynolds is the owner of Long Beach, California’s Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds and a professional fishing instructor. In the more than 40 years that Michael has been fishing, he has learned a lot about the different ways to fish. He loves teaching people, from newbies to experts, what he knows about fishing. Michael is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and has been a fishing guide and teacher for more than five years. The best hooks for fishing shrimp for bait are J-style hooks, according to Michael Reynolds, a professional fishing instructor.
- Michael Reynolds is the owner of Long Beach, California’s Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds and a professional fishing instructor. How do I keep the shrimp from flying off the hook? The answer is: In the more than 40 years that Michael has been fishing, he has learned a lot about the different ways to fish. He loves teaching people, from newbies to experts, what he knows about fishing. Michael is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and has been a fishing guide and teacher for more than five years. Answer from Michael Reynolds, Professional Fishing Instructor: Wrap the shrimp in sewing thread so it doesn’t fall off when you cast. The color of the thread should match the color of the shrimp—orange is the #1 color that I use.
- Professional Fishing Instructor Michael Reynolds owns Long Beach, California’s Fishing Lessons by Michael Reynolds and is a professional fishing instructor. How do I get more fish to bite shrimp? In the more than 40 years that Michael has been fishing, he has learned a lot about the different ways to fish. He loves teaching people, from newbies to experts, what he knows about fishing. Michael is licensed and bonded with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and has been a fishing guide and teacher for more than five years. Expert Answer from Michael Reynolds: As soon as the anchor is down, run to the front of the boat and throw out the line with the shrimp on it. Let that sink to the bottom. There will be a lot of fish looking for food there because the anchor made a cloud of trash.
- If you want to catch live shrimp, use the smallest and lightest hook possible for that type of fish. This will let the shrimp swim as freely as possible for as long as possible. In general, the bigger and stronger the hook should be, the harder the fish’s mouth is. In these situations, you may also want to use a treble hook instead of a single hook. Most of the time, you won’t need a hook bigger than 3/0 or 4/0. [8] [9] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
- Find out if there are bait shops in the area you want to fish that sell bait shrimp. Also, find out if there are any rules about using shrimp as bait in your area. [10] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
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How To Hook Shrimp The CORRECT Way
How do you make shrimp bait?
How do you make shrimp bait balls? 1) Put 3 cups of Super Bait shrimp bait pellets in a zip lock bag and add 1 cup of Pro Cure shrimp Attractant Oil in the zip lock bag. Soak the pellets for one hour before shrimping. 2) After the pellets soak for one hour, put the pellets in the 6” bait barrel. Hang the bait barrel from the inside of the
Where to buy live shrimp bait?
Live shrimp can be found almost all quality bait shops that are near the coast line. They are of caught in the Gulf of Mexico and shipped across the state to be used as bait. Pros of Live Shrimp. Available at most bait shops – Most quality bait shops will carry live shrimp, very high quality shops will carry a variety in size.
Can you eat bait shrimp?
Shrimp from a non-Gulf state or different country is considered imported and can not be used as bait. While not harmful to humans when eaten, imported shrimp may carry several known viruses or diseases that can be transmitted to native Gulf shrimp species (and other shellfish such as crabs and crawfish).