You simply can’t go wrong with rigging live shrimp on a hook for inshore saltwater fishing!
It’s so simple that even kids can do it (watch this video to see little Shauna catch the most snapper).
Since everything eats shrimp, this is a great way for new anglers or parents to help their kids catch a fish to make quick, tight lines.
The Best Places to Hook Live Shrimp for Maximum Success
Finding and catching live shrimp to use as bait is one thing, but knowing where to hook them properly is just as important for fishing success As an avid angler, I’ve learned through trial and error over the years that not all areas on a live shrimp are equal when it comes to hook placement By hooking shrimp in the right spots, you can keep them lively longer, prevent them from falling off the hook easily, and give yourself the best chance of enticing strikes.
In this article, I’ll share my top tips and tricks for getting the most out of your live shrimp by hooking them in the optimal locations. Whether you’re casting, drifting, or bottom fishing, you’ll learn the best techniques so you can put more fish in the boat!
Hook Through the Head for Casting and Trolling
When you’re going to be casting and retrieving or trolling with live shrimp, I recommend hooking them through the head. This keeps the shrimp anchored securely on the hook and helps prevent them from spinning around or falling off as easily.
There are a couple different ways you can do this:
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Go under the shrimp’s head and push the hook’s barb out the top. Avoid vital organs for maximum liveliness. This works well for bottom fishing.
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Insert the hook through the top of the head and thread it under the vital organs before bringing it out the top again. Good for avoiding snags on the bottom.
The only potential downside is shrimp hooked through the head come off a bit easier than other methods. But I find the security of this approach worth it for casting and trolling situations.
Through the Carapace for Drift Fishing
When you’re drifting or float rigging with live shrimp, hooking through the carapace (shell) crosswise allows the shrimp to swim naturally with the current. This takes advantage of their inherent swimming motion to attract fish.
Simply poke the hook under one side of the carapace then out through the other side, being careful to avoid the stomach and digestive tract area. You’ll impair their liveliness less this way.
For added casting distance, you can also hook just under the head and bring the hook out the carapace mid-body. This lets you get more yardage on each cast before the shrimp spins on the retrieve.
Through the Tail for Surface Cruisers
Casting to visible surface feeding fish calls for hooking shrimp through the tail section. This shifts the weight forward for better aerodynamics and casting distance.
Start by breaking off the fanned tail section – this releases additional fish-attracting scent in the water. Next, push the hook through the meaty base of the tail and out the bottom so the entire bend and barb are exposed.
Using a bait holder hook can help grab onto the tail better. The shrimp’s body will hide most of the hook shank and make it appear more natural to predator fish.
Bury the Hook for Heavily Weeded Areas
Fishing in extremely weedy conditions calls for a special weedless approach to prevent constant snagging and lost baits. Burying the hook point into the shrimp’s tail section allows you to punch through vegetation easily.
Simply break off the fanned out tail, then insert the hook into the tail meat and rotate it so the point faces the shrimp belly. Push the barb into the thickest part of the tail until it disappears inside.
The weedguard prevents weeds from catching on the hook, while the barb still allows fish to take the shrimp and get hooked with a good bite. The shrimp remains lively longer as well.
Match the Size of the Hook to the Shrimp
No matter which part of the shrimp you hook through, be sure to match your hook size accordingly. Smaller shrimp call for smaller thinner wire hooks in the #4 to #2 range. Medium shrimp take #2 to 1/0 hooks, while large shrimp can handle 1/0 to 3/0 sizes.
You want a hook just big enough to go through the desired part of the shrimp’s body while leaving the barb and point fully exposed. Oversized hooks kill shrimp quicker and undersized ones allow the bait to slide down and cover the barb too easily.
Frequency of Entities:
wikiHow – 1
YouTube – 1
live shrimp – 20
shrimp – 40
hook – 50
tail – 15
head – 10
carapace – 5
Fishing With Live Shrimp For Beginners [VIDEO]
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In most cases, the majority of strikes will come right at the bottom or close to it.
A 20lb monofilament leader leads to a circle hook with a split-shot weight. Live shrimp are all you need for this easy shrimp rig.
The shrimp should be heavy enough to stay on the bottom but light enough that the current can move it along the shore.
To start, tie a snug knot with the leader and circle hook.
I used the Orvis Knot for this video. It’s a very strong, small, snug knot.
The split shot should go about 10-12 inches up from the hook.
Whether you are fishing with experienced anglers or children, you should always be using circle hooks.
If you are not looking or holding the rod when the fish takes the hook, it won’t get gut-hooked with a circle hook.
The fish will end up hooking itself in the corner of its mouth.
That is not the case with other traditional hook styles.
If you really look at the shrimp’s head, you can see its brain in the darker part of its head.
You want to put the hook between the brain and the eyes, but not under the spine.
This will hold the shrimp tight to the hook without injuring the shrimp.
The goal is to keep the shrimp’s appearance as natural as possible.
In the water, the shrimp will be able to move around freely, which will make them more appealing to fish that are looking for food.
And when hooked this way, shrimp stay alive on the hook for a very long time.
Finding The Fish Help
Make sure you target the right areas by checking out the three tools below. They will save you a lot of time and help you stay on top of the latest feeding trends and weather forecasts.
These regional plans will tell you exactly what kinds of places to visit in less than 10 minutes. All you have to do is click the video to begin, and you’ll know what to do on your next trip.
This one-of-a-kind software tells you exactly when you’ll be fishing and where the most fish are likely to be feeding. It takes into account the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly figure out which areas to focus on during the day.
You can use the Insider Community platform to find out what’s biting near you and to meet other members who fish in the same area. You can also keep track of your catches with it, so you can use past trips to help you guess what you’ll catch next.
Rigging Live Shrimp In The Head vs. Tail (Best Way To Rig Shrimp)
How do you rig live shrimp?
Correctly rigging live shrimp will help you keep your shrimp alive, as you don’t want a dead shrimp to use as a live bait rig. Behind the horn is where you can hook the shrimp when you want to rig shrimp through the head part. You can insert your hook point just below the head and push the wire to the top of the head.
Can you hook live shrimp?
When it comes to hooking live shrimp, one of the most important things to consider is how to avoid causing any damage to these delicate creatures. Shrimp have soft bodies that can easily be injured if not handled properly. To prevent harm, it’s crucial to use the right technique when hooking them.
How do you catch a shrimp with a hook?
Break off the shrimp’s tail fan, then thread the hook through the tail center to hide it and poke it out through the underside of the tail, far enough for the shrimp body to cover the hook eye. You may want to use a baitholder hook, one with barbs on its shank, to better hold the shrimp’s tail in place.
What Hook should I use when fishing live shrimp?
Depending on the fish you’re trying to catch, use the lightest and smallest hook when fishing live shrimp so the shrimp can swim freely. Jon Stenstrom is a fishing enthusiast. He has over 25 years of fishing experience, and 6 years of spearfishing experience, and is currently learning how to boat.