Hey there! I’m Thomas, a Florida native and shrimping enthusiast who’s spent countless nights in the Gulf waters hunting for these tasty crustaceans. After years of trial and error, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you catch your own bucket of fresh Gulf shrimp. Let’s dive right in!
Essential Gear You’ll Need
- Florida recreational saltwater fishing license ($17 for residents, $47 for non-residents)
- Boat (though some spots are accessible from shore)
- Dip net or cast net (8-10 foot with 3/8 to 1/2 inch mesh)
- Headlamp or bright light source
- Bait bucket
- Gloves (trust me, those spiky little guys can hurt!)
- Ice cooler
- Tide chart
Best Times and Locations
Peak Seasons
- Early summer (May-July)
- Winter months (December-February)
- Night time is the right time! (Most productive after dark)
Prime Spots Along the Gulf Coast
- Charlotte Harbor (massive estuary system)
- Cedar Key (my personal favorite spot)
- Grass flats near barrier islands
- Brackish estuaries
- Mangrove-lined channels
Catching Methods That Actually Work
1. Cast Net Method (Most Popular)
This is my go-to technique for filling up the bucket fast
- Choose shallow grass flats during outgoing tides
- Look for brown flecks in the water (shrimp signs!)
- Throw net as flat as possible
- Let it sink completely
- Pull lead line quickly
- Shake vertically to gather shrimp
2. Night Light Method
Pro Tip: I've found this method works best during new moon phases when it's darkest!- Anchor your boat in 3-4 feet of water
- Set up bright lights pointing downward
- Wait for shrimp eyes to reflect (they look like tiny red dots)
- Use dip net to scoop them up quickly
3. Bait Shrimping Technique
- Set 3-5 bait poles about 10 yards apart
- Use fish scraps or commercial bait balls
- Mark poles with reflectors
- Let soak 30+ minutes
- Cast net around poles once shrimp gather
My Top Tips for Success
-
Timing is Everything
- Plan around low tides
- Darker nights = better catches
- Summer and winter peaks are best
-
Location Strategy
- Find protected areas with grass beds
- Look for moving water
- Avoid overfished spots
-
Handling Your Catch
- Layer ice in cooler (don’t just dump on top)
- Head shrimp soon after catching
- Keep them cool immediately
Safety First!
Listen y’all, I’ve learned these lessons the hard way:
- Wear non-slip shoes (those flats get slippery!)
- Bring bug spray (mosquitoes love shrimpers)
- Let someone know where you’re going
- Watch for stingrays when wading
- Keep hydrated (Gulf heat is no joke)
Legal Stuff You Gotta Know
- 5-gallon daily limit per person (heads-on)
- Valid fishing license required
- Check local regulations (they change sometimes)
- Some areas have seasonal closures
- Traps must be marked with owner info
Storage and Cooking Ideas
After a successful trip, here’s what I do with my catch:
Short-term Storage
- Keep on ice immediately
- Use within 2 days if refrigerated
- Head them for longer shelf life
My Favorite Recipe
Quick Gulf Shrimp Scampi:- Fresh caught shrimp (peeled)- Garlic & butter- White wine- Lemon juice- Serve over pastaCommon Mistakes to Avoid
- Using wrong net size
- Shrimping during wrong tide
- Forgetting lights for night fishing
- Not checking regulations
- Poor ice management
Y’all, catching shrimp in the Florida Gulf ain’t rocket science, but it does take some know-how and patience. Start with these basics, and you’ll be bringing home fresh shrimp for dinner in no time! Remember, every trip is a learning experience – I’m still picking up new tricks after all these years!
Got questions about Gulf Coast shrimping? Drop ’em in the comments below, and I’ll share what I know. Good luck and happy shrimping!
[Note: Always verify current regulations with FWC as they may change after this 2025 guide’s publication]
Where to Go Shrimping
There are a variety of places to go recreational shrimping in the U.S. The Gulf Coast is home to great shrimping spots in states like Texas, Louisiana, and especially Florida. Check out our guide on the best places to shrimp in Florida for a more in depth list on great Florida shrimping spots.
Depending on the method you choose to use, there are multiple types of nets available to use to catch shrimp.
Cast nets are the most common tools used in recreational shrimping. Opt for a net with a mesh size suitable for the shrimp species youll be targeting. The size of the net typically ranges from 6 to 10 feet, depending on your preference and the fishing area.
Dip nets are a very popular method of netting shrimp and are especially great for kids. Dip nets tend to have a smaller mesh and a long pole-like handle allowing the user to have a further reach.
A seine net is a large rectangular shaped net with floats along the top edge and weights along the bottom edge. Seine nets are designed to be used in shallow water areas such as estuaries, marshes, or along the shoreline. This type of net offers the advantage of covering a larger area compared to other shrimping methods such as cast netting or dip netting. They can be particularly effective when targeting shrimp in shallow water areas, as they allow for the capture of a significant number of shrimp in a single haul.
Do I Need a License to Go shrimping
In order for someone to recreationally shrimp, a person must have a fishing license in order to take or attempt to take shrimp from salt water must have a valid fishing license. Specific rules and exemptions vary state to state, so be sure to look up the local fishing regulations for where you plan to fish to get the most accurate information.
Watch this Video Before You Go Shrimping | Tips & How to Catch Shrimp | Where to Find Shrimp
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.
Do I need a license to shrimp in Florida?
License requirement: Recreational saltwater fishing license(resident or non-resident), unless exempt. Bag Limit: Individuals can take 5 gallons, heads on, per harvester per day. Possession limit of no more than 5 gallons, heads on, per vessel at any time regardless of the number of persons onboard.
What month is shrimp season in Florida?
Gulf Pink Shrimp
Pink shrimp are the most abundantly caught shrimp in Florida. They have two peak seasons: March to May and then October through December. Pink shrimp are most commonly caught in the southern waters of Florida, especially near the Keys, giving them the nickname of “Key West Pinks”.
How are Gulf shrimp caught?
Gulf shrimp are primarily caught using trawls, which are large nets dragged along the seafloor. These nets are designed to scoop up shrimp as the boat moves forward.