Going to give it a try for the first time year. Any do’s or don’t?
Creeks or bigger water?
Just planning on learning by trial and error but any tips will be greatly appreciated.
The search button on this site is your best source. When you hit the water, make sure you have 2 coolers: 1 empty(for shrimp) and the other full (beer). At the end of the day if you have 2 empty coolers, you still had a great time.
Muddy water/bottom with a decent current
If you tuck your peepee between your legs and shake your butt they will come.
Some pointers:
Look for a flat that is beside a channel/deeper water. Set up on edge. Shrimp come up from deeper water to feed on the flat and in marsh at high tide. A dip/depression with steep drop as well as smaller creeklet channels tend to funnel the shrimp onto the flat. That will be the X. (I found most of my spots on MapQuest topo/nav maps yrs ago - gps# and all)Also - Make mental notes where all you see folks set up every time you go. A GPS is your best friend!! Helps you save and find your spots and get your azz back to landing if a fog sets in. Also miss crab pots and mud/oyster banks. Follow the line home.
If new to an area only set maybe 2-5 poles and bait 1 balls per pole. If no shrimp in 30 min or so - MOVE!!! Try again. When you find shrimp then you put out all 10 poles and 2-3 balls per pole. Golf ball size and flatten out like small burgers.
You can anchor up and “One Pole” to find spots or not have to bother running the poles with boat and fighting the wind/tide. Two anchors out front and one out the back. Min of 1 pole by law required but, use one on either side of boat. Bait the snot out of it and just sit there. You need the poles to know where bait is. Boat still moves some with wakes and tide. You can still cooler out if in a good spot - it is more relaxed method but, you do tend to consume more beverages that way.
Just wait some between throws this way.
Set poles 3-4’ deep at dead low or 8-10’ at high. You have to estimate when between. Easier to strategically place bait at low.
My favorite is setup 2 hrs before low - shrimp until dead low. Rebait and eat a Sammy. Shrimp first 2-4 hrs of incoming. BUT you go when you can and just try to hit stronger tides.
If using a 7’ net set bait 7’ from poles. Be consistent placing it. Throw where the net centers the bait and just touches the pole on the back. Use some lead in your throw with a strong tide to hit spot. You will not catch shrimp if you don’t hit the bait.
Don’t bother to go on weak tides. Much better near ful
Great advice.
18’ Hewes Bayfisher
Excellent advice.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Don’ts:
Don’t forget to put the drain plug in your boat. Done it!
Do not cut in line at the landing. Wait your turn.
Do not back your boat to the top of the ramp, and then start loading gear. Do this before backing down. When loading the boat after a trip, move your rig well out of the way of the ramp before unloading your boat.
Do not set your poles just ahead of someone who has just started setting his poles.
There is plenty of river. Set your poles away from others.
Don’t set your poles outside another set of poles. This will not be appreciated.
Do not ask questions of someone while they are running their poles. Wait until they take a break, and approach quietly and respectfully. Most are willing to help if you do not interfere with their shrimping.
Do not make enemies on the water. You may need a friend in an emergency.
Don’t try to get away with breaking the law. The law will “break” you!
Do: Always go out of your way to help others, especially those in trouble. Deeds (good and bad) have a way of coming back to you eventually.
Do: Have fun, enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, don’t get too worked up over little things, and bring others who don’t have a boat.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Great advice from all! It took me several years to figure it out on my own
1720 Key West
Johnson 115 four stroke,
Field and stream eagle Talon12
All really good advice above! Dont get discouraged if you dont do well your first couple of tries. It will take practice to find right depth to set poles and set them in a straight line. Just like anything else you learn as you go! Most everyone will share a little info to help you out…like the good folks that already posted earlier.
2009 Sea Hunt 22BX PRO
150 Yamaha
‘Done Diggin’
1993 27’ GW Sailfish
twin 200 HPDIs
spec and jford pretty much nailed it.
For ice freezing a Tupperware bin into 5+ lb blocks works much better than bagged ice.
Use a cooler for the shrimp that has a drain or drain them often so they don’t sit in water.
Use a 5/8" mesh net…the 7 or 8 ft advice is spot on.
Use care maneuvering the boat when you poles are shallow. If you prop wash the bait on a pole
you probably won’t catch any shrimp on that pole.
Consider trying to “one pole”. It will let you practice throwing a net and using bait without having to drive the boat
in wind and current. I’ve cooler up a few times one poling.
Frozen water bottles make good “ice”.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
my biggest don’t: if you see dolphins coming towards your poles, don’t stay!!
Chris
Greenville
36 Century
Chasin Tail