Hey there, fellow anglers! Today I’m gonna share something that’ll change your surf fishing game forever – catching ghost shrimp These little critters are literally right under our feet at the beach, and they’re absolute fish magnets for everything from whiting to redfish
What Are Ghost Shrimp Anyway?
Before we dive into catching them let’s get to know our target
- Scientific name: Callianassa subterranean
- Appearance: Translucent body (hence the “ghost” name) with lobster-like claws
- Habitat: Found in almost every square foot of Florida beaches
- Tunnel system: These guys are master diggers, creating tunnels up to 25 feet long!
Why Ghost Shrimp Are Worth Your Time
Listen up – these aren’t just any old bait:
- Available year-round
- Found in abundance on most beaches
- Proven to catch multiple species:
- Whiting
- Drum
- Redfish
- Trout
The Essential Ghost Shrimp Catching Setup
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2-foot long 2-inch PVC pipe
- Rubber ball (for creating suction)
- Bucket with beach water
- Sand to line your bucket bottom
- Magic Thread (for securing bait on hooks)
Step-by-Step Ghost Shrimp Catching Guide
-
Spot Selection
- Look for small holes in the sand
- Focus on tidal pools (they’re easier to catch here)
- Best during lower tide stages
-
Using Your Ghost Shrimp Pump
- Drive PVC pipe about 2 feet into sand
- Create suction using rubber ball
- Pull up slowly to collect sand and shrimp
-
Handling Your Catch
- Place in bucket with beach water
- Add sand layer at bottom
- Don’t worry if some get cut in half – fish will still bite!
Pro Tips From Experience
I’ve learned these tricks the hard way:
- Don’t bother with shovels – they’re useless for ghost shrimp
- Storage is tricky – they’re best used fresh
- Look for areas where waves wash over the holes
- If you find one, there’s usually more nearby
Best Times to Catch Ghost Shrimp
- Low tide is your friend
- Any month works (they’re year-round residents)
- Early morning or late afternoon for comfortable hunting
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Digging with regular shovel (waste of time!)
- Looking in wrong spots (those holes ain’t from sand fleas)
- Not going deep enough with your pump
- Trying to store them too long
Using Ghost Shrimp as Bait
Here’s the real deal on rigging:
- Thread carefully onto hook
- Use Magic Thread to secure (important – they’re soft!)
- Present naturally in surf zone
- Replace often if needed
Why I Love Ghost Shrimp Fishing
Let me tell ya, there’s something satisfying about catching your own bait. Plus, these little guys have outfished my other baits plenty of times. It’s like having a secret weapon that’s literally everywhere on the beach!
Final Thoughts
Ghost shrimp fishing ain’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of know-how. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing this all along. Trust me, your fishing buddies will be mighty impressed when you pull these productive little baits out of the sand!
Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t get discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t super successful. Keep at it, and you’ll be a ghost shrimp catching pro in no time!
So grab your PVC pump, head to the beach, and start catching these natural fish magnets. Your tackle box (and your catch rate) will thank you for it!
P.S. Don’t forget to check local regulations and tide charts before heading out. And always leave the beach cleaner than you found it!
Ghost Shrimp Pumping Tutorial
Neotrypaea californiensis (Ghost Shrimp), are often thought of when fisherman think of sturgeon. Ghost, grass, and mud shrimps are highly sought after bait when targeting these ancient dinosaurs, and this ghost shrimp pumping tutorial will provide you with all the information you need to get started!
“A resident of marine sloughs and bay flats on the west coast of North America, ghost shrimp burrow in seafloor sediments. These burrows protect the shrimps’ soft, white bodies. But more important, as the shrimp wriggle along, they collect food from the sediments and from the water flowing through the burrows.” –
Range: Alaska to Baja California in the intertidal zone or mud flats
Ghost and mud shrimp can be found on sandy and mudflats through out California. Here are a few locations where they can be found in Northern California:
- Moss Landing
- Crown Beach (Alameda)
- Alviso (North San Jose)
- Alameda Rock Wall
- Half Moon Bay
- Tomales bay
- Bodega bay
However, Ghost Shrimp can be found all around mud flats, harbors and back bays through out California.
Ghost shrimp are limited to 50; however, most anglers will tend to use less per trip. I encourage only taking what is needed.
Here the Ghost and mud shrimp regulations: [DFG Regulations]
Equipment to Pump Shrimp
Here is the easiest way. This is also good for digging horse neck clams in Tomales Bay. It has a lot of uses if you plan on playing in the intertidal zones a lot like i do. I highly recommend getting this because it is multipurpose.
Instructions on building a Slurp Gun https://skyaboveus.com/fishing/Making-a-Simple-Ghost-Shrimp-Bait-Pump Making your own slurp gun
HOW to PUMP GHOST SHRIMP {BEST SURF FISHING BAIT}
FAQ
How far down are ghost shrimp?
Found at water’s edge, they burrow down in seafloor sediments, collecting bits of food. Though they are small, reaching up to three to four inches, Ghost shrimp can dig burrows that can be four feet deep.
How deep are ghost shrimp holes?
To find enough food, the ghost shrimp tunnels almost constantly, reworking the sediment to a depth of as much as 30 inches (76.2 cm).
How rare are ghost shrimps?
Palaemonetes shrimp are one of the most common shrimp species in the aquarium hobby and you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding them. Because they are often used as feeders, you might be able to find them at your local pet- or aquarium store for a low price.
What fish eat ghost shrimp?
Many aquarium fish will eat ghost shrimp, especially those with larger mouths. Some common examples include angelfish, cichlids, and pea puffers.
Are ghost shrimp a good surf bait?
A surf fishing bait so abundant and so productive it’s almost … spooky. Ghost shrimp are surprisingly abundant and excellent surf bait—if you take the time to catch them. Have you ever heard of a ghost shrimp? Yeah, me neither. How about their scientific name Callianassa subterranean? Oh heck no.
Are ghost shrimp good bait for sturgeon?
Ghost shrimp, such as Neotrypaea californiensis, are often thought of when fisherman think of sturgeon. Ghost, grass, and mud shrimps are highly sought after bait when targeting these ancient dinosaurs.
Where can I find ghost shrimp?
Ghost Shrimp can be found all around mud flats, harbors, and back bays throughout California.
Are ghost shrimp good bait for dinosaurs?
Ghost, grass, and mud shrimps are highly sought after bait when targeting these ancient dinosaurs. This ghost shrimp pumping tutorial will provide you with all the information you need to get started!
When is the best time to catch ghost shrimp?
The best time to target ghost shrimp is during minus tides. However, it is also possible to catch them during a moderate low tide. Their burrows are often hidden under deep water, but they become exposed during certain times of the month when the water recedes.
Do you need a ghost shrimp pump?
So you need a ghost shrimp pump, a suction tool you use to pull plugs of sand out of the beach that hopefully contain the ghost shrimp. You can buy premade pumps online or sometimes in tackle shops but they start out at $60 for a few pieces of PVC put together.