How to Hook Frozen Shrimp: A Step-by-Step Guide for Fishing Success

Frozen shrimp can make excellent bait for a variety of saltwater fish like redfish, snook, and trout. However, rigging frozen shrimp properly is key to keeping it on the hook and catching more fish. In this article, I’ll walk you through the best methods for hooking frozen shrimp to maximize your success when fishing.

Why Use Frozen Shrimp as Bait?

Frozen shrimp has several advantages that make it a top choice for many anglers:

• Convenience – Frozen shrimp can be bought in bulk and stored for when you need it. This saves the hassle of finding fresh live shrimp before each trip.

• Longevity – Frozen shrimp stays on the hook longer than fresh or live options The firmer texture keeps it from falling off as easily.

• Scent – Frozen shrimp gives off a strong scent trail in the water that can attract fish from a distance. This scent dispersion is greater than live shrimp.

• Cost – You can buy frozen shrimp very cheaply at many grocery stores and wholesale clubs Bulk bags provide a lot of bait for very little money.

• Versatility – Frozen shrimp works for a wide variety of bottom fishing methods like jigging, float rigs, and Carolina rigs. You’re not limited in how you fish it.

The main drawback with frozen shrimp is that it lacks the movement and action of live bait But proper rigging and technique can help offset this downside,

Thawing Frozen Shrimp

For best results, frozen shrimp should be partially thawed before putting it on the hook. Here are a couple options for thawing:

• Place frozen shrimp in a colander and run cool water over it for 5-10 minutes until pliable but still firm. Be careful not to thaw it completely.

• Put frozen shrimp in a sealable plastic bag and submerge in a bucket of cool water for 10-20 minutes. Massage the bag occasionally to distribute the water.

You don’t want the shrimp completely soft and mushy. It should still be firm enough to stay on the hook securely during a cast.

Rigging Methods for Frozen Shrimp

There are a few effective ways to hook frozen shrimp depending on your fishing method and conditions.

Jig Heads

Jig heads paired with shrimp make a simple and effective rig for many bottom fishing situations. To rig it:

• Use a jig head sized 1/4 to 1 ounce depending on depth and current. Heavier in deeper water.

• Pull the tail off the shrimp and thread the body onto the jig head.

• Make sure the shrimp body sits straight on the hook shank. You may need to pinch the shrimp body a bit to flatten it out.

• For very thick shrimp, you can cut slits into the underside to get it to lie flatter on the jig head.

• Bury the hook point into the shrimp’s body for a weedless presentation.

• For added scent and attraction, leave the detached tail on the jig head.

Jig heads allow for vertical jigging presentation as well as casting and bouncing along the bottom. You get a very erratic action that triggers strikes.

Hook Through the Body

For fishing shrimp under a popping cork or other floating rigs, running the hook through the body horizontally provides a great presentation:

• Use a #1 to 2/0 straight shank hook.

• Pull the head and tail off the shrimp.

• Thread the shrimp onto the hook shank so the entire hook is covered by the shrimp body.

• Make sure the shrimp stays straight on the shank for best action.

The shrimp gently floats and flutters with the current, mimicking a live wounded baitfish. Gamefish can’t resist this vulnerable presentation.

Hook Through the Tail

Hooking shrimp through the tail is effective for weedless bottom fishing. Follow these steps:

• Remove the head and shell from the shrimp.

• Cut 1-2 slits in the underside of the shrimp body.

• Insert the hook into one slit, run it through the body, and out the other slit.

• Rig the hook so the point faces up into the belly of the shrimp.

• Bury the hook point into the shrimp to make weedless.

• Use a 1/0 to 3/0 long shank hook for best effect.

This allows the shrimp to glide above snags while keeping the hook masked for more bites. Redfish will scour the bottom and inhale a shrimp rigged in this fashion.

Best Practices for Hooking Shrimp

Keep these tips in mind when rigging up frozen shrimp to get the most out of your bait:

• Stay away from circle hooks – the frozen shrimp body doesn’t flex well to set the hook. Stick with jig heads and wide gap hooks.

• Cut slits on the underside to get shrimp to lie flat and straight on the hook.

• Change out bait every 15-30 minutes after soaking in water – it gets soft and falls off.

• Use lighter fluorocarbon leaders from 10-20 lb test – less visibility than heavier monofilament.

• Match jig head weight to depth and current so the bait stays near bottom.

• Consider using attractant gels and scents like Pro-Cure on your frozen shrimp for added fish-drawing smell.

Best Fishing Practices When Using Frozen Shrimp

You can hook frozen shrimp perfectly, but you also need to employ the right fishing tactics and techniques to catch fish consistently:

• Concentrate on structure – shrimp often attracts bottom fish like redfish, flounder and sheepshead. Focus on drop-offs, docks, oyster beds, etc.

• Watch your line on the drift – frozen shrimp won’t give the “tap tap” bite of live bait. Be ready to set the hook at any slight unnatural movement of the line.

• Use fluorocarbon leader – the stiff material helps set the hook unlike limp monofilament. 25lb test is a good choice.

• Don’t set the hook too hard – the softer bait can rip free with an overly aggressive hookset. A firm steady sweep of the rod is all you need.

• Let the rod load on the hookset – keep the rod tip down for a second or two when setting to allow the rod to load up power.

• Vary retrieves until you get bites – a steady slow bounce of a jig or twitching the rod tip can trigger strikes.

• Fish around structures and cover – shrimp that has soak too long gets soft, so target where fish are concentrated.

Putting these fishing strategies together with properly rigged shrimp will definitely result in bending rods and full fish boxes. Follow this guide, and your next fishing trip will be a frozen shrimp success story. Let us know how it goes in the comments!