The slight splash that first caught my eye soon turned into a wake. It was quiet but steady, and as soon as it got close, I threw a soft plastic shrimp at it. The unknown fish pushing the wake quickly ate it in an explosive way. “There’s nothing in that ocean that won’t eat a shrimp,” my dad and grandfather used to tell me as they bent my rod into a deep arch. ”.
Since many game fish like to eat those crustaceans, it’s hard to argue against that theory, especially when fishing near the shore with shrimp. Shrimp’s effectiveness is precisely why it’s one of the most imitated baits. Saltwater fishing with shrimp doesn’t have to mean live bait fishing only.
The DOA shrimp is one of the most popular and effective artificial lures for inshore saltwater fishing. This versatile bait excels at catching big speckled trout, redfish, flounder and more. Its realistic profile and action fool fish into thinking it’s the real thing.
As an avid inshore angler, I rely heavily on DOA shrimp lures to put fish in the boat. Through years of hands-on experience fishing this bait, I’ve dialed in some key tips for rigging and working DOAs to maximize your success.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to effectively fish DOA shrimp, from setup and retrieval techniques to proven tactics for popular targets. Let’s get started!
DOA Shrimp Overview
First invented by Capt. Mark Nichols in the early 80s the DOA shrimp gained popularity through its effectiveness on big, pressured fish. It remains one of the most lifelike artificial shrimp baits on the market.
DOA shrimp imitations come in 3-inch and 5-inch sizes, with a variety of color patterns. The baits feature a solid one-piece plastic construction with legs, antennas, a curved body, and ribbed underside. Internal rattle chambers emit a subtle clicking sound.
This classic paddle tail design allows the bait to glide smoothly with a side-to-side swimming action. The flicking tail triggers reaction strikes from predators. Available in sinking and floating models.
Rods, Reels & Line for DOA Shrimp
Having the right tackle makes a big difference when fishing DOA shrimp:
Rods A 7’0″ medium action rod provides a good balance of sensitivity and casting distance Fast taper tips are ideal for detecting subtle bites.
Reels Opt for a 3000-4000 size spinning reel with 20-30 lb braid as the mainline, This allows positive hook sets and handling big fish
Leader: Tie on 2-3 ft of 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader for low visibility. Heavier leader prevents cutoffs from toothy fish.
Hooks: 1/0 to 3/0 wide gap hooks match nicely with DOA tails. Go barbless for easier hook removal.
Rigging DOA Shrimp Lures
Follow these steps to rig DOA shrimp like a pro:
-
Thread main line through eye of hook and tie Palomar knot to secure.
-
Slide hook into molded slot on underside of DOA shrimp. Push and twist to fully seat.
-
For weedless rig, peg hook with rubber screw-lock bait keeper to hide point in bait.
-
For weight, slide bullet weight or jighead onto main line above plastic bait.
-
Attach fluorocarbon leader to main line with FG knot or double uni knot.
Your DOA bait is now ready to cast and fish! Make adjustments as needed for your target species and conditions.
How to Fish DOA Shrimp Lures
Here are top techniques for bringing in fish on DOAs:
1. Cast upcurrent – Allow bait to sink and drift back naturally with the current. Re-position rod to maintain control.
2. Twitch and pause – Use rod tip to make the bait hop and pause. Vary cadence until you get bites.
3. Slow steady retrieve – Reel at a slow crawl to keep the tail kicking. Take occasional pauses to let bait flutter down.
4. Bounce along bottom – With a jig head, make short hops off the bottom to imitate a shrimp foraging.
5. Work structure – Cast tight to docks, rocks, grass lines, etc. and allow bait to sink into strike zone before retrieving.
6. Popping cork – Use cork 3-5 feet above bait to make it dance enticingly on surface. Great for trout.
Vary retrieves until you find what triggers fish to strike on a given day and location. Pay close attention to feel for subtle bites. Set the hook immediately when you detect any bump or pressure. Stay alert!
Targeting Different Fish Species
You can catch all kinds of inshore predators with DOA shrimp. Here are some proven tips for popular targets:
Speckled Trout – Work grass flats in 3-8 ft on falling tide. Twitch-pause retrieve near grass and oysters beds. Bounce jig head along dropoffs.
Redfish – Fish around docks and over submerged shell beds. Let bait sink to bottom before slow steady retrieve.
Snook – Cast into shadow lines and ambush areas around structure. Use erratic jerking action interspersed with pauses.
Flounder – Drag or hop bait along sandy bottom areas near inlets and cuts. Keep in constant contact to detect subtle takes.
