I go only once a year maybe twice…was in cowpens Fri.
could have filled a cooler but they were 90% small and 10% worth keeping…
I use a 1/2 net 6 ft net and shrimped/ set poles from 3-7 ft. I also use bait binder…
Just curious if thats just the size of shrimp around in the area I was or should I make some adjustments in my approach to find the bigger shrimp in the same area or move to another location entirely…
Not looking for any specific spots just advice in being more productive…What size net do y’all use so you don’t have to cull so many small ones?
I have gone to Bulls Bay 4 times and I don’t catch anything. I am new to this area though. There must be a great secret that I can’t figure out. What depth and mud type is the best also is there an area that’s better than another. I’m just tired of wasting gas and bait.
AT any given time shrimp can be caught in good numbers almost anywhere in the Bay, but it changes by the tide. One key to daytime shrimping in the Bay is you need to be in muddy water…if you seen the horn of the net much more that a foot down in the water, it’s probably too clear to do well. Because the tides move a lot, you can see the mud come and go in a short while, turning the shrimp off an on. Look for other boats and get close enough (I know this’ll raise some hackles) to see if you see something in their nets when they pull in, if not, keep searching. Also, when you try a new spot, you might put out one or two poles and bait them and see if there’s anyone home, or else, set the whole run of poles, but only bait a few. Along the channel behind Bull Island is a good area, either end of Bird Island can be good, and often, just right out in the middle is good. Behind the island with the stranded boat is a channel which can be good. Lots of other places in the Bay…just keep looking. Most who catch them have experienced dry years in the beginning.
I had a similar experience in Cowpens a few weeks ago where the numbers were as good as I have seen, but the size was much smaller. A week before the big storm I was also out in Cowpens and the size was great with mixed numbers. All I can figure is the storm pushed the smaller shrimp out of the creeks.
I’m headed out next weekend and may go to Bulls Bay for first time in several years to try to find better size. I have had much better luck in Cowpens in recent years but it appears the size is better right now in BB. In previous trips to BB I usually set up just south of white banks. Any reports from that area? I have never set up by Bird Island or Bull Island but may venture that way to try my luck.
Thanks John. Getting fired up to go for third time this year. I’m keeping my boat in McClellanville so I think I’m going to hit Cowpens late Friday afternoon/evening (dark) and then head out to BB on Saturday. It’s crazy that before the storm the shrimp sizes were large in Cowpens but got very small, but thick after the storm. If I get on the small ones again I’m going to throw those back as it is a huge pain popping heads on that many small ones…
