Shrimping season begins this Friday and the chatter has already begun about what type of year we will have. Last year’s winter was hard on the white shrimp population, but the reports are that all of the rain we had this past summer has helped the populations rebound to healthy levels once again. With all of the speculation and anticipation, we will begin to know what type of season we are going to have after this coming week.
Theories abound on when the best time to shrimp actually is. Some folks will tell you incoming tide, while others are dead set on outgoing tide. Over the years we have treated shrimping more like fishing. With kids entering the picture and becoming more involved in sports and other activities that eat up your time in the evening (in a good way), the best time to go shrimping is when you can. If you wait for the perfect weather and perfect conditions you will end up shrimping very little. Shrimping is also much like fishing in that the more you go the more you learn and you hope that translates into more successful trips. Always make sure you are in compliance with all of the laws as the penalties can be quite expensive if you are found in violation. Make sure you read the rules of shrimp baiting as well as boating at night. Each year you will see a boat without the proper running lights or lights that do not work properly. Boating at night can be dangerous so make sure you are familiar with the waterway when under way and keep an eye out for other boaters as well. We hope everyone has a safe and productive season this year.
Andy Pickett,
CharlestonFishing.Com</font id=“blue”>