Final Tips for Success
Follow these final tips for getting the most out of DOA shrimp baits:
- Fish around moving water and baitfish activity to find feeding fish
- Pay close attention to your line and rod tip to detect light bites
- Keep the hooks sharp to ensure solid hook-ups
- Vary retrieves until you dial in what’s working that day
- Use scented baits or add scent to tip the scales in your favor
Best Depth to Fish Soft Plastic Shrimp Lures
Knowing the depth at which fish are feeding is also a key. But to take advantage of that knowledge, the angler must identify the right lures to fish different depths.
Snook, trout, and striped bass like to eat just above or below the water’s surface. Topwater or very slowly sinking lures work best for these fish. The Unfair Lures shrimp is a great choice because it has a hard body and can be worked on top with a walk-the-dog motion. The Rigged Shrimp from LiveTarget is another good choice. It sinks slowly and stays high in the water.
Redfish on the side of a cut, trout in deeper grass beds, or snapper on an inshore reef ledge are all examples of fish that like to eat deeper. Jig heads or weighted hooks on soft-body shrimp imitations make it easy to get to these fish. D. O. A. ‘s shrimp, Egret Baits’ Vudu Shrimp, and Savage Gear’s 3D TPE Shrimp can all be used with a jig head and may be the best fake shrimp you can find. A Monster 3X X-Move Shrimp rigged with one of said brand’s belly-weighted hooks will do the same. Advertisement.
Putting an artificial shrimp under a popping cork is a good way to catch fish if you need to fish below or at medium depths. It lets you hang the lure at the right depth and over certain spots where fish will be most interested in it.
Whether you’ll fish over grass, sand or rocks should also weigh on your lure selection. A lot of inshore fishing happens in shallow water, where the lures are likely to hit the bottom. To avoid this, use shrimp-shaped lures with only one hook, preferably on top. Lures with dangling trebles, like the Yo-Zuri Crystal Shrimp, tend to get snagged easily. Only use them in sandy areas or when fishing for fish near the surface in deeper water, where they are less likely to catch grass or the bottom.
You should use shrimp imitations that are rigged weedless, like the Monster 3X X-Move Shrimp, or lures where the hook point stays hidden, like Savage Gear’s Hybrid Shrimp, which magnetically holds the hook out of the way until the fish strikes. Advertisement.
How to Rig and Fish With Artificial Shrimp
There are two primary ways to rig artificial shrimp, both effective in different environments. The easiest way is to tie the lure right to the leader. This works well with both topwater and jigging retrieves. The other is tying the shrimp below a popping cork. How long the leader is between the cork and the lure depends on how deep the water is and where the fish you want to catch likes to eat. A shorter leader keeps the lure higher in the water column, a longer one lets it go deeper.
Remember that the longer the leader, the more you should let the lure fall after each pop of the cork. Scented lures, like D. O. A. shrimp and Berkley Gulp!, work well drifted under a cork.
Shrimp will rise to the surface to get away from danger, but they stay between midwater and the bottom most of the time. That’s why it’s best to let the lure sink after casting it and then start jigging slowly and steadily. If you tie the shrimp lure directly to your line or leader, give the rod a few short jerks to make it look like a shrimp is flipping around and running away. Then, let it sink. If you fish the lure under a popping cork, let it settle between pops.
DOA Shrimp Technique – Trout Fishing Tips and Red Fishing Lures
How do you rig a DOA shrimp?
For deeper water conditions, or for fishing where the current is stronger, anglers will rig the DOA shrimp to be heavy-style. Using a CAL jig head on the tip of the shrimp provides extra weight to cast farther. When fishing at bridge pilings the jig head takes the lure down to the deeper waters where the fish are lurking.
How do you fish a DOA shrimp?
Just as a live shrimp would do. You can also fish the DOA Shrimp below a float or popping cork. The distance between the cork and the shrimp depends on the depth of the water and where you want the shrimp to be in the water column. After you hook your fish, reel it in and remember: Don’t reel against the drag.
Can I use a DOA shrimp lure for salt water fishing?
And don’t forget – if you limit yourself to using D.O.A. Shrimp Lures for only salt water action, you’ll be missing lots of great fresh water fishing fun. The 2″ shrimp may be used as a fly or a teaser in front of other D.O.A. products.
How do you retrieve a DOA shrimp?
This shrimp sinks so slow that some require a learning curve about how to retrieve it. Many work the DOA shrimp too fast, and a good solution is to rig the shrimp underneath a popping cork, which allows anglers to visualize the proper motion.