How to Hook a Live Shrimp: A Simple Guide for Fishing Success

Hooking live shrimp is one of the most effective techniques for catching fish like black drum, bonefish, flounder, grouper, jackfish, pompano, redfish, snook, sea trout, sheepshead, tarpon, and whiting As an avid angler, I often rely on live shrimp when I want to maximize my chances of getting a bite. In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about rigging live shrimp

Why Use Live Shrimp for Bait?

Live shrimp are a prime bait for inshore saltwater fishing for several reasons

• They attract fish with their natural swimming action and scent. Dead shrimp may smell fishy, but they don’t move in the water like live ones.

• Their shells are soft and easy for fish to bite into. This makes it more likely that fish will get hooked after striking the bait.

• They are readily available at most bait shops and tackle stores near coastal waters. Just buy what you need before each trip.

• They work for many popular game fish species. Whether you’re targeting snook, redfish, trout or anything in between, live shrimp rarely fail to produce bites.

So when you want to increase your chances of success, live shrimp are one of the best baits to use. Now let’s go over the best ways to hook them.

Hooking Live Shrimp Through the Head

One of the most common methods is threading the shrimp onto the hook through the head. This leaves the body and tail free to move naturally in the water.

There are two ways to hook a shrimp through the head:

1. Enter from underneath the head and exit out the top. Carefully insert the hook point underneath the head. Push it forward avoiding the vital organs, until the barb pokes out on top. This method works well for bottom fishing since the shrimp rides naturally on the hook shank.

2. Enter through the top of the head and exit the top. Poke the hook down through the head, again avoiding the vital organs. Angle it so it pokes back out on top of the head. This technique lets you cast the shrimp further since the weight is centered on the hook shank. But it may result in more pulled-off baits.

Hooking through the head is quick and easy. It’s a good choice when drifting or slow trolling since the shrimp moves freely. The downside is baits tend to slip off the hook more easily when fish strike compared to other rigging methods.

Hooking Through the Tail for Long Casts

For increased casting distance, you can hook live shrimp through the tail instead of the head. Here’s how:

1. Break off the tail fan leaving a nub of a tail. This helps discharge scent to attract fish.

2. Insert the hook into the center of the remaining tail.

3. Push the hook through and exit the bottom of the tail. Make sure the eye is covered by the shrimp’s body.

4. For extra hold, use a baitholder hook with barbs on the shank.

Hooking through the tail centers the weight for aerodynamic casting. And fish attack the shrimp head-first just like natural predators. It’s an excellent method when fishing for species that follow moving baits like jacks, bluefish and mackerel. The only downside is that shrimp hooked through the tail die quicker.

Crosswise Through the Carapace for Float Fishing

Another effective technique is threading the shrimp crosswise through the top of the carapace (shell). Avoid puncturing the vital organs when inserting the hook.

The shrimp is able to swim freely and naturally with this rigging method. It works well for drift fishing and float rigging live shrimp. The shrimp also tends to stay alive longer hooked this way compared to through the head or tail.

Just make sure to use a wide gap hook so it passes easily through the carapace. Circle hooks are a great choice for this shrimp rigging technique.

Weedless Hooking for Heavy Cover

When fishing in areas with heavy weed growth or other snag hazards on the bottom, you can rig shrimp weedless just like a plastic bait:

1. Break off the entire tail fan leaving a nub.

2. Insert the hook into the side of the tail nub.

3. Push the hook through then insert the barb into the shrimp’s belly.

4. Rotate the hook so the barb and point face up toward the shrimp’s back.

Burying the barb into the belly weedguards the hook until a fish strikes and dislodges it. The shrimp can be fished weedless on a Carolina rig or Texas rig to punch through grass and structure. Use a 1/4 to 1/2 ounce bullet weight for best results.

Keeping Shrimp Lively in Your Livewell

Now that you know how to rig live shrimp in different ways, let’s go over some best practices for keeping them healthy and lively in your livewell or bait bucket. This will maximize how long they remain lively on the hook.

• Use a divided minnow bucket or aerator bucket to allow water flow and oxygen. This is better than a standard bucket.

• Don’t overcrowd the bucket. Leave room for shrimp to move around freely.

• Maintain cool water temperature around 70°F by adding ice.

• Use an aerator or oxygen releasing tablets to prevent oxygen depletion.

• Change the water periodically to flush waste and refresh oxygen levels.

• Consider adding a commercial bait conditioner to reduce stress and ammonia buildup.

Keeping your shrimp lively and energetic in the livewell leads to more active baits in the water. Follow these tips to get the most action out of your live shrimp.

Putting It All Together

As you can see, there are several effective ways to hook up a live shrimp depending on your fishing situation:

• Through the head – Quick and easy method for drifting and trolling.

• Through the tail – For increased casting distance.

• Crosswise through the carapace – Enables maximum swimming action.

• Weedless in the belly – For getting through heavy cover and structure.

I recommend experimenting with these different rigging methods to see what works best for you. Match the rigging technique to your fishing style and conditions for optimal success.

And be sure to keep shrimp lively in a properly aerated livewell. Active shrimp catch more fish!

Rigging and fishing with live shrimp does take a bit more preparation than other baits. But the extra effort pays off when you hook that trophy redfish or tarpon. For targeting picky inshore fish, few baits can compete with the real thing.