What mesh size is recommended for shrimp?
If catching shrimp during baiting season, the minimum mesh size is 1/2". If just every day catching bait to fish with, then anything goes. Most people use a 3/8" mesh for that.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I like 3/8" over 1/2".
If you’re shrimp baiting, I’d do 5/8. It keeps you from having to cull out the babies and sinks faster. 8’ works for us! It makes a difference to not buy the walmart kind…Tim Wade out of Florida makes a nice net at a decent price too.
Just keep in mind that 1/2 in. is minimum legal opening. I’m leaning toward 5/8 for my next net b/c of what Dirtyoars said.
I also like 5/8" for shrimp baiting. I don’t want to head a lot of small shrimp. Get the biggest net you can throw. I have had several Tim Wade nets and love them. It took a while to get used to the huge horn he uses, but I learned that makes the net open flatter, resulting in more shrimp than you lose through the big horn opening.
For catching bait in the creeks, I use “disposable” 5 ft. Walmart nets. I keep a spare on hand. I can get a 5 ft net into little indents in the edge of the grass where the baitshrimp hide at mid-tide. These nets are cheap, and I don’t feel so bad if I throw one of them over a shell bed and tear a few holes.
I use 1/2" mesh on my bait nets so I don’t have to argue with the man. I used to use 3/8" on bait nets, and that size catches more bait shrimp when they are really small.
I have not researched the legality of 3/8" for daytime shrimping, not over bait. Some of the above posts lead me to think 3/8 is legal, but not during shrimp baiting season. Does anyone know for sure when/if 3/8" is still legal?
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
quote:
I have not researched the legality of 3/8" for daytime shrimping, not over bait. Some of the above posts lead me to think 3/8 is legal, but not during shrimp baiting season. Does anyone know for sure when/if 3/8" is still legal?
I have, and the mesh size for casting without bait is not specified anywhere. No difference for day or night, or season, if you are not baiting.
It is clearly specified that it must be at least 1/2" for taking shrimp over bait.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Thanks Cracker Larry. So, that means 3/8" is OK as long as you are not casting over bait. I’ll probably just stick with 1/2", especially during baiting season. Bait can be everywhere then. I can usually get bait size shrimp with 1/2" by tucking the net fast.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Thanks for all of the info.
I like the idea of the smaller cheap net to use in shallow creeks or areas with a lot of underwater structure.
I tear up my share of nets every year…
Yep, you don’t need a high quality net for catching baitshrimp. Usually just a few casts fills the livewell, even if the crappy net has a few holes and does not open like an expensive net. I patch my nets with dental floss before a trip. I find that the shrimp you catch yourself catch fish better than shrimp that slept in a bait tank a night or 2 before I buy them. Sometimes I want to get on the water really early to make a certain tide at daybreak, before the bait shops open. I can fish Arties early, then catch bait later. On the other hand, if I am not in a big hurry, I like to support local bait dealers, and sometimes don’t want to take time to find bait.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I looked at the current regulations and all it mentions is using a seine no more than 40 ft by 6 ft deep with 1/2 inch mesh. Does that mean then 3/8 mesh is legal?
Cracker Larry’s post above indicates 3/8 is OK, except you must use 1/2" over bait. I think it is probably best not to have a 3/8" net in the boat during baiting season. I’ll ask Mr. Greenjeans next time he checks my boat.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
If you get checked at the ramp and have even a 4ft net that’s 3/8" mesh in the boat with your shrimp poles, cooler of shrimp and three 8-12ft nets with 5/8" mesh and 2 young kids with deer in headlights expressions, you WILL get a ticket for the 3/8" mesh net.
I can’t claim it as my own, but true story…
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
This is what you need to know…
When you have or are in possession of shrimp poles and or shrimp bait, i.e. you are shrimping over bait or have the intention/capability to shrimp over bait. 1/2" Mesh minimum. Must have Shrimping license.
Do not carry extra nets in the boat that do not meet the above law, they will ticket you, even if you weren’t using that net for shrimping over bait, they will ticket you, and you will not like the number they attach to the ticket.
When you are not in possession of shrimp poles and/or shrimp bait. you can use any size castnet you want.
There is no law that says during the shrimp season no one is allowed to have a net smaller that 1/2". The 1/2" law is specific for only those people who are taking shrimp over bait.
Lets all take care to follow the laws so no one is encouraged to change them. They almost never get better.
It’s not just poles. It is also bait on board. I was told by a DNR agent there are three items considered to be bait shrimping. i.e. net, bait and poles. Those three or any combination of two of those items will get you a ticket out of season. FYI
edit to include what baitshrimper said.
23sailfish uses a 3’ net. he can pancake that badboy all night.
“Enough hijacking, this is a major thread”