Hey there! I’ve spent countless hours shrimping from shore, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned to help you get started. While buying shrimp from the store is easier, there’s something special about catching your own – plus it saves money! Let me walk you through exactly how to do it.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before heading out, here’s your essential gear checklist:
- Cast net (6-8 foot radius with 1/4″ or 3/8″ mesh)
- 5-gallon bucket for your catch
- Waterproof LED headlamp (for night shrimping)
- Hip boots or waders
- Small knife for bait/net detangling
- Cooler with ice
- Local fishing license (check regulations!)
Best Spots to Find Shrimp
I’ve found these locations consistently produce good results
- Sandy beaches near inlets
- Around docks and pilings
- Near grass beds and oyster bars
- Shallow mangrove areas
- Areas with gradual, muddy banks
- Spots where freshwater meets saltwater
Pro tip Look for spots with slightly brackish water where you see lots of small baitfish – that’s usually a good sign shrimp are nearby!
When to Go Shrimping
Timing is super important! Here’s when I’ve had the most success
Best Times:
- During rising tides
- Spring and summer months
- Night time (they’re more active)
- Early morning/evening
- Shortly after storms
Tide Timing:
- Middle of outgoing tide
- Around low tide
- First hour of incoming tide
Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Shrimp
1. Setting Up Your Cast Net
- Hold line in left hand, net in right
- Create small loop about 1/3 down the net
- Check for tangles
- Hold part of net in mouth or between fingers
- Grab net arm-length down with right hand
2. Casting Technique
- Shift weight back slightly
- Twist body to side with more net
- Swing arms wide in circular motion
- Release net so it opens in full circle
- Let sink to bottom
- Slowly retrieve after few seconds
3. Working the Area
- Start farther out, work toward shore
- Shrimp scatter after nets hit – be patient
- Try quick second cast to catch scattered shrimp
- Move along bank hitting different spots
Tips for Better Success
- Location Strategy
- Target areas with gradual slopes
- Look for drain outlets
- Check near marsh grass lines
- Focus on mud banks
- Equipment Care
- Rinse net after each use
- Check for holes/tears regularly
- Store net properly when dry
- Keep spare net handy
- Safety First
- Watch for jellyfish
- Be aware of currents
- Bring buddy when possible
- Keep first aid kit nearby
Preserving Your Catch
Once you’ve caught some shrimp, here’s how to keep them fresh:
Short Term Storage
- Keep alive in aerated bucket
- Change water regularly
- Keep in shade
- Don’t overcrowd
Long Term Storage
- Clean shrimp promptly
- Pack in ice immediately
- Store in sealed bags
- Use within 3-6 months if frozen
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
We all make mistakes starting out – here’s what I learned the hard way:
- Throwing net in tangled mess
- Casting too close to shore
- Ignoring tide timing
- Not checking local regulations
- Forgetting proper storage
Final Thoughts
Catching shrimp from shore ain’t rocket science, but it does take some practice! Don’t get discouraged if your first few trips aren’t super productive. Focus on mastering your cast net technique and learning to read the water. Before you know it, you’ll be bringing home enough shrimp for a proper seafood feast!
Remember to check your local fishing regulations before heading out, and always practice sustainable fishing methods. If you’re having trouble finding good spots, chat with local bait shops or experienced shrimpers – most folks are happy to share tips with newcomers.
Need more specific tips for your area? Drop a comment below with your location and I’ll try to provide some local insights!
Shrimping: How To Catch Shrimp From Shore With A Cast Net – Shrimping Tutorial Guide | SFSC
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 to catch shrimp easily?
- Weight your pots.
- Always use floating line at the bottom of your string.
- Use GOOD bait!
- Once you start pulling your set, do not stop! …
- Become really good at coiling your line, making it easier to re-set your gear. …
- Properly mark your buoys.
- Check your chart for obstructions, depth, drop offs.
What is the best tide to catch shrimp?
The best time to cast net for shrimp is during the middle of an outgoing tide moving into low and maybe even an hour or so of the incoming tide.
Where can you catch shrimp?
Although shrimp are found throughout bodies of water, the best places to catch them are at ocean shores, rivers and creeks, bays, lakes, and estuaries. All are shallow and easy to access, allowing you to net large amounts of shrimp as they move from larger bodies of water to smaller ones as they travel around. Go shrimping when the tide is low.
How do you catch shrimp in a dip net?
Dip net shrimpers will utilize lanterns or submersible lighting (typically green light is best) in conjunction with bait to draw the shrimp in. Anglers will wait to see the shrimp passing by in the current and use a dip net (as described in our shrimp tools section) to gather their harvest.
How do you catch shrimp in the shallows?
This can be done from a boat, dock, or even while wading in the shallows. A dip net is exactly as it sounds: a small, handheld net that is dipped into the water to scoop up the shrimp. This is best done at night, with a light to help you spot the shrimps’ reflective eyes. Special shrimp traps can be left in the water, sometimes overnight.
How do you catch shrimp in a tidal creek?
Most of these areas are relatively shallow allowing you to catch shrimp using a cast net, seine, or any of the previously mentioned tools. A good start is to experiment with a cast net in a variety of small tidal creeks until you find the areas with the best concentration. Then it will be a matter of perfecting your skills to maximize your catch.
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.
How do you catch shrimp in a fishing net?
The shrimp can sometimes be harder to spot due to the dissolving bait balls, but you should be able to see generally where they are in the water, and where you should be casting your net. Pull the rope back in to close the net around your catch. Reel the net back in, wrapping the excess rope around your arm as you do.