Do any yall ever free cast for shrimp or have done it in the past? If so what is the best tide to go on? Do big mud flats produce well or shallow shoals along deep water? I have always had poles and used bait in the past but this year I am away from home and get random opportunities to come home. Figured I might as well give it a shot. Any information is appreciated. Thanks.
Find deep holes, 20-50’ and throw a larger net.
“Those who have the ability to make a difference have the responsibility to do so.” Thomas Jefferson
I have been searching for bait before I had any “spots” and used a small brick to locate sime. Simply ease along in shallow water dragging the brick, when the shrimps jump and scatter I would toss the net in that area. Sometimes I’d catch bait and a dinner or two
I caught lots of shrimp free casting in daylight before baiting became popular. My dad died in 2005, but I have lots of great memories shrimping with him.
The areas that produced then were on the main riverbank near good sized creeks. These banks had a very short mud flat below the oysters. Our 21 ft. boat (I still use this boat) was ideal for “hearding” the shrimp near low tide.
We would start shrimping when the outgoing tide got to the base of the oysters and quit when the incoming got back to the oysters. If memory serves, the best areas were from a creek mouth and about 50 yards downriver on outgoing tide, and the same distance from the creek mouth and upriver on incoming tide. The best shrimp creeks still held enough water to enter on low tide, but were not big enough to run on plane at low water.
I preferred a moderate wind blowing directly onto the bank I was shrimping. The resulting muddy water held shrimp. We would point the stern out into the river, tilt up the motor as much as possible, and drop the motor into gear just enough to keep the bow as shallow as possible, but not dragging. The boat would be at an angle with the stern pulling us in the direction we wanted the boat to go. The boat served as a giant “blade” with shrimp running from the boat, but within range of my net.
The shrimp were a little deeper on outgoing tide, but came up very shallow in incoming tide as they were eager to get back in the oysters/grass. We caught lots of shrimp this way in the daytime, but the size was mixed, and I remember doing a lot of culling to get a decent “mess” of shrimp.
When the water and shrimp got in the oysters, we would anchor on “The BassHole” and head shrimp while fishing for “spottails”.
I’m getting old now and am finding it increasingly difficult to get on the water, but I have tons and tons of fantastic memories from when I was a confirmed “River Rat”.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Well Mr spec if you ever want a few hours on the water I’m usually at buck hall every decent weather weekend. I shrimp mostly alone, so all would be required by you would be to sit back and chill and enjoy yourself. I’m the type fella that likes a good story.
All I ever did was free cast before I learned about baiting. We used to cast at night in creeks with a Coleman lantern so we could see their beady little eyes light up.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
Thanks for the offer gotitbad. I’m in Hampton and fish/shrimp mostly the Chechessee/Broad River area. I have several buddies that I can go with. The problem is more that other obligations leave little time for the salt.
My family had a place on Lemon Island when I was a teenager, and we fished Friday through Sunday every weekend in the warmer months. We had 2 boats hanging on lifts, and a quick trip was easy then. We sold the place when life got too busy to use it much.
Now, it is a major issue to coordinate schedules with buddies, find a decent weather window when the tides are right, get the boat ready, etc., etc.
I used to fish 3 and sometimes 4 days per week and knew where and when to find fish. I’m lucky to fish once a month now. Charleston is a long way for me now. But, I do appreciate the offer.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I’ve never done anything but free cast, never baited shrimp in my life and usually manage to catch a cooler full. Shallow water in the warmer months and deep holes in the cooler months.
Spec gave a lot of good advice. When shrimping creeks and river banks we usually run at idle real close to the bank, where the engine is just starting to dig some mud, and goose the throttle every few seconds. When you get into shrimp they will jump like crazy behind the boat. Just circle around, give them a few minutes to settle down, and start throwing the net.
We can catch them day or night, but best results are at night with a full moon. And we usually concentrate on 2 hours either side of low tide.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Thank yall for all the information. I really appreciate it.
Go in a large creek that you know holds bait that is close to the main river and with in a few miles of inlet. At low tide cruise looking for turbulence, usually will be by extra tall grass on the inside of a corner. Sometimes it will be bait fish but you will learn what a popping/swimming shrimp pod looks like the first time you pull up a full net. To cull the shrimp better use a larger net because there will be a mix of small and mediums and the larger net lets more little guys out. I figured this out catching bait and have done it in several creeks. Like to cast