Went out last Thursday OCT 4 on the Ashley River. Closer to Brittlebank area. Set 8 poles with two bait balls at each right around evening slack tide. Tide was higher than normal. Waited 30 min and made 2 passes. Not many at all but decent size. Waited for tide to drop some more and baited again. Made about 3 more passes and got a few more per cast but nothing impressive. Maybe a 4 pounds total. The size were a lot bigger this year than last couple in same area but just very low numbers. Had a blast with a buddy and had some good laughs and beers. Going to stick closer to Harbor next time out.
Hey mfranzi, according to my tide chart low tide on Oct 4 was around 11:30pm. If you want higher numbers you need bait in water before darkness. The biggest movement of shrimp in the rivers is just at dark and sometimes if water is a little muddy maybe 15 minutes before dark. If tide is dropping at dark set poles deeper to not run out of water. I mostly now only shrimp when the tide is rising when it gets dark, like it is now. I have caught shrimp on every tide, but over the years rising tide is always best.
Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it!
Tailchaser1 gives good advice.
Get there early enough to set poles & bait poles about 30 minutes before the sun gets on the treetops. Work hard during the 2 hours after sunset.
I usually have to go when I can go and deal with whatever tide there is, but sticking poles on a low tide and baiting on low incoming is the ideal for night shrimping. I hate baiting right before a tide change, as it makes finding the bait difficult.
Shrimp invade the flats at sunset. Sometimes it has to be black dark. If you are not set up and ready to run the poles at sunset, you’ll miss the best time for a quick cooler of the nicest shrimp.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Thanks guys! Yeah I set poles right before dark. I got out about 530pm and tried to do falling tide. Ive done both but ill definitely go back to rising night tide. THanks for advice