Ghost shrimp, also known as glass shrimp, are a popular bait shrimp found along the Pacific and Gulf Coasts. Their translucent bodies make them resemble tiny ghosts, hence the name. While they only grow to about 1-2 inches long, ghost shrimp make excellent bait for catching larger fish species like trout, redfish, flounder, and more. They are abundant, easy to catch, and free!
In this comprehensive guide you’ll learn everything you need to know about identifying collecting, and using ghost shrimp for bait. With just a few simple tools and traps, you can easily harvest hundreds of these lively little critters from local beaches and estuaries. Let’s get started!
What are Ghost Shrimp?
Ghost shrimp, or glass shrimp, are small shrimp belonging to the genus Callichirus. There are a few species found along the Western Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America. They live in shallow, muddy burrows in intertidal estuaries and mudflats.
During the day, ghost shrimp stay hidden in their burrows. At night they emerge to hunt microorganisms and organic matter in the sediment. Their burrows are identified by small mud mounds and tiny holes. Ghost shrimp can be found in bays harbors, and beaches from Alaska to Mexico.
Some key facts about ghost shrimp:
- Average size is 1-2 inches long as adults
- Translucent, pale bodies with a sandy/gray tint
- Large claws for digging burrows
- Found in Pacific Coast estuaries from Alaska to Baja
- Abundant and easy to catch for bait
Now that you know exactly what ghost shrimp are, let’s go over the best practices for collecting them!
When and Where to Catch Ghost Shrimp
Best Times Early morning and evening when the tide is out
Best Locations: Intertidal mudflats, estuaries, harbors, and beaches with muddy or sandy sediment
Best Conditions: Low tide during spring and summer months
The best time to catch ghost shrimp is during low tides in the early morning or evening when they are most active. Spring and summer months are ideal as the populations boom in the warmer weather. Focus your efforts on beaches, harbors, and estuaries with muddy or sandy sediment where you see small holes and mud mounds.
Pay attention to the tide charts and aim to reach optimal locations about 2 hours before the low tide point. This ensures ample exposed collecting grounds before the water starts to rise again. You want to target areas that were very recently covered by at least 12-24 inches of water.
Collecting Tools and Traps
To collect ghost shrimp, you’ll need a few simple tools:
- Small fishing nets or minnow traps
- Shovel or rake
- Bucket with a lid
- Aeration (optional) – battery powered or manual water pump
Fishing Nets: A fine mesh bait fish net or shrimp net with 1/4″ holes works perfectly. Slowly sweep the net through muddy areas dislodging shrimp.
Minnow Traps: Set traps partially buried in exposed tidal flats. Bait with fish scraps. Leave for 30-60 minutes before collecting.
Shovel & Rake: Dig into muddy burrows and rake sediment to agitate shrimp so they leap up where you can catch them with a net.
Step-by-Step Catching Method
Follow these steps for the most effective ghost shrimp catching:
1. Choose Location & Time
Pick a beach, harbor, or estuary with muddy sediment and go 2 hours before low tide.
2. Look for Burrows
Scan for the small mud mounds and holes that mark ghost shrimp burrows. This is where you’ll focus your efforts.
3. Set Minnow Traps (optional)
Bury minnow traps 1/2 way in the exposed sediment. Leave for 30-60 minutes before collecting.
4. Agitate Sediment
Use your shovel or rake to dig into the mud and stir up the sediment around burrows.
5. Catch Shrimp
Shrimp will leap up where you can catch them with a sweeping motion of your net. Work quickly before they re-burrow!
6. Transfer to Bucket
Gently transfer shrimp from net to bucket. Use aerated water if holding more than 15 minutes.
7. Collect Trap Contents
Retrieve any minnow traps you’ve set and transfer shrimp to bucket.
Rinse and repeat the process until you’ve collected the amount of shrimp needed!
