Things You'll Need:
- Live shrimp
- Hook
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Step 1
There are several different ways to successfully bait a live shrimp. The hook can be inserted behind the back of the head, under the head, through the abdomen or through the tail. Experiment with different methods and choose the one that works best for you.
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Step 2
If fishing with a float or in the current, insert the hook through the head by piercing the shrimp's carapace (the big shell on its back) just under the tip of the shell behind the head and in front of the two black spots on its back. Do not pierce either black spot.
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Step 3
If trolling or bait casting, hook the shrimp beneath the "chin" and push the hook inside, past the head, and up through the middle of the carapace.
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Step 4
You can also insert the hook through the abdomen. Remove the shrimp's tail fan; the shrimp will then give off a scent in the water to attract fish. Insert the hook into the abdomen just in front of the tail and thread the hook until the curve of it can no longer be seen. Push the tip of the hook up and into the tail meat of the shrimp. You can also face the hook downward: push it through the body so the tip of the hook is exposed under the bottom of the shrimp.
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Step 5
For basic casting and drift fishing, insert the hook through the tail. Push the hook into the center of the tail, just ahead of the fan either from the side or from the bottom. Slide the tip of the hook through the tail so it is exposed on the opposite side.
