How to Catch Shrimp

Shrimping is one of the main livelihoods of people who live in the coastal regions. Catching shrimp is an art; it's about timing, tools and technique. Whether you earn a living from shrimping or shrimp for fun, knowing when, where and how to shrimp is important.

Things You'll Need

• Shrimping license
• Cast net
• Boat (optional)
• Shrimp bait (optional)
• Lantern or other light source for night shrimping

Instructions

1. Select a place to shrimp. Coastal states like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina are popular shrimping destinations. Apply for a recreational license in the state where you'd like to shrimp.

2. Check the state's shrimping regulations, which vary by state and season. Regulations include catch limits, shrimping seasons and net size.

3. Decide when you'd like to try shrimping. Night is the best time to shrimp because the shrimp migrate to shallow water and are easier to catch. Daytime is hotter and the shrimp are in deeper water, which requires a boat.

4. Acquire the necessary tools. To attract the shrimp at night, use a light source, like a simple camping lantern, and bait consisting of flour, rock salt and shrimp meal. Choose a cast net that meets the state's regulations.

5. Cast the net into the water. The weights around the parameter of the net make a circular shape and fall down into the water. Once the net reaches the bottom, pull the line and the net will come together as you bring it up to the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Shrimp have horns on their head which are very sharp.

• Look for other wildlife that gets caught in the shrimping net. Immediately toss these "by-catch" creatures back into the sea because some are endangered species or have dwindling populations.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Learn Florida shrimping regulations at the Florida Conservation website.
• The Coastal Conservation Association website contains links to shrimping information and regulations.
• Outdoor Alabama features education outreach information for the public and Alabama shrimping regulations.
• Visit the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources for information on the state's fishing industry.