Anybody done any lately? A couple of buddies and I plan to head down and give it a try in the next week or 2. We’ve never tried it before but I’ve heard some real good stories about it. Not sure whether we’ll head to the harbor or Bennets point but any pointers such as strategy, type of nets that work best, etc. would be appreciated.
Better in colder months. Right now the shrimp are shallow.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Cracker Larry is right - colder is better. White shrimp are still too small and browns (I have been told by a couple pro shrimpers) are far out away from shore. Let us know how you do.
Thanks for the insight guys. We’ll give it a try anyway since we want to go scout some new ground. I’ll let ya know how we do…
961 War Eagle CC w/90 Yamaha
Deepholing for shrimp is usually done in November and December. I’ve never been real successful with it. I get my shrimp over bait. You need a taped net, and you need to know what shrimp look like on the bottom on your depth finder. There are pics of taped nets and screenshots of depthfinders showing shrimp on the bottom on the internet, and maybe on here.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Mature white shrimp should start showing up in the holes in the next two weeks or so. If there aren’t any other boats there, there most likely are no shrimp as well. The good spots get covered up by boats when they are doing good.
Olde Man Charters
OK, maybe there is a summer “shrimpery” for deep holing. I keep learning something new about the river on here.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Remember when this topic was taboo? sigh…
quote:
Originally posted by SchoolsOut1Remember when this topic was taboo? sigh…
Maybe a mod will delete, and we can say what topic?
Still taboo & no deep holes left…
quote:
Originally posted by lil noahStill taboo & no deep holes left…
they’ve all filled in…stick to baiting…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
Tie the deep hole net rope to a cleat, not to your arm. That way you don’t get pulled in if the net snags on something on the bottom.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Deep hole is best on a slack tide and with a driver that can keep you over the net, until it reaches the bottom. Then move away a bit so that you close up the net with a bit of a horizontal pull, making the shrimp run towards the horn.
186 Bone Flats Boat
140 Suzuki fourstroke
So we haven’t got to make it down yet but are getting reading for baiting season. Since I am sort of a newby here, I have to ask why is this topic taboo?
961 War Eagle CC w/90 Yamaha
I think it is a case of “self regulation”. You don’t want to catch all your “seed”.
Those in the know can find and slay big shrimp in deep holes. This activity tends to attract other boats like flies to spit. The tightly packed shrimp population in a deep hole can be wiped out by a “fleet” of boats.
So, if someone “finds” them, they keep it a secret. They will get hammered if they put specific locations on the web.
Many on here are happy to tell you how to do it, but will not tell you where.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
10-4 spec…I understand now. WE just wanted to try it a few times in the afternoon prior to setting up the poles to get a head start. We typically drive down from the upstate after work and come back when we’re done. Those slow nights when it takes us till past midnight to get close to a limit make for long rides back to Newberry.
961 War Eagle CC w/90 Yamaha
I trailer from Hampton. Those slow nights often mean I get to bed around 2 am after heading shrimp, trailering an hour to get home, washing and bagging the shrimp, etc. Then, I get up after a nap and flush and wash the boat. You gotta love the river - otherwise the “store bought” shrimp would be mighty attractive.
As far as “finding them”, look for a dozen boats circling in a melee at a big creekmouth, etc. Join in the “fun”. Trying to find them by yourself has a steep learning curve. I am not really good at this, but have been a “joiner” a few times.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
The main reason it is taboo is that DNR saw lots of reports/pictures of deep hole catches and started asking questions in their year-end surveys. THAT worried people that possible new regulations/fees/etc. on deep-hole were coming. And they could still be coming. As far as seed - shrimp are about like doves - what you don’t kill this year (mature) don’t usually survive til the next year.
186 Bone Flats Boat
140 Suzuki fourstroke
I don’t mind giving hints to how, but sure won’t tell you where. Hint. Deep holes:wink:
It can be extremely productive if you know how to find them. Last December after food shrimp season was closed, we needed some bait shrimp. The limit is 12 dozen for bait. 2 casts, one off the mark, one not and we had 100 dozen shrimp. Big ones. Counted out 144 for the bait tank, released the rest alive and well. You can put a hurting on them if you don’t have ethics.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Thanks for all the input. I’ve just heard some folks up around Columbia say that if you ever start this technique, you’d never mix another bait ball. Found that kinda tempting and just wanted to try.
As for locations, I’ve been reading many maps of various areas from Bennets Point down to the harbor and have found many 30-40’ holes in rivers surrounded by shallows and flats that looked perfect for some experimenting. Gonna give it a try in a few weeks just to waste some time and try to learn a little.
My biggest reason for wanting to try this is to take the wife and granddaughters out for a day trip and let the girls watch granddad catch some shrimp. No way they’ll go with me in the harbor at night and we’ve not been able to find anything but mediums and smaller in Bennets Point. Like I said, I’m new to this as last year was my first year going with some of my buddies but I was so addicted to the larger shrimp we were catching in the harbor that I bought a new boat mainly to take to the coast and get the family involved.
I sort of suspected that not many shrimp make it through the year as G8rnsc mentioned but I sure hope my luck with the shrimp is better than my luck with the doves 
961 War Eagle CC w/90 Yamaha