How to Go Shrimping in The Florida Intra Coastal Waterway

Shrimping is a great way to spend a Florida night outdoors. Below you'll find everything you need to get started in "the shrimpin' business". Shrimping is fun, easy and everyone, even kids, can do it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Long Handled, Finely Meshed Dip Net
• Cooler or Bucket
• Fishing Rod (recommended)
• Friend (recommended)

1. 
    
   Shrimp Net

   The first step and the most important is to buy or borrow a long handled, relatively fine messed dip net. These can be found everywhere from bait shops, superstores and even many hardware stores. The general rule of thumb is to get the longest handled net you can afford. This allows you more options as to where you can harvest you shrimp from. (Ex: bridges, piers, docks, etc.)

2. 
    
   5 Gallon Bucket

   The second, and last 'required' item is going to be something to store your shrimp in once you start harvesting them. A cooler works great, though many people simply use a five gallon bucket since that is the allowable daily limit of shrimp, per person, per day here in Florida.

3. 
    
   Fishing Pier

   You now need to find a location that is well lit at night, preferably with lights shining on the water, and has a tidal flow. Common structures that work well here in Florida are bridges, docks, piers, etc. Once you have a location picked out you should check your tide chart. I prefer an outgoing tide. With your location and tide picked out it's time to start shrimping.

4. With all of your planning, equipment gathering and location scouting out of the way it's time to sit back, put a line in the water with a friend and wait for the shrimp to swim by. As your shrimp float by you can scoop them up in your net, place in your cooler or bucket and repeat. It's really that easy, though the shrimp runs are seasonal so check with your bait shop for the best time of year in your area. Enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• Check local licensing and limit regulations
• Harvest your shrimp from allowable areas
• Don't expect five gallons of shrimp every single time

Resources

• My Article on How to Cook Fish on the Beah
• My Article on How to Find the Best Fishing Spots
• My Article on How to Get a Florida Saltwater Fishing License

[askapeach]

on 10/25/2009 My husband and I used to go shrimping in the Halifax River near the Granada bridge but we used a boat. Your article is well written and gives easy to use instructions. Your pictures are great too! 5* and rec

[eyota53]

on 10/17/2009 Thanks so much for this info! I recently have gone crabbing and clam digging and loved it. I wondered how to get shrimp. Will definitely follow your How to on Shrimping in The Florida Intra Coastal Waterway. 5* and recommended!