But, you can save a little money and have fun trying to cast net your own!
Catching shrimp from shore is an exciting way to gather your own fresh seafood. With just basic gear and some simple techniques, you can easily collect shrimp right from the beach or dock. Though not as productive as shrimping from a boat, shore shrimping can yield enough for a tasty meal or fun family activity.
In this guide I’ll cover everything you need to know as a beginner to start catching shrimp from shore. With a bit of practice you’ll be reeling in these delicious crustaceans in no time!
The Best Locations for Shore Shrimping
The key to successful shore shrimping is finding areas with high shrimp activity close to land Good spots include
- Sandy beaches and flats, especially near inlets or tidal creeks
- Along docks, pilings and jetties
- Grass beds, oyster bars and shallow mangrove zones
- Nearshore structures like rock groins or breakwaters
Search for locations with slightly brackish water where small grass shrimp and baitfish congregate. Incoming and outgoing tides are often most productive.
When to Go Shore Shrimping
Like when shrimping from a boat, certain conditions create better odds for catching shrimp from shore:
- On rising tides for more shrimp activity closer to land
- During spring and summer months when shrimp are abundant
- At night since many species feed more actively after dark
- Shortly after storms stir up bottom sediments and food sources
Early morning and evening are good times to look for shrimp feeding in shallows. Check local tidal charts to time your trip.
Gear and Equipment for Shore Shrimping
Very little specialized gear is needed to collect shrimp from shore:
-
Cast net – The core tool for shore shrimping. A 6-8 foot radius net with 1/4″ mesh works great.
-
Bucket – A 5 gallon bucket stores your catch and serves as a work station.
-
Headlamp – For night shrimping, a waterproof LED headlamp helps illuminate the water.
-
Waders – Hip boots or waders allow you to wade out deeper to cast and retrieve.
-
Bait knife – Useful for cutting bait and detangling shrimp from the net.
-
Cooler and ice – Keeps shrimp fresh until ready to cook or freeze.
Effective Techniques for Shore Shrimping
With the right gear, just a couple techniques will help you pull in a nice shrimp catch:
-
Cast netting – Toss the net as far as you comfortably can into promising areas and retrieve hand over hand. Target spots along structure, drop-offs or over grass beds where shrimp congregate.
-
Jigging – Tie a #6 baitholder hook to an 1/8oz jighead. Add a small piece of shrimp or fish for bait. Jig the rig up and down through depths of 2-4 feet.
-
Seining – For two people, one holds each end of a 10-15 foot nylon seine net and swipe it through submerged grass and structure where shrimp lurk. Lift up evenly to trap shrimp.
-
Trapping – Set a few collapsible shrimp traps baited with fish scraps in productive areas. Let them soak overnight then check in the morning.
Preparing and Cooking Your Catch
A bucketful of fresh shrimp offers endless culinary possibilities:
- Boil briefly in seasoned water then peel and eat with cocktail sauce.
- Sauté in butter or olive oil with spices and white wine.
- Grill shrimp on skewers brushed with olive oil, lemon and garlic.
- Blacken shrimp with Cajun spice mix and serve over grits or rice.
- Stuff into tacos or use for shrimp salad, pasta, gumbo and more.
Be sure to follow any size restrictions and cook shrimp promptly after catching. Double check for any recall advisories in your area.
Storing Your Extra Shrimp
For any leftover shrimp not used right away:
- Peel, rinse and drain shrimp. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Place in sealable freezer bags with water pressed out.
- Seal bags then freeze. Use within 3-6 months for best flavor and texture.
- Thaw in refrigerator before using. Do not re-freeze thawed shrimp.
Proper freezing preserves the seafood until you’re ready for your next shrimp meal.
Is Shore Shrimping Right for You?
As you can see, gathering shrimp from shore is fun and easy with very minimal investment required. Just be sure to:
- Check local regulations on cast net mesh sizes and permits.
- Obtain permission for any private docks or lands.
- Be mindful of any protected wildlife areas.
- Follow size and catch limits.
With good ethics and stewardship, shore shrimping can provide a sustainable bounty. Just get the right basic gear and start tossing that cast net onto a tasty catch!
Finding The Fish Help
Make sure you target the right areas by checking out the three tools below. They will save you a lot of time and help you stay on top of the latest feeding trends and weather forecasts.
These regional plans will tell you exactly what kinds of places to visit in less than 10 minutes. All you have to do is click the video to begin, and you’ll know what to do on your next trip.
This one-of-a-kind software tells you exactly when you’ll be fishing and where the most fish are likely to be feeding. It takes into account the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly figure out which areas to focus on during the day.
You can use the Insider Community platform to find out what’s biting near you and to meet other members who fish in the same area. You can also keep track of your catches with it, so you can use past trips to help you guess what you’ll catch next.
What To Look For
On this particular day, Matt and I were fishing on a super long stretch of bank line.
The first thing to take into account is the tide cycle.
When the tide is going out and coming in, or maybe even an hour or so before the tide comes in, is the best time to cast a net for shrimp.
If you have a trolling motor on your vessel, then this will be easy.
If not, you need someone steering the boat in these areas with intense currents.
The next thing you need to look for is the shape and direction of the bank.
Preferably, you would want to be near a bank that comes off gradually and slowly, like mud banks.
Keep your eye out for any drains or exits off the marsh and grass lines as well.
Shrimp can move like fish, but if you fish enough of these spots along the bank, you’ll catch a lot of them.
Shrimping: How To Catch Shrimp From Shore With A Cast Net – Shrimping Tutorial Guide | SFSC
How do you catch shrimp on a boat?
Setting up baited traps is another technique that requires you to check the traps regularly. Another way of catching shrimp is by using a dip net. By boat, raft, or even wading in shallow waters, you can attempt to net shrimp in upper water columns.
How do you catch shrimp in a shallow water area?
They can be particularly effective when targeting shrimp in shallow water areas, as they allow for the capture of a significant number of shrimp in a single haul. Baiting traps with fish heads, chicken necks, or cat food can attract shrimp. Make sure to check local regulations regarding the use of traps and any restrictions on bait.
Where can you catch shrimp?
Although shrimp are found throughout bodies of water, the best places to catch them are at ocean shores, rivers and creeks, bays, lakes, and estuaries. All are shallow and easy to access, allowing you to net large amounts of shrimp as they move from larger bodies of water to smaller ones as they travel around. Go shrimping when the tide is low.
How do you catch shrimp in a fish trap?
It is recommended that you get some practice in throwing the net before in order to have your technique down. Setting up baited traps is another technique that requires you to check the traps regularly. Another way of catching shrimp is by using a dip net.