How to Keep Live Shrimp Alive for Fishing – The Complete Guide

Live shrimp are one of the best baits to use when fishing, but keeping them alive can be tricky. With their fragile bodies and sensitivity to water conditions, shrimp mortality rates are high However, with the right techniques, you can significantly extend the life of your live shrimp

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share all my tips and tricks for keeping shrimp lively in your tank for hours Whether you’re heading out on a bay fishing trip or surf fishing the flats, follow these steps for the freshest bait possible.

Why Keeping Live Shrimp Alive Matters

Before jumping into the methods, let’s quickly go over why live shrimp make better bait than dead. Here are the key advantages:

• Movement – The motion of a living shrimp attracts more fish from a wider area. Lethargic or dead shrimp won’t elicit as much interest.

• Longevity – Live shrimp stay on your hook longer than dead since they continue swimming and avoid bottom feeders looking for an easy meal,

• Scent – Living shrimp give off scents and secretions that excite predators into striking. Dead shrimp have less odor dispersion in the water.

• Health – Fresh, lively shrimp have vibrant colors, intact appendages/antennae, and undamaged shells. This signals “easy prey” to gamefish.

Clearly, keeping your shrimp in prime condition as long as possible translates directly into more bites and hookups. Now let’s look at how to make that happen.

5 Tips for Keeping Live Shrimp Alive

Follow these shrimp preservation tips when transporting bait from the tackle shop and while fishing.

1. Give Shrimp Plenty of Oxygen

One of the biggest shrimp killers is lack of oxygen. Shrimp require high levels of dissolved oxygen to breathe through their gills.

Here are a few recommendations for oxygenating your livewell:

• Use an aerator – Aerators bubble air into the water and prevent hypoxia. Place it near the bottom for maximum circulation.

• Exchange fresh seawater – Pumping new seawater into the tank replaces depleted oxygen. Avoid overflows.

• Limit stocking density – Don’t overcrowd. 15-20 shrimp per 5 gallons is a good rule. Overloading causes oxygen crashes.

• Attach moss – Java moss absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. It also provides hiding spots.

2. Maintain Ideal Water Temperature

Shrimp are cold blooded, so they rely on ambient water temperature to regulate metabolism and respiration.

• Optimal temp is 65-75 ̊F. Colder slows activity while warmer reduces oxygen holding capacity.

• Monitor with a thermometer and adjust as needed. Submerge bottles of ice or reuse bait shop chilling packs.

• Insulate buckets/coolers from direct sunlight using towels or foam covers to avoid overheating.

3. Use Proper Water Conditions

Shrimp thrive in clean, saline water similar to their natural habitat. Replicate these parameters:

• Salinity: 25-35 ppt. Lower causes osmotic stress, higher dehydrates their tissues.

• pH: 7.5-8.5. Extremes make it hard for shrimp to transport ions across gill membranes.

• Ammonia/nitrites: 0 ppm. Metabolic wastes are toxic; change water frequently.

• Copper: None. Avoid equipment with copper alloys which are invertebrate poisons.

4. Give Them Places to Perch

Shrimp tired themselves out treading water. Give them solid surfaces to cling to and rest:

• Dip nets – Suspend nets so shrimp can gather on the mesh. These allow water flow.

• PVC pipes – Drill holes in PVC segments and sink them. Shrimp will crawl inside.

• Marimo moss balls – These soft algae balls provide perches and oxygenate water.

• Aquarium décor – Rocks, shells, and artificial plants all work. Just avoid sharp edges.

5. Handle Gently and Reduce Stress

Careful handling prevents physical damage and stress:

• When transferring shrimp, use a soft net. Scoop gently and avoid exposing them to air.

• Don’t mix shrimp with predator fish that can nip antennae and limbs. Keep separate.

• Use a five gallon bucket for transport. Crowding causes aggression and cannibalism.

• After catching fish, exchange any damaged shrimp for fresh ones. Tired shrimp become lethargic.

Storing Shrimp Overnight

Keeping shrimp alive overnight takes a bit more effort but is possible if you plan ahead. Here are some overnight storage tips:

• Keep filled 5 gallon buckets in a garage or basement to maintain cool temperatures.

• Place several frozen water bottles in the tanks to regulate temperature overnight as they thaw.

• Use battery powered aerators on timers to periodically circulate water. Run 15 minutes per hour.

• Do frequent partial water changes before turning in for the night to replenish oxygen.

• Reduce feeding. Uneaten food fouls water.

• Cover buckets with damp towels to block light and create security. Avoid complete sealing.

With the right overnight system, shrimp can survive 12+ hours. They may not be as lively in the morning but still make decent baits.

FAQs

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about keeping live shrimp alive:

How often should I change the water?

• 25% every 1-2 hours is ideal. Completely exchange every 4-6 hours.

Should I use additives like salts or conditioners?

• Avoid additives as shrimp are very sensitive. Frequent water changes are better.

Can I keep shrimp with ice instead of water?

• No. Shrimp require immersion at all times. Contact with ice will freeze and kill them.

What is better: bulky buckets or rectangular coolers?

• Buckets allow more water volume and surface area for oxygen exchange. Coolers are second best.

Should I use an airstone or airlift instead of an aerator?

• Aerators provide more complete water circulation so are generally superior.

Putting It All Together

The key takeaways for maximizing shrimp survival are:

• Maintain excellent water quality through oxygenation, temperature control, and frequent changes.

• Reduce stress by gentle handling, avoiding overcrowding, and giving shrimp places to perch and hide.

• Invest in a properly equipped livewell, ideally with chillable water, aeration, and perching surfaces.

• For overnight storage, enhance temperature regulation, oxygenation, and use timered equipment to automate critical functions.

While it takes more effort to keep live shrimp in prime condition, the reward is lively baits that catch fish after fish. Using these techniques, you’ll notice longer survival times and more interest from hungry gamefish.

So next time you stock up on live shrimp, try these preservation methods. Your tackle box will be brimming with the freshest bait that keeps producing strikes all day long!