Shrimping at night can be an extremely productive and exciting way to put a bounty of these tasty crustaceans on ice. As daylight fades, shrimp become more active and move into shallow waters to feed under the cover of darkness. Equipped with the right gear and techniques, you can take advantage of this nighttime behavior for amazing hauls of shrimp.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my top tips and tricks for catching loads of shrimp after the sun goes down Let’s get started!
Why Fish for Shrimp at Night?
Here are some of the main reasons that nighttime is prime time for shrimping
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Increased Activity – Shrimp feed more actively at night since they are nocturnal. Their movement makes them easier to catch.
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Shallower Water – Shrimp move into shallow flats and marshes to feed under the cover of darkness. This puts them within reach.
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Less Boat Traffic – With fewer recreational boats on the water at night, shrimp are less likely to be spooked.
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Cooler Temperatures – The cooler temps of night keep your catch fresher longer once iced down.
Take advantage of the shrimp’s natural nighttime patterns by targeting them when they are most catchable.
Essential Gear for Night Shrimping
To maximize your after-dark shrimping success, be sure to have this basic gear:
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Light Source – A bright lantern or boat-mounted spotlight helps illuminate the water. Green lights attract shrimp.
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Long Handle Net – Use a 10-12 ft pole with a fine mesh dip net to scoop up shrimp near the surface.
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Cast Net – A 10+ ft diameter cast net with 0.25-0.5″ mesh throws well to catch shrimp on bottom.
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Bait – Consider using bait like Bait Binder to draw shrimp to your light source. Check local regulations.
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Cooler – Have a large cooler ready with ice to keep your catch fresh until cleaning.
Prime Night Shrimping Locations
Focus your efforts in areas known to hold concentrations of shrimp after dark:
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Docks – Lighted docks attract baitfish, which draw in hungry shrimp.
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Bridges – Illuminated bridge pilings become a shrimp buffet at night.
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Creek Mouths – Shrimp pour from marsh creeks to feed on tidal flats under darkness.
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Channel Dropoffs – Find shrimp clustered along the edges of channels and deep cuts.
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Marinas – The glow of marina lights brings shrimp inside the complexes to feed.
Techniques for Catching Shrimp After Dark
Once you’ve located shrimp under the lights, use these effective night fishing methods to load the ice chest:
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Dip Netting – Slowly lower a dip net into the lighted water to scoop up shrimp swimming by.
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Cast Netting – Toss a cast net where you spot shrimp flashing near the surface to catch them over hard bottom.
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Free Lining Bait – Send peeled shrimp or fish scraps into the light on a free line to attract shrimp within netting range.
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Shrimp Traps – Lower traps baited with fish heads or shrimp pellets into productive areas to let shrimp swim inside.
5 Tips for Maximizing Success
Follow these tips to make the most of your after-dark shrimping trips:
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Go on moonless or overcast nights – Shrimp tend to be more active when it’s really dark.
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Fish the last 2 hours of outgoing tide – Shrimp become more concentrated as the tide drops.
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Look for flashes of pink or brown – These flashes signal shrimp are clustered nearby.
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Bring plenty of backup lights and batteries – Light is crucial, so be prepared for anything.
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Watch your step on slippery docks and rocks – Safety first!
Dealing with Your Nighttime Catch
Once your cooler is filled to the brim with shrimp, be sure to:
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Keep shrimp iced down until ready to clean and cook. This keeps them fresh.
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Clean shrimp soon after catching by removing heads and shells. Cook, freeze, or refrigerate the peeled meat.
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Consider saving heads/shells to make shrimp stock for gumbos, bisques, or rice. Never waste!
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Check regulations for catch limits and only keep what you will use. Release juveniles and egg-bearing females.
The magic really happens once the sun goes down. Armed with this advice, you’ll be fully prepared to capitalize on the phenomenal nighttime shrimping opportunities waiting right outside your back door. Just don’t forget the lantern and bug spray!
How to Catch Shrimp at Night
How do you catch shrimp at night?
If shrimping at night, use green light to avoid scaring the shrimp with white light. On overcast days the shrimp will be closer to the surface than on sunnier days. Purchase a casting net with a proper mesh size for catching shrimp.
Do shrimp eat Light at night?
Shrimp are often attracted to light at night. Using underwater lights can help lure them closer to your net, increasing your chances of a successful catch. You’ll need containers to hold your caught shrimp. Make sure they have lids to keep the shrimp fresh and prevent them from escaping.
How do you catch live shrimp?
Try Catfood! To catch live shrimp for bait you can use a cast net, dip net, or shrimp trap. The cast net is the most effective method. Shrimp are easier to see at night, due to their glowing eyes. Look for shrimp in in shallow grass flats, or use a boat to access brackish areas that shrimp congregate such as near deep holes or bridges and passes.
How do you spot shrimp at night?
Shrimp have special reflectors under their retina that make their eyes glow during the night. This is great for fishermen because it makes them easy to spot with a headlamp, lantern or submersible light. After sunset, find a shallow protected area and scan it with a small light.