Hey there, fellow seafood lovers! I’ve been shrimping for over a decade now, and let me tell you – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of catching your own fresh shrimp Today, I’m gonna share everything I’ve learned about how to catch these tasty little crustaceans Trust me, once you try freshly caught shrimp, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought!
Why Should You Try Catching Your Own Shrimp?
Before we dive into the how-to here’s why it’s worth giving shrimping a shot
- Fresh shrimp taste WAY better – they have this amazing sweet, briny flavor you just can’t get from frozen
- It’s actually cheaper than buying from stores (once you have your gear)
- Makes for a fun outdoor activity with family and friends
- You know exactly where your seafood comes from
- It’s pretty relaxing (most of the time!)
Essential Gear You’ll Need
First things first – here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Basic Equipment:
- Fishing license & permits (more on this below)
- Cast net (3/8″ mesh, 4-8 feet wide) OR shrimp pot
- Bucket or cooler with ice
- Comfortable shoes you don’t mind getting wet
- Gloves (optional but recommended)
- Light source for night shrimping
For Boat Shrimping:
- Boat safety equipment
- Depth finder (optional but helpful)
- Bait storage container
- Additional coolers
Getting Legal: Licenses & Permits
Before you head out, make sure you’re legal:
- Get a shellfish/fishing license from your state’s Department of Natural Resources
- Check if you need additional permits for specific gear (like shrimp pots)
- Review local regulations about:
- Daily catch limits
- Seasonal restrictions
- Equipment specifications
- Protected areas
Pro tip Don’t skip this step! The fines for illegal shrimping can be brutal and nobody wants that headache.
Best Places to Catch Shrimp
Shrimp love hanging out in these spots:
- Coastal waters
- Estuaries
- Tidal creeks
- Bays
- Rivers (especially where they meet the ocean)
- Areas with sandy or muddy bottoms
- Near marshes and seagrass beds
When’s the Best Time to Go Shrimping?
Timing is everything in shrimping! Here’s what I’ve learned:
Best Times:
- Early morning or evening
- During outgoing tides
- Full moon nights
- Summer through early fall
- When water temps are cooler
Avoid:
- Mid-day (shrimp go deeper)
- Incoming tides
- Stormy weather
- Super bright days
4 Main Methods to Catch Shrimp
1. Cast Netting
This is my favorite method! Here’s how:
- Load the net properly (takes practice!)
- Look for signs of shrimp (surface movement)
- Throw net in a circular motion
- Let it sink completely
- Slowly pull back in
Pro tip: Practice throwing your cast net on land first – trust me, it’ll save you some frustration!
2. Using Shrimp Pots
Great for overnight catching:
- Bait the pot (fish heads work great)
- Sink it in a good spot
- Mark with a buoy
- Leave for about 12 hours
- Pull up slowly
3. Dip Netting
Perfect for beginners and kids:
- Use a long-handled net
- Wade in shallow water
- Look for shrimp movement
- Scoop quickly but smoothly
4. Seine Netting
Good for group activities:
- Two people hold ends
- Walk parallel to shore
- Keep bottom edge down
- Lift together when ready
Baiting Tips & Tricks
What I’ve found works best for bait:
- Fish heads
- Chicken necks
- Cat food (yes, really!)
- Commercial shrimp bait
- DIY bait balls (mix fish bait with clay)
How to Handle Your Catch
Once you’ve caught some shrimp:
- Get them on ice ASAP
- Sort out undersized ones (throw ’em back!)
- Keep only lively ones
- Store in cooler with good drainage
- Clean as soon as possible
Common Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from my fails:
- Not checking regulations
- Using wrong mesh size
- Forgetting ice/coolers
- Poor net throwing technique
- Staying in one spot too long
- Ignoring tide schedules
- Not wearing appropriate footwear
Safety First!
A few important safety tips:
- Watch for sharp shrimp horns
- Wear appropriate footwear
- Bring plenty of water
- Check weather forecasts
- Have proper boat safety gear
- Don’t shrimp alone at night
- Keep first aid kit handy
Final Tips for Success
- Start with easier methods like dip netting
- Go with experienced shrimpers first if possible
- Join local fishing groups for tips
- Keep track of successful spots
- Practice net throwing regularly
- Invest in quality gear
- Be patient – it takes practice!
Remember, every shrimper started as a beginner! Don’t get discouraged if your first few trips aren’t super successful. The more you go out, the better you’ll get at spotting good locations and perfecting your technique.
Well, there you have it – everything I know about catching shrimp! Get out there and give it a try. And hey, if you discover any cool tips of your own, drop ’em in the comments below. Happy shrimping, y’all!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this guide in more detail?
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Find And Cast Net Your Own Shrimp [VIDEO]
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I was out fishing with fellow Fishing Coach Matt Lanier and he mentioned he had never thrown a cast net before!
Since we were on top of a TON of shrimp, I figured I’d give him and you all a little lesson.
How To Find And Cast Net Shrimp In Your Area
FAQ
What is the best bait for catching shrimp?
Tuna, canned pet foods, and fish carcasses are all good choices, but for ease of use, effectiveness, and durability, pick up a bag of Bait Binder The ‘Original’. Happy Shrimping! Dip Netting for Shrimp: Dip netting for shrimp is popular in many areas, but perhaps nowhere more so than Florida.
How are most shrimp caught?
A cast net is a large, weighted net that is thrown out over the water and sinks to the bottom, trapping the shrimp underneath.
How deep are shrimp caught?
Shrimp move up and down in the water column throughout the day and night. Spot Shrimp can be found and caught anywhere between six and 1500 feet! My most productive secret shrimp holes are on knolls in 350- to 450 feet of water.
How do you catch shrimp?
Shrimp tend to move into deeper waters making them harder to catch. There are various methods and gear for catching shrimp including: Circular weighted nets that are thrown over shallow areas. Effective for catching shrimp that have congregated. Use nets with 1⁄4 inch mesh. Takes practice to master tossing technique.
How do you catch shrimp at night?
Dragged through shallow waters to capture shrimp. Cover more area than cast nets. Wire boxes baited to lure shrimp inside. Let soak on bottom then pull up trap. Check regulations in your state. Underwater green lights used to attract shrimp at night near nets or traps.
How do you catch shrimp in a fish trawl?
Traps can be baited with a variety of lures, from fish guts to artificial baits, and are often set in areas with a high concentration of shrimp. Trawling is a specialized technique that involves dragging a net or trawl behind a boat to catch shrimp. This method is typically used in open waters, where shrimp are dispersed over a large area.
How do you catch white shrimp?
White shrimp can be found in shallow waters that are less salty than the waters pink and brown shrimp reside in. If shrimping at night, use green light to avoid scaring the shrimp with white light. On overcast days the shrimp will be closer to the surface than on sunnier days. Purchase a casting net with a proper mesh size for catching shrimp.
Where can I catch shrimp?
They are readily found in small creeks and in larger bays feeding on shallow flats. Most of these areas are relatively shallow allowing you to catch shrimp using a cast net, seine, or any of the previously mentioned tools.
How do you fish for shrimp?
For shrimp, use nets with a mesh size opening of 3/16 to 1/4 inches across. Prepare shrimp baiting poles to cast your net around. You can make these by taking a several foot long PVC pipe with a 1-inch diameter, and securing a metal pole into one side of it.