The Best Way to Salt Shrimp for Bait

Shrimp make excellent bait for catching a variety of saltwater fish Their scent attracts fish from a distance and their soft flesh stays on the hook well. But fresh shrimp spoil rapidly in the hot sun while you’re fishing. Salting shrimp is the best way to preserve them so you’ll have bait that lasts all day With just a few simple supplies and steps, you can easily make your own salted shrimp bait at home.

Why Salt Shrimp for Bait?

Salting shrimp provides a few key advantages over using fresh shrimp as bait:

• Prevents spoilage – Salt cures the shrimp meat, drawing out moisture and preserving it for hours without refrigeration. This prevents waste from throwing out unused fresh shrimp at the end of your fishing trip.

• Extends time in the water – Salted shrimp stays on the hook longer than fresh shrimp. The salt firms up the texture so it doesn’t wash off as easily in the waves and current. This results in more time actually fishing instead of re-baiting your hook.

• Enhances scent dispersion – As salted shrimp sit in the water, the salt slowly dissolves, releasing amino acids and creating a scent trail that attracts fish from a wider area. Fresh shrimp lack this long-distance fish-calling capability.

• Easy to transport and store – No need to keep salted shrimp coolers with ice The cured shrimp can be carried in a jar or container without refrigeration Leftovers keep for weeks stored in the salt,

Supplies Needed

Salting shrimp for bait requires only a few simple, inexpensive supplies:

• 1 quart sized plastic container with lid – A mayonnaise jar or plastic food storage container works well. Avoid glass jars which could break while transporting.

• 2 pounds of peeled shrimp – Smaller shrimp around 5-8 count per pound work best. Avoid using heads or shells which can quickly rot.

• 1 box of plain table salt – No additives like iodine are necessary. A 26 oz box is plenty for 2 lbs of shrimp.

• Small plastic bags – To store measured amounts of salted shrimp for each fishing trip. Freezer bags work well.

• Sharp knife – For cutting the shrimp into smaller pieces to better absorb the salt.

• Measuring cups – To accurately measure layers of salt and shrimp while packing the jar.

How to Salt Shrimp for Bait

With the supplies gathered, salting shrimp takes just 10-15 minutes:

1. Rinse peeled shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

2. Cut the shrimp into 1/2″ pieces. Smaller cuts cure faster and stay on the hook better.

3. In the quart container, pour a 1/2″ layer of salt across the bottom.

4. Add a layer of shrimp pieces, filling about 1/3 of the container’s height.

5. Pour another 1/2” layer of salt over the shrimp.

6. Alternate layers of shrimp and salt until you reach 1″ from the top. End with a salt layer.

7. Seal the container and refrigerate 8-12 hours to cure.

8. To use, rinse a handful of shrimp in freshwater and load directly on your hooks.

9. Store leftovers in the salt in the sealed container up to 2 weeks.

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Salted shrimp layered with salt in a plastic container cures and preserves the shrimp for bait fishing.

Tips for Making Great Salted Shrimp Bait

Follow these tips to get the most out of your homemade salted shrimp bait:

• Use fresh shrimp within a day or two of purchase – fresher starter shrimp makes better cured bait.
• Cut shrimp in consistent small pieces so it cures evenly.
• Layer similar amounts of shrimp and salt for proper curing. Too much shrimp leads to spoilage.
• Make sure shrimp is fully submerged in salt to prevent oxidation.
• Cure at least 8 hours to fully penetrate the shrimp. 12-24 hours is even better.
• Rinse salted shrimp well before baiting hooks to remove excess salt.
• Air dry rinsed shrimp so it doesn’t get slimy before loading on hooks.
• Swap out bait every 30-60 minutes for best action. Salted shrimp weakens on the hook over time.
• Keep hands and cutting boards clean when preparing to avoid contamination.
• Store cured shrimp in the refrigerator if keeping more than 2 weeks.

Make Your Own Superior Shrimp Bait

Whipping up a batch of salted shrimp bait takes minimal time and effort but pays big dividends out on the water. You’ll catch more fish and save money by reducing bait purchases. Adjust the shrimp-to-salt ratio and cure times to suit your conditions. Soon you’ll have family and friends begging you to share your secret homemade bait recipe.