Throw a shrimp rigged on a jig head out to a place with structure, current, and bait.
There is something wrong with the shrimp if it spins in the water. The fish will know this and not eat it.
It all comes down to how you rig it, and in this video, we’ve got Capt. Mark “Hollywood” Johnson showing us the best way to rig shrimp on a jig head.
He had me cast out the shrimp rig he made for me twice, and I caught two snook in a row to show how well it works.
P. S. One of the guests was a big, scary Everglades crocodile, which scared us all. I think Joe may have peed his pants. ).
Shrimp is one of the most popular and effective baits for targeting inshore saltwater species like trout, redfish, flounder, and more. However, shrimp’s soft texture makes it prone to slipping off hooks, resulting in wasted casts and constant re-baiting. As an avid inshore angler, I’ve tested numerous methods to keep shrimp on the hook longer. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share tips, tricks, and techniques to help you hook and hold shrimp so you can fish with confidence.
Start with High-Quality Fresh Shrimp
Fresh, raw shrimp stays on the hook better than frozen or previously cooked shrimp The firm texture resists damage from casting and soaking in the water When buying shrimp, look for
- Raw, never frozen
- Firm, shiny shells without blemishes
- No “fishy” or ammonia odor
Store fresh shrimp on ice until ready to use Avoid freezing shrimp yourself if possible. Freezing causes cellular damage, resulting in mushier texture when thawed
Prep Shrimp Properly
Proper prep boosts staying power on the hook:
- Leave shells on for added protection
- Devein but don’t peel off shell
- Cut or tear shrimp into 1-2 inch chunks
- Rinse thoroughly and blot dry
Leaving shells intact provides a “shell armor” that protects the meat from bait stealers. Just cut or tear shrimp into appropriately sized pieces.
Add a Shell “Sandwich”
Try this clever trick when using peeled shrimp. Place a full shrimp shell over the hook, then slide the peeled shrimp on. Cover with another shell. The shells act like buns around the shrimp meat, securing it to the hook.
Hook Shrimp Multiple Times
Run the hook through the shrimp 2-3 times, threading back and forth to anchor it in place. Avoid hooks larger than 1/0 to prevent excessive damage to the shrimp.
Aim for the firmer bottom segment of the tail when threading shrimp onto the hook.
Curl & Ball Shrimp Tightly
Curling and balling up shrimp covers more hook shank, distributing pressure over a larger area for a secure fit. Compress peeled shrimp tightly around the hook into a ball shape.
Use Circle Hooks
The curved shape of a circle hook helps keep shrimp in place better than standard J-hooks. The smooth bend holds shrimp without tearing. Plus, circle hooks are ideal for catch and release fishing.
Add Bait Thread or Elastic
Specialized bait threads like Ghost Cocoon wrap shrimp and other baits tightly to hooks. By eliminating play in the bait, the thread prevents slippage after hard casts. It takes practice but secures bait efficiently.
Instead of bait thread, you can also use elastic thread or dental floss. Just be sure not to cover the hook point.
Salt Shrimp Heavily
Cover shrimp thoroughly in kosher salt or sea salt and refrigerate overnight. The salt firms up the texture while removing excess moisture that makes shrimp slippery. Rinse before using.
For extreme staying power, alternate layers of salt and shrimp pieces in a jar in the fridge for 1-2 days. The long salting duration further toughens the shrimp.
Consider Using Artificial Shrimp
For guaranteed bait longevity, use scented soft plastic shrimp lures like DOA Shrimp. The durable plastic withstands multiple fish without damage. Artificials are snag-resistant and easy to rig weedless too.
Check Bait Frequently
Regardless of preparation method, always check your bait every 10-15 minutes when shrimp fishing. Be ready to reel in and rebait at the first sign of stealing fish or bait loss. Recasting quickly keeps your offering in the strike zone.
Match Hook and Bait Size
Don’t use huge chunks of shrimp on tiny hooks. Proper proportioning ensures the shrimp adequately covers the entire hook without leaving big gaps where it can slip off.
Downsize hook sizes for live shrimp ranging from 15 to 30 count per pound. Use larger hooks for bigger dead shrimp.
Consider Alternate Baits
While shrimp is awesome, it’s not your only option. Clams, crabs, cut fish, and squid all have firmer flesh and naturally “stickier” textures. Baitfish like mullet or croakers also tend to stay put on hooks better.
Trying alternate baits gives shrimp-weary fish something new to target. Diversify your offerings to keep bites coming.
Use the Right Rod & Reel Combos
Picking rods/reels designed for inshore bait fishing helps too. The right gear accurately places baits with less forceful, splashy impacts.
For shrimp, use medium 7-8ft spinning rods that cushion the cast. Match with higher speed reels (6:1-7:1) to quickly pick up slack on bites. Braided line gives solid hook sets without stretch.
Set the Hook Immediately
When fishing shrimp or any soft bait, instantly set the hook at the slightest bump or line twitch. Use circle hooks or very sharp short-shank live bait hooks. Sharp points penetrate and catch faster before bait pulls free.
Keep Shrimp Chilled
Always keep shrimp on ice, without water contact, until baited up. The cold keeps shrimp firm and delay deterioration in texture. Letting shrimp soak in water speeds up mushiness.
Use Fresh Baits Frequently
Rebait hooks with fresh shrimp every 10-20 minutes. Soaked baits get weaker and easier for fish to pull free from the hook. Recasting refreshed shrimp maximizes effectiveness.
Follow These Tips for Success
Next time you’re fishing shrimp, try these pro tips:
- Prep shrimp properly by cutting into chunks, leaving the shell on.
- Hook shrimp multiple times or curl tightly around the hook.
- Consider using circle hooks or bait threads for better hold.
- Heavily salt shrimp overnight before using for added firmness.
- Check and rebait frequently to keep fresh shrimp in the strike zone.
Using the right techniques and gear makes a huge difference in shrimp bait longevity. Follow these tips to finally stop cursing at baitless hooks, and start reeling in more trout, reds, and flounder on shrimp!
Hook Shrimp On A Jighead [VIDEO]
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To make shrimp on a jig head hydrodynamic (so they won’t spin around in the water against their will) and aerodynamic (so they’ll cast far), follow these steps:
Step 1: Pinch the tail off.
You let more scent into the water when you pinch off the tail, and you also make room for the hook.
Step 2: Thread the hook through where the tail was and out of the back.
This will help the shrimp stay straight in the water. Make sure the hook goes out through the middle of the shrimp.
Step 3: Cast it out and catch some fish!
You can drag shrimp on a jig head along the bottom, bounce them on the bottom, or do a lift and drop like I did here to get them back.
All three methods work, so test them and see what is working for you that day.
Pro-tip: Use a boxing glove-style jig head.
Although I was using a trout eye jig head in this video (which I prefer for using artificial lures), I recommend a boxing glove style jig head, like the Mission Fishin jig head, if you’re fishing live shrimp.
This is because when it’s on the bottom, it’ll sit upright.
You can see that when Hollywood put the shrimp on the trout eye jig head, it just slid off of his hand.
It’ll do that under the water, too, which doesn’t look natural.
But with a boxing glove-style jig head, it’ll sit upright, look more natural, and catch more fish.
You can get the boxing glove style Mission Fishin jig heads from our store here.
To hook shrimp on a jig head, pinch off the tail and run the hook through the hole where the tail was and out of the shrimp’s back.
This makes it hydrodynamic (so it doesn’t spin in the water) and aerodynamic (so it casts far). It also catches fish, as the two snook I caught here show.
Have any questions about rigging shrimp on a jighead?
What’s your favorite way to hook shrimp on a jighead?
Let me know down in the comments.
You can get the Mission Fishin jig heads from our shop here.
And if you’re in the Florida Keys and want to book a trip with Capt. Hollywood and his crew, you can find them at FloridaKeysFunFishing.com.
P. S. Want to know about our favorite fishing spots, get fishing tips, and get discounts on our online tackle store? Click here to join the Insider Club!
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How to Bait Dead Shrimp on a Hook Trick / Tip
How to catch shrimp on a reef?
Put the hook through the shell twice. First, put the hook through the underbelly of the shrimp down near the tail. Then, pull half of the hook out through the shrimp, twist it around, and insert the point back into the top of the shrimp. This will keep your shrimp on the hook more securely. You don’t need live bait to catch fish on a reef.
How do you hook a shrimp?
Insert the hook from under the shrimp’s head, and push the barb out on top, avoiding the vital organs. This method is preferred when fishing the bait off the bottom. Insert the hook through the top of the shrimp’s head, working the point under the vital organs before pushing it out elsewhere on the top of the head.
How do you keep shrimp from sticking to a jar?
Place a piece of cut shrimp on top of the salt. Place a layer of salt on top of the cut shrimp. Place another piece of cut shrimp on top of the salted shrimp. Repeat alternating between salt and shrimp layers until the jar is full. The salt will preserve and toughen the shrimp to make it stay on the hook longer.
How do you Rigg a shrimp?
Bury the hook in the shrimp’s body when fishing in a lot of weeds. This method of rigging a shrimp is similar to the self-weedless rigging that bass fishermen use when fishing plastic worms. Break off the tail fan, then run the point completely through the tip of the tail.