Using a live shrimp as bait is one of the best ways to catch saltwater fish like redfish, tarpon, seatrout, bonefish, snook, and many more. Almost all gamefish that can swim will eat a live shrimp if they can find them easily where they live.
Are you not sure how to rig a shrimp? Here are five simple methods that have been used for years.
Live shrimp are one of the most effective and versatile baits for inshore saltwater fishing Their natural movements in the water combined with their tasty scent drives predator fish crazy In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to be successful fishing with live shrimp.
Why Fish with Live Shrimp
Here are some of the top reasons anglers choose live shrimp:
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They appeal to a huge variety of inshore species like seatrout, redfish, flounder, snook, snapper, sheepshead, tarpon and more. You never know what you’ll catch!
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Shrimp kick and move in the water, triggering strikes from predators
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They can be fished in a variety of ways – on the bottom, under a popping cork, free-lined etc.
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Easy for beginners and kids to use. Just hook it and toss it out there!
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Shrimp can be purchased at local bait shops rather than having to catch your own bait.
How to Keep Shrimp Alive
The key to effectively fishing live shrimp is keeping them alive and lively in your bait well. Here are some tips:
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Use an aerator or frequent water changes to maintain oxygen levels.
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Don’t overcrowd the well. Leave space for shrimp to move around.
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Keep shrimp out of direct sunlight to avoid temperature spikes.
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Add a shrimp-safe chemical like PolyGuard to treat the water.
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Don’t keep shrimp in water overnight. Buy fresh daily if possible.
Rigging Live Shrimp
There are a few primary ways to rig up a live shrimp depending on how you plan to fish it.
Hooking through the Horn
- Threads hook through top shell but avoids vital organs.
- Allows natural swimming motion.
- Best for fishing shrimp under popping cork.
Hooking Under the Head
- Hook goes under head and out top shell.
- Casts better than horn method.
- Retrieve shrimp easier.
- Doesn’t last as long as horn method.
Tail Hooking
- Break off the tail and thread hook through meat.
- Makes shrimp easier to cast.
- Emits scent to attract fish.
Weedless Hooking
- Bury hook point into underside of body or tail.
- Allows casting into heavy cover.
- Reduce snags in vegetation.
Fishing with Live Shrimp
Now that you know how to rig up your shrimp, let’s get into the details of actually fishing with them:
Under a Popping Cork
One of the most effective ways to fish live shrimp is suspended underneath a popping cork. The noise and turbulence of the cork attracts fish while the shrimp kicks and moves enticingly. Target areas like creek mouths, docks, grass flats, oyster bars, mangroves, etc. Cast upcurrent and let the current sweep your bait into the strike zone.
Freelining
Freelining a shrimp means fishing without any weight and allowing the current to slowly sweep the bait along the bottom or through the water column. Use an extra long leader – 4 feet or more. Work areas like dropoffs, creek channels, and structure.
On the Bottom
Adding a split shot or jig head lets you pin the shrimp to the bottom around structure. The scent will attract bottom feeders like snapper, sheepshead and grouper. Target pilings, docks, reefs, rocks, etc.
Drift Fishing
Allowing the wind or current to naturally drift the shrimp over feeding zones can be extremely effective. Use a drift sock to slow your drift speed if needed. Cover ground and locate productive areas.
Cast and Retrieve
Adding a jighead or circle hook allows you to make longer casts and retrieve the shrimp steadily. Mimic fleeing baitfish. Cover shorelines, points, grass flats and bait schools.
Top Species to Target with Live Shrimp
Just about anything will eat a live shrimp, but here are some top targets:
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Redfish – Cast tight to mangroves, docks, and structure.
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Speckled Trout – Fish grass flats, drains and pot holes.
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Flounder – Bounce along sandy bottom areas.
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Snook – Work shorelines, creek mouths and docks.
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Snapper/Sheepshead – Present shrimp near structure and heavy cover.
How to Rig a Shrimp on a Jighead
The hook point is threaded under the “chin” and out through the middle of the carapace, just behind the “horn” and between the vital organs. This will give you a longer casting range and make it easier to retrieve the shrimp. The shrimp won’t live as long if the hook is placed this way instead of across the carapace.
How to Rig a Live Shrimp to Drift in the Current
When you drift a live shrimp in the current or dangle it below a float rig or popping cork, you should use its natural kicking action to your advantage. This is what many game fish do to make them strike. The best way to do this is to hook the shrimp through its carapace. However, it is important to avoid the shrimp’s stomach and pancreas, which appear as two translucent dark spots. In version one, the hook is threaded crosswise through the carapace, just under the tip of the shell.
How to Rig Live Shrimp for Fishing – Most Effective Technique!
Can you use live shrimp to fish inshore?
When fishing inshore, using live shrimp is often the most effective option. Live shrimp can swim and move around, making them even more tempting for fish to bite. However, using dead or frozen shrimp can also be effective, especially if you add scent to the bait to make it more attractive to the fish.
Can one eat raw shrimps?
While raw shrimp or shrimp sashimi can be consumed safely, raw shrimp is considered a high-risk food because it can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and various Vibrio bacteria. Although some people consider the seafood used in ceviche raw, it is actually cooked by immersing it in an acid rather than using heat. The acid from the citrus can reduce harmful bacteria but it is not as effective as using heat. The safest approach would be to consume only cooked shrimp from a reliable source. The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) advises that pregnant women, those with weakened immunity, older adults, and young children are at higher risk of foodborne illness and its consequences and should avoid all raw seafood.
What fish eat live shrimp?
A live shrimp is one of the best natural baits to use to catch popular saltwater species such as redfish, tarpon, seatrout, bonefish, snook and many others. Just about any gamefish that swims will eat a live shrimp if the small crustaceans are readily available in their home waters. Are you unsure how to rig a shrimp?
Can a kid fish with live shrimp?
So easy, even a kid can do it!! Live shrimp is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get tight lines and FAST! Everything out there eats shrimp so if you ever want to take your kids fishing, pick up some shrimp! Oh, and be sure to use circle hooks when fishing with live bait – it’s safer for you and for the fish!!