This will be my first year baiting, I’m really excited but scared I’ll end up like Forrest Gump and only catch 5. I bought 3 poles to start off with. I put in at the Ashley & 526. Where should I put poles?
Any tips to a newbie would be extremely appreciated!! Hope to see y’all on the water.
Cocacola, not to familiar with that side of Charleston (I do most of my shrimpin’ in the Crab Bank area)so I’ll let someone more experienced tackle that one. Last year was my first year and I was instantly hooked. Something about catching the shrimp you are going to eat and being on the water at that time of night is what hooked me. I learned most of my techniques from the great members on this site and most of them are really helpful. The only thing I would suggest, if you don’t get many replies, is post again when its closer to shrimpin’ season. This forum goes dead about 2 weeks after the season is over and doesn’t pick back up until about a month before the season opens, so don’t get discouraged.
Also, even if you only catch 5, just the fact of being on the water is better than sitting at home in front of the idiot box. You only gain experience the more times you do it. I caught 4 my first time, my have I learned so much since then. Enjoy it and good luck.
Thank you! So is the night thing a ‘must’ do?
Just find where shrimp are popping in the day time and go at night. And for your first time maybe anchor the boat and just throw bait balls all around the boat. A lot easier. Mudbanks and creek mouths are always a pretty good spot. Hope this helps
I don’t know how true it is but I heard a lot of stuff about shrimp being bad on the Ashley. I believe because of the high phosphorus content DON’T go alone. Have somebody driving somebody throwing and maybe a third ice chest man. Once you get a lot mire experience you may be able to go alone using the 1 pole method. Buy 1" PVC poles to use and put them out every 5-10 yards. Watch the tide and know what its gonna do. Throw all your hair balls on a certain side Kilda say the left is that’s the way the tide is running. Make sure to throw them all on the same side so you remember. Mud bottom not sand. Also when the water is in the grass the shrimp are 2. You can draw some out if your close 2 the grass but most shrimp are caught going into the grass or out of it on either side of the tide. You’ll get the gang of it. Make sure to fully understand the scdnrs rules on this. Good luck!
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the mud minnow.
I wouldn’t say the night thing is a must do, but your results will be much better. I’m not sure of the exact reason, probably because the water is muddy, but shrimpin’ in Bulls Bay can be done at any time, day or night. Simplified, shrimp are basically food for fish. If the shrimp come out in the day time, they are easily seen and gobbled up. At night they are more hidden, hence why shrimpin is better at night. As Yakman said, learning the DNR rules are a must, nine times out of ten you will get visited by DNR at some point while shrimpin’ whether it’s on the water or at the landing. If your following the rules and not an ass to the Game Warden you won’t have a problem. Coosawanke is describing the one pole method. This has been perfected on this forum by the member ‘onepole’. Use the search feature to find his method, he has on numerous occasions described it in detail. Do your research on here and during the season and figure whats best for you.
I put in there all the time, and last season went to the DNR/JIYC area and a few other nearby spots I’m not going to divulge here:wink:. still pretty new at it, but managed to get quite a few my first season! Not sure what kind of boat you’ve got, so if that’s too far or you don’t want to try to navigate the the harbor at night I’ve seen people shrimping in the lower Ashley but can’t personally recommend it. I tried a few times and just caught a lot of mud & debris and very few shrimp compared to areas around the harbor edges. Water always seems very dirty in the Ashley, makes me question whether I really want to eat shrimp from it. They’re probably fine, but the few I did catch went in my bait bag in the freezer instead of dinner.
Definitely recommend learning the “onepole” method - a lot easier, and if you’re only sticking in three poles I’d say you’re better off just staying in one place. I have actually used three poles to stake out my boat with good results when I didn’t have enough anchors to use the onepole method as described. bow anchor, one pole at the bow, one off each stern corner to keep the boat from swinging. Won’t work with a huge boat/flimsy poles/strong tide or if the current changes direction too much, but did the job for me in a pinch!
Totally addicted after one season of shrimping, and bummed that that after this fall I’ll be moving and won’t be able to do it again. learned a lot by reading and using “search” on this forum (be specific or sometimes the server chokes) and the rest by trying it! Good luck!
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
Great info everyone, thank you so much! I’ll be shrimping from a 20’ Scout Sportfish 202. I’m loving this ‘stay in one spot’ method. I wasn’t so sure about wifey navigating the boat well enough…aka it would be ugly.
You do know that there is a season! Does not open till Sept, and you will need a licence.
Oh yeah I understand. I have until Sept to learn all I can though.
You probably need tips from a master baiter. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
CC210, I wasnt tring to be a smart a$$ about the season! But you know some people? Would be glad to have you tag along on a trip when it starts! Aint the smartest or best but have been dooing this for longer than I can remember! Need sholder surgery again now but puttin it off till after the season
You can come with me also in the Jon boat… ill be doin the one pole method unless I have somebody to help!
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the mud minnow.
Yakman pm me I shrimp out of shem creek and would be more than willing to go with ya or you can come with me
grab the gaff and another cold beer
Ok I will. I’m 14 btw and I know a lot about it but me and my dad are not masters by any means.
Toobusy I’m a master baiter… Shrimp baiter that is
There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the mud minnow.
most 14 year old boys are masterbaiters. sorry guys; just could not help it. it was there and i had to take the line and run with it. ha ha ha
Hey cokecola, When you are at the landings and “out of everybodys way” go talk to several of the shrimpers coming back from shrimping. Ask questions, transfer information with these people. I have learned a great deal of info and have passed on info to others doing this. Get to know them if only by the kind of boat they have or where they are from. Some of them will brush you off but most will be helpful. Monitor this thread everyday during shrimp season. You will get hooked like the rest of us shrimp nuts.
Good advice baitshrimper!!