How Do You Catch Shrimp In Florida
🦐 Get Your Shrimp On, Florida Style! A Totally Tubular, Super Lengthy Guide to Crushing the Crustacean Game 🍤
Listen up, buttercups, because we're about to drop some serious knowledge bombs on how to snag those tasty little swimmers down in the Sunshine State. Forget those tiny, frozen things—we're talking fresh, wild-caught Florida shrimp! This ain't your grandma's knitting circle; this is a comprehensive, hilarious, and absolutely essential guide to shrimping like a boss. Grab your gear, get your hustle on, and prepare for a serious seafood feast. Let's roll!
Step 1: 📜 Don't Be a Goofball: Know the Law and the Season
Before you even think about tossing a net, you gotta make sure you're not going to end up in a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) timeout. Seriously, nobody wants a ticket when they could have shrimp cocktail.
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| How Do You Catch Shrimp In Florida |
1.1 Get Your Papers in Order, Pronto!
First thing's first: The License. Unless you're under 16 or shrimping from a vessel licensed for commercial harvest, you're gonna need a recreational saltwater fishing license. It's the law, folks, and the dough goes toward conservation. You can grab one online, at a tax collector's office, or at your local bait and tackle shop. It's easier than trying to parallel park in South Beach.
1.2 Know the Limit and the Local Vibe
The general recreational bag limit is 5 gallons of shrimp, heads on, per harvester, per day. But check this out—if you're on a vessel, the maximum possession limit is still 5 gallons, heads on, total, no matter how many hungry shrimpers are on board. That's a party foul if you don't plan right! Also, some counties, like Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Clay, have a closed season in April and May. Always, always double-check the most current regulations for your specific spot with the FWC—they're the referees in this game.
1.3 Time It Right: When the Shrimp are Running
This is where the real street smarts come in. Florida has two main "runs," and they are clutch.
The Winter Run (October to June): This is the Big Kahuna on the East Coast, particularly from Jacksonville down to Central Florida. The shrimp are moving offshore to breed. You want to go out at night when the water temperature is between 62 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. If it's too cold, they bury themselves in the mud like they're dodging a celebrity gossip article. Strong outgoing tides around the new or full moon cycles are generally when the current is ripping and the shrimp are being flushed out.
The Summer Run (July and August): More common on the West Coast and in North Florida, you're chasing the white shrimp. You can catch them day or night, but the action is often in the deeper water during the day.
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
Step 2: 🛠️ Gearing Up: Don't Show Up With Just a Bucket and a Dream
Shrimping isn't just about a fishing pole—it's about the right tools for the job. You wouldn't bring a spoon to a knife fight, right?
2.1 The Net Game: Choose Your Weapon
You've got options, buddy, and each one is different from the last.
The Cast Net: This is the most common and arguably the flashiest method. You literally throw a weighted net over a school of shrimp. Pro-Tip: Practice your throw in your backyard first, unless you want to look like a tangled octopus in front of everyone. Your net's "stretched length" (from the horn to the lead line) cannot be greater than 14 feet.
The Dip Net (or Landing Net): Ideal for night shrimping from a bridge, dock, or boat where you use a light. It's a simple net on a long handle—perfect for scooping up the shrimp that are cruising by in the current. The opening can't be more than 96 inches around the perimeter. Keep it simple, silly.
The Frame Net: This is a big, rigid, sock-like net that you anchor off the side of your boat in the current. The law says it can't be bigger than 16 square feet. It’s basically a stationary, low-effort shrimp vacuum.
2.2 The Light Show: Attracting the Goods
This is the secret sauce for night shrimping. Shrimp are attracted to light, which makes them visible and brings them closer to your net.
Underwater LED Lights: Green lights are the current rage, as they are believed to be less harsh on the shrimpers' eyes and penetrate the water well. White lights are also used. Deploy these down into the current off your dock or boat. You’ll want your light field to be close enough to your net to snag 'em as they hesitate in the illuminated area.
Propane Lanterns: The old-school cool choice. They work great from a pier or dock, suspended over the water. The light reflects off the shrimp's eyes, giving you that glittering clue that the run is on!
2.3 The Rest of the Kit: Essentials Only
5-Gallon Bucket or Cooler: To hold your sweet, sweet catch. A cooler with ice is always a good call for keeping them fresh.
Gloves: Optional, but good for protection against the occasional pinchy critter that gets scooped up.
Mesh Bag/Basket: Great for draining the water from the shrimp before they hit the cooler.
Step 3: 📍 Location, Location, Location: Finding the Hot Spots
You can have the best net and the brightest light, but if you're in a dead zone, you're just chillin' with the waves. You need to be where the shrimp are doing the hustle.
QuickTip: Stop to think as you go.
3.1 Bridges, Piers, and Docks: The Easy Access
These structures over tidal waterways are prime real estate. They offer elevated positions and often have strong current flow underneath. Think: the bridges over the Intercoastal Waterway on the East Coast (e.g., Mathers Bridge, Eau Gallie Bridge). This is the classic Florida shrimping scene. Just make sure you're not shrimping off an operational bridge or causeway if you're using a frame net, check local ordinances!
3.2 Tidal Creeks and Estuaries: The Flats Game
Especially for the day-shrimpers or those using push nets (a net pushed along the bottom while wading), the shallow, marshy areas are where shrimp hang out, grazing on seagrass and muddy bottoms. Look for areas where the tide is pulling water out of a marsh or creek.
3.3 Boat Access: Freedom to Roam
If you have a boat, you can hit the deeper channels and anchor up. Position your boat so your lights and nets are downstream of your anchor, letting the current bring the shrimp to you. It’s like setting up a fast-food drive-thru for crustaceans.
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Step 4: 🎣 The Main Event: Catching Those Bad Boys
The moment of truth. You’re licensed, you’re geared up, and you’re in a spot that looks like a shrimp superhighway.
4.1 Net Technique: Cast Netting for the Win
If you're using a cast net, you'll be looking for signs of life. Sometimes you can see their glittering eyes in your light beam. Other times, you're just going for a Hail Mary over a likely spot, perhaps where you've tossed out some bait (like cat food with a fish base—shhh, that's a pro secret!).
Tip: Write down what you learned.
Spot 'em: Look for the tell-tale signs—a disturbance, or those shimmering eyes.
Coil Up: Get your net coiled perfectly. A messed-up coil means a messed-up throw.
The Toss: Swing it out with authority! You want a full pancake spread before it hits the water.
Haul It In: Once it settles, haul that line in steadily. Pray for the big haul.
4.2 The Dip Net Dance: Light, Current, Scoop!
This is where you feel like a pro basketball player, quick on the draw.
Anchor Down/Post Up: Set up your lights so the shrimp are funneled into the illuminated area.
Wait and Watch: Keep your eyes glued to the illuminated water column. The current is doing the heavy lifting.
The Scoop: When a shrimp cruises by, quickly and smoothly lower the dip net and scoop it up in the current's path. Don’t splash around like a kid in a bathtub; finesse is key.
Transfer: Lift the net straight up and dump your catch into your bucket. Repeat until your arms feel like noodles.
Step 5: ✨ The Victory Lap: Storage and Feast Prep
You did it! You crushed the shrimping game. Now, don't let your epic haul go to waste.
5.1 Keep 'Em Chilly
Fresh shrimp are perishable gold. Get them on ice immediately. A cooler with a mix of ice and a little saltwater will keep them happy and cold. Do not let them sit in warