In southern coastal states, the shrimp that spend the summer in marshes, bays, and creeks move back to the open ocean every year. This is one of many signs that fall is here.
In states where it is legal, shrimpers follow these outgoing migration routes in the fall to catch shrimp with nets. They use different lures to get a lot of the tasty crustaceans to gather in one place. For people who have never done it before, “shrimp baiting” might seem like an easy way to catch shrimp, but it’s not.
Here are some tips that will help you go from being a beginner to almost an expert in just a few trips. It is important to remember that different states have different rules about shrimp baiting. Not knowing the local law is not an excuse for not following the rules.
Shrimp bait balls are a clever way to attract shrimp to a specific area when cast netting. The scent draws shrimp in for an easy harvest. Making effective shrimp bait takes the right ingredients and technique This guide covers everything you need to know to make irresistible shrimp bait balls at home.
Why Use Shrimp Bait Balls
Shrimp bait balls concentrate scent to pull shrimp to one spot. This allows cast netters to throw right over the bait for full nets of shrimp. Benefits include:
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Draws shrimp to a precise area for easy targeting
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Appeals to a shrimp’s strong sense of smell
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Can attract more shrimp than scattering loose bait
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Bait disperses slowly to keep shrimp nearby
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Lets you control exactly where bait is located
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Reusable for multiple casts in one spot
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Fun and effective for recreational shrimping
With the right recipe and technique, shrimp can’t resist swarming a well-made bait ball!
Best Ingredients for Shrimp Bait
Two key ingredients form the base of most homemade shrimp bait:
Clay
Clay powder binds the ball and makes it sink. Look for white cosmetic clay or kaolin clay at craft stores. Clay allows slow dispersal in water.
Fish Meal or Fish Oil
Dried fish meal or fish oil creates scent. Menhaden oil, also called “menhaden milk,” is a popular choice. The strong fishy smell attracts shrimp.
Extra add-ins can include wheat bran, flour, cheese powder, shrimp shells, or commercial attractants. Start simple with just clay and fish meal or oil.
Equipment Needed
Gather these supplies to make bait balls:
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Clay powder – White kaolin or cosmetic clay
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Fish meal or fish oil – Menhaden oil works well
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Large bowl and spoon – For mixing ingredients
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Glass jar – For storing leftover oil
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Pantyhose or mesh bag – For holding balls
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Powdered gloves – Keep hands clean
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Old towel – Spread balls out to dry
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Pole or rope – For sinking balls
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Cast net – For harvesting shrimp
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Shrimp Bait Balls
Follow these simple steps:
1. Mix the Ingredients
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Start with a 50/50 mix of clay and fish meal or oil
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Use a spoon to blend thoroughly in a large bowl
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Consistency should be thick, sticky dough
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Add more clay or oil as needed
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Knead with hands once combined
2. Form the Balls
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Take grape-sized pieces of dough
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Roll into balls between palms
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Shape should be round and roughly golf ball sized
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Place formed balls on a towel as you work
3. Dry the Balls
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Let balls air dry for 12-24 hours
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Turn over halfway through drying
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Balls will be firm when ready
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Store dried balls in mesh bag
4. Deploy the Balls
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Tie ball 6-10 feet below marker buoy
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Ensure rope is shorter than water depth
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Drop balls upstream of casting area
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Let sit 15 minutes before casting
5. Catch Shrimp
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Throw cast net over bait ball
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Quickly pull net up by line
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Gather shrimp from bottom of net
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Rebait and repeat!
With the right ingredients and shaping method, the bait balls stay intact until hitting the water, then slowly dissolve to bring in shrimp.
Shrimp Bait Ball Tips
Follow these tips for best results with your shrimp bait:
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Use fresh menhaden oil for strongest scent
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Add a bit of water if dough won’t stick together
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Toss balls from upstream to spread scent
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Set bait in areas with moving currents
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Check regulations before deploying balls
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Start shallow and move deeper as season progresses
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Bring extra balls to redeploy as needed
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Keep balls away from casting area when netting
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Consider adding small weights to speed sinking
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Use gloves and wash hands after handling bait
With practice, you’ll master making irresistible shrimp-catching bait balls!
Alternative Shrimp Bait Methods
While balls are very effective, here are some other baiting approaches:
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Loose scatter – Simply scatter fish meal or oil bits in area.
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Mesh bags – Place attractant in mesh bags to slowly diffuse.
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Weighted rope – Tie bits directly along the rope.
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Hay bales – Let bales soaked in attractant sit to draw in shrimp.
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Predrilled PVC – Insert attractant in drilled PVC pipe.
Test different methods to see what works best in your local waters. Balls give the most control over scent dispersal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do shrimp bait balls last in water?
Balls usually diffuse fully in 30-90 minutes depending on current. Redeploy new balls as needed.
Can I use flour instead of clay for the balls?
Yes, but clay helps the balls hold shape and sink better. Use a 50/50 flour/clay mix.
Is cheese powder good to add to shrimp bait?
Yes, shrimp love the scent of cheese powders. Add some for extra attracting power.
How do I keep bait balls on a rope from tangling?
Tie a small weight at the bottom and attach balls 6-10 feet up from it.
Can I reuse leftover shrimp bait balls?
It’s best to make fresh balls each time for maximum potency. Old balls lose scent.
Make Your Own Shrimp Bait
Now that you know the basics, get creative with your own shrimp bait recipes and methods. Adjust ingredients and consistency until you perfect balls that catch shrimp best in your area. With the right tools, technique and a bit of practice, you’ll be a shrimp bait ball master in no time.
Start Shallow Early In The Season
Most states have set times when baiting for shrimp is legal. It’s important to remember that shrimp live in relatively shallow water in the summer, but as the season goes on, they will move deeper and closer to the ocean.
Typically, baited spots are marked with poles so the cast netter knows what area to cast to. At the start of the season, half or more of a 10-foot pole might stick out of the water. By the end of the season, when shrimping, only a few inches of the pole should be above water.
Use The Wind and Tide
Shrimp baiting is typically more productive when the water current is moving. Whether the current is caused by the tide or the wind, line up your bait and poles so they are not going with it. If you line up bait piles, the last two or three areas will be productive because the scent of the bait will blow over areas that aren’t being used.
Place your baits perpendicular to the current to get the most scent in the water. This lets the scent cover a larger area of water, which will attract more shrimp and more shrimp to each site.
A lot of shrimp bait recipes use some kind of clay to keep the bait together and help it sink to the bottom. There, the current slowly melts the bait balls away, luring shrimp to the source.
A tidal flat is not the best place to throw bait balls at random. Instead, hold the bait ball in an 8–10-foot length of cord and a mesh produce bag like the ones you buy at the store. At one end of the cord, tie a small loop knot so it can slide up and down the pole. At the other end, tie the cord to the bag. This way, you can be sure that the bait ball will be 10 feet away from the marker pole and straight down current.
The goal is for the net’s horn to land directly on the ball with each throw, so figure out how much drift is needed and make sure the weight line lands where it needs to.
For example, a 10-foot net has a 5-foot radius. Suppose the net moves two feet before it hits the ground. Your goal would be to land the net’s edge three feet from the marker. If you land the edge of the net three feet from the marker and let it drift horizontally for two feet, the horn will be right on top of the bait ball (as long as it’s on a 10-foot leash), and the rest of the net will wrap around it completely.