Tips for Maximizing Your Catch
- Go early – shrimp activity peaks around dawn and dusk
- Work quickly – shrimp re-burrow fast when disturbed
- Use flashlights at night – lights will draw shrimp to the surface
- Bring 2 people – one to agitate, one to catch
- Kneel down – you’ll be able to see shrimp better up close
- Use bait in traps – fish scraps work well
- Keep shrimp aerated – improves survival
- Return non-target creatures – release crabs, fish, etc unharmed
Storing and Keeping Ghost Shrimp Alive
Ghost shrimp are hearty and can survive several hours out of the water if kept cool and damp. For storage:
- Keep shrimp in aerator bucket or change water frequently
- Use ice packs and wrap bucket in a towel if no aeration
- Place damp paper towels or seaweed on top
- Keep in shade or cooler at all times
- Transport in insulated bait container
If keeping longer than a few hours:
- Maintain vigorous aeration
- Use ice to keep water cool
- Avoid overcrowding
Using Ghost Shrimp for Bait
Ghost shrimp make excellent live bait for a variety of fish species:
- Seatrout
- Redfish
- Sheepshead
- Flounder
- Snapper
- Drum
Hooking: Thread shrimp onto the hook entering at the tail and exiting at the head. Use a #6-2 baitholder hook.
Fishing Tips: Fish shrimp baits under a popping cork, on the bottom with enough weight to hold, or on a fish finder rig. Target structure like docks, grass flats, and rocky areas. Set your drag light for bite detection.
Storage: Keep shrimp lively until use by aerating, changing water, and keeping cool. Refrigerate only if using within 12-24 hours.
Ghost Shrimp Pumping Tutorial
Neotrypaea californiensis (Ghost Shrimp), are often thought of when fisherman think of sturgeon. When you’re after these extinct animals, ghost, grass, and mud shrimps are great bait. This tutorial on pumping ghost shrimp will give you all the information you need to get started!
“Ghost shrimp live in marine sloughs and bay flats on the west coast of North America. They dig holes in the seafloor.” These burrows protect the shrimps’ soft, white bodies. More importantly, the shrimp find food in the sediments and the water that flows through the burrows as they move. ” –.
Range: Alaska to Baja California in the intertidal zone or mud flats
Ghost and mud shrimp can be found on sandy and mudflats through out California. Here are a few locations where they can be found in Northern California:
- Moss Landing
- Crown Beach (Alameda)
- Alviso (North San Jose)
- Alameda Rock Wall
- Half Moon Bay
- Tomales bay
- Bodega bay
However, Ghost Shrimp can be found all around mud flats, harbors and back bays through out California.
Ghost shrimp are limited to 50; however, most anglers will tend to use less per trip. I encourage only taking what is needed.
Here the Ghost and mud shrimp regulations: [DFG Regulations]
Equipment to Pump Shrimp
Here is the easiest way. This is also good for digging horse neck clams in Tomales Bay. If you like to play in the intertidal zones a lot like I do, this tool is very useful. I highly recommend getting this because it is multipurpose.
Instructions on building a Slurp Gun https://skyaboveus.com/fishing/Making-a-Simple-Ghost-Shrimp-Bait-Pump Making your own slurp gun
How To Catch Ghost Shrimp
How do you catch ghost shrimp?
This species is sought by fishermen as bait, especially those targeting sheepshead. The ghost shrimp are collected by sucking the ghost shrimp out of their burrow with a sand pump (see Crab and Ghost Shrimp regulations ). This device can be found at local fishing tackle shops. Ghost shrimp reach a maximum size of around 5 inches.
Can a ghost shrimp pump be used as bait?
Since they are not commonly available for sale, about the only recourse for anglers looking to use them as bait is to dig down after them. The “ghost shrimp pump” or “slurp gun” is the perfect tool to perform this labor-intensive task.
How long does it take to build a ghost shrimp pump?
Building a ghost shrimp pump yourself is easy and only takes about an hour. It will reward you not only for the modest amount of money saved but by catching a virtually unlimited supply of your own fishing bait while using something made by your own hands.