Hey there fellow anglers! I’ve spent countless hours testing different baits, and let me tell you – frozen shrimp can be an absolute game-changer when it comes to catching fish Today, I’m gonna share everything I’ve learned about using frozen shrimp as bait, from proper rigging to proven fishing techniques.
Why Choose Frozen Shrimp as Bait?
Before we dive in, here’s why frozen shrimp deserves a spot in your tackle box
- Super convenient – Available at any bait shop or grocery store
- Budget-friendly – Way cheaper than live shrimp
- Stays on hook better – Firmer texture means less lost bait
- Versatile – Works for multiple fish species
- Easy to store – Keep some in the freezer for spontaneous fishing trips
Step-by-Step Guide to Fishing with Frozen Shrimp
1. Thawing Your Shrimp
First things first – you gotta thaw those frozen crustaceans properly
- Put shrimp in sealed bag and submerge in cool water (30-60 mins)
- Run cool tap water over shrimp in colander (15-30 mins)
- Quick-thaw in microwave (5-10 secs max – don’t cook them!)
Pro tip: Pat shrimp dry after thawing to help them stay on the hook better.
2. Rigging Your Frozen Shrimp
Here’s my favorite rigging method:
- Remove the tail fan and head
- Thread hook through tail end toward head
- Use thin wire hooks for better penetration
- Add rubber bands/mesh thread to keep bait secure
- Consider using jig heads for extra weight and stability
Best Hook Setup:
- J-style hooks work great
- Match hook size to shrimp size
- No need to go bigger than 3/0 or 4/0
3. Proven Fishing Techniques
I’ve found these techniques work best with frozen shrimp:
Bottom Fishing
- Let bait sink to bottom
- Use pyramid sinkers in current
- Great for flounder, snapper, grouper
Drift Fishing
- Slow drift over structure
- Keep lines tight
- Perfect for trout, redfish
Retrieval Method
- Slow drag across bottom
- Lift rod tip 6-8 inches
- Pause between movements
- Reel in slack
- Repeat
Best Fish Species to Target
From my experience, these fish love frozen shrimp:
- Redfish
- Speckled Trout
- Flounder
- Snapper
- Black Drum
- Pompano
- Whiting
- Sea Bass
Pro Tips for Success
Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
- Check regulations – Some areas have rules about frozen bait
- Add attractants – Try soaking in menhaden oil or shrimp juice
- Match local bait – Use size similar to natural prey in area
- Rotate bait – Change shrimp every 10-15 mins if getting short strikes
- Watch your rod – Frozen shrimp won’t wiggle like live bait
Storage Tips
Keep your frozen shrimp fresh with these tips:
- Buy bait-specific frozen shrimp when possible
- Store at 0°F or below
- Keep in original airtight packaging
- Avoid frequent temperature changes
- Use within 12 hours once thawed
- Never refreeze thawed shrimp
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t make these rookie errors:
- Using food-grade instead of bait shrimp
- Letting shrimp get too warm
- Not securing bait properly
- Fishing too fast
- Ignoring local regulations
Final Thoughts
While live shrimp might be considered the gold standard, frozen shrimp can be just as effective when used properly. We’ve caught everything from redfish to tarpon using these methods. Just remember to rig properly, fish slowly, and keep your bait fresh.
Happy fishing!
P.S. Don’t forget to bring extra frozen shrimp – you never know when the fish will be really hungry!
Best Jig Heads For Frozen Shrimp
Since you’ll be dragging these shrimp across the bottom, it’s best if they’re sitting upright.
Jig heads with flat bottoms, like boxing glove style jig heads, work really well here.
On this trip, we were using these Mission Fishin jig heads.
These jig heads also work well with soft plastics, so you can quickly and easily switch between lures and frozen shrimp on the water.
If you need a plan B, frozen shrimp make a great option.
They’re cheap, easy to use, and nearly always available, plus, fish love them!
I recommend rigging them on a jig head with a flat bottom (like these Mission Fishin jig heads) and then retrieving them slowly across the bottom.
Big thanks to Capt. Mark “Hollywood” Johnson from FloridaKeysFunFishing.com for putting us on these fish and opening my eyes to frozen shrimp.
Have any questions about using frozen shrimp?
Let me know down in the comments below.
And if you know someone who’s sick of only catching catfish with them, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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How To Rig Frozen Shrimp
You want to rig frozen shrimp just like you would rig live shrimp.
Here are the steps:
- Tear off the tail
- Put the hook through the hole where the tail was and pop it out of the top of the shell
- Make sure it’s streamlined
This will help make your shrimp look natural, which will help you catch more gamefish.
And another thing that will help you get a good presentation to the fish is using the right jig head…
How To Rig & Fish FROZEN SHRIMP For Inshore Slams
FAQ
Can I use frozen shrimp for fishing?
Conclusion If you need a plan B, frozen shrimp make a great option. They’re cheap, easy to use, and nearly always available, plus, fish love them! I recommend rigging them on a jig head with a flat bottom (like these Mission Fishin jig heads) and then retrieving them slowly across the bottom. Big thanks to Capt.
How to put frozen shrimp on a hook?
Methods for Rigging Dead or Frozen Shrimp
Make your pieces about the same size as the hook—fish will just nibble off any excess flesh and swim away without getting hooked if the shrimp pieces are too big. Then, thread the hook through the shrimp’s body from the tail or head end.
How to thaw frozen shrimp for fishing?
Submerge in Cold Water: Fill a large bowl with cold water and make sure the unopened bag of shrimp is fully submerged. Change Water Regularly: Change the cold water every 30 minutes to continue thawing effectively and maintain a safe temperature.