Does anyone have any opinion or good/bad experience with different pole set-up strategies? Specifically, parallel or perpendicular to the tide current? Also, does anyone free cast to see if shrimp are present prior to setting up poles / baiting?
Thanks!
quote:
Originally posted by Skeep-HopDoes anyone have any opinion or good/bad experience with different pole set-up strategies? Specifically, parallel or perpendicular to the tide current? Also, does anyone free cast to see if shrimp are present prior to setting up poles / baiting?
Thanks!
If they’re in the area thick, you’ll see them jumping in the prop wash. Free casting is hit/miss. We put out 3 test poles, bait them and see which one produces then put out the rest of the poles accordingly.
2016 Boston Whaler 230 Vantage w/300 Merc Verado
I always set the poles across the current - perpendicular. If your poles are in a line with the current it causes problems. When I throw the net I want the current to pull me away from the pole , and not into the next one. a perpendicular set up attracts more shrimp. We arrive to set the poles at the end of the falling tide. then we anchor. When we see current swing the boat in the opposite direction , its time to get them . The first 2.5 hours of incoming are the best. no need to do a test throw.
Thanks!
I set up parallel with the current and find that to be more successful. Maybe try perpendicular if you’re new to a particular spot to figure out what depth the shrimp are sitting in. You’ll find them think on a certain group of poles and maybe a little thinner as you go deeper or shallower. Find that depth and try to set up on it next time. They like muddy water with current so keep an eye out for that. You can head into the current to let it pull you away from your pole after casting, just remember to be very light on the throttle bc you can blow your bait balls away if you’re not careful.
I agree on the muddy water part because we’ve never done much good in clear water. So to add to this discussion. What type bottom do you prefer. We usually try to stay off the shelly stuff and get somewhere with a little softer bottom but last year it seemed like our bait was getting buried in the pluff mud. The poles would be hot for 20 or 25 minutes and then die off. Rebait and we’d be good again for 20 more minutes.
Ask the boat driver…they are the ones that have to deal with he current, the wind and the pull of the net. No easy task for a rookie. The key to bait shrimping is putting the net over the bait. I setup the poles based on the anticipated conditions to put me in the best position possible to hit the target without messing up the shrimp on the next pole
more than current, play the wind. Much easier to throw with the wind at your back.
quote:
Originally posted by Surf or FishI set up parallel with the current and find that to be more successful. Maybe try perpendicular if you’re new to a particular spot to figure out what depth the shrimp are sitting in. You’ll find them think on a certain group of poles and maybe a little thinner as you go deeper or shallower. Find that depth and try to set up on it next time. They like muddy water with current so keep an eye out for that. You can head into the current to let it pull you away from your pole after casting, just remember to be very light on the throttle bc you can blow your bait balls away if you’re not careful.
I shrimp Bulls bay when I go . Its a huge area with lots of life, and different depths. I like to run in from Garris landing and enter Bulls in the channel that’s about 30’ deep. I go about a mile and slow down and turn left and slow down to idle. I plant my first pole in 5’ of water and my last pole is in about 2’. Typically , when the incoming current starts the shrimp show up on the deeper poles first, and then the shrimp show up gradually on the shallower poles, and the numbers gradually reduce on the deeper end. That’s one of the reasons I don’t do a parallel set.
Incoming tide from top of page to bottom
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV current direction
1___2____3____4____5_____6____7____8_____9____10 Poles
With the poles being perpendicular to the current, I can catch shrimp for a longer period as the shrimp seek shallower depths. If my poles are in line with the current it will limit the productive time, And I will only be catching shrimp only in that “flow” . I was doing this in the 70’s before their were laws. I like a LONG 10’yds between my poles - like a Carolina 10 yds when they’re playing Clemson .
Your going to want to set up driving into the current you’ll run the poles more effeciantly that way. If the shrimp are there thick you can run the poles fast and fill your box faster.
23’ seacraft
quote:Exactly. I drive against the current slowly and when the net guy throws I put it in neutral and let the current push me away from the pole while the net is dumped and readied for the next approach.
Originally posted by interceptor4Your going to want to set up driving into the current you’ll run the poles more effeciantly that way. If the shrimp are there thick you can run the poles fast and fill your box faster.
23’ seacraft
I get there can be some depth changes within 100yds but nothing significant to establish poles in a particular manner. If the change in depth is too great your bait will not remain at its drop location.
quote:
Originally posted by natureboyquote:
Originally posted by Surf or FishI set up parallel with the current and find that to be more successful. Maybe try perpendicular if you’re new to a particular spot to figure out what depth the shrimp are sitting in. You’ll find them think on a certain group of poles and maybe a little thinner as you go deeper or shallower. Find that depth and try to set up on it next time. They like muddy water with current so keep an eye out for that. You can head into the current to let it pull you away from your pole after casting, just remember to be very light on the throttle bc you can blow your bait balls away if you’re not careful.
I shrimp Bulls bay when I go . Its a huge area with lots of life, and different depths. I like to run in from Garris landing and enter Bulls in the channel that’s about 30’ deep. I go about a mile and slow down and turn left and slow down to idle. I plant my first pole in 5’ of water and my last pole is in about 2’. Typically , when the incoming current starts the shrimp show up on the deeper poles first, and then the shrimp show up gradually on the shallower poles, and the numbers gradually reduce on the deeper end. That’s one of the reasons I don’t do a parallel set.
Incoming tide from top of page to bottomVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV current direction1___2____3____4____5_____6____7____8_____9____10 Poles
With the poles being perpendicular to the current, I can catch shrimp for a longer period as the shrimp seek shallower depths. If my poles are in line with the current it will limit the productive time, And I will only be catching shrimp only in that "
quote:
Originally posted by LadyFriendI get there can be some depth changes within 100yds but nothing significant to establish poles in a particular manner. If the change in depth is too great your bait will not remain at its drop location.
Never had a problem with that. I don’t make bait balls . I make cookie or patty shapes. The shrimp are moving from deeper water to shallower as the tide rises from low. If all your poles are the same depth you limit the active catching time.
Lots of theories but the bottom line is you need to be able to throw the net and drive without running over poles and bait. You usually want to throw with the wind or at least not into the wind. Covering multiple depths is useful. And having poles exactly in line with the current can cause you to run over your poles. Every single time is a little different and you have to call it based on the conditions. I will usually set one pole and see where my drift in the current is before setting the whole line. I’ve gotten so right the driver barely ever had to shift into gear…and so wrong driving was over the top hard and we’d have to skip poles. It is an art form.
Biker just said “Shrimping is an art form”. I love it!! Request permission to use that in the very near future, Biker?! Could not agree more! Lmao
Perpendicular typically allows for a more broad depth pattern; some poles will be hotter than others. This helps knowledge-wise with future sets. Happy Shrimping!
Perpindicular set is a great way to lose shrimp poles. Places like bulls bay are few and far between. I like to set mine parallel with the current, but Perpindicular with the wind if at all possible. It makes life easier when driving the boat, and you don’t risk leaving a pole behind because it went underwater, or got left high and dry on top of a flat.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
If you run poles perpendicular in the River, you better have some long poles!
Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it!
If you run poles perpendicular in the River, you better have some long poles!
Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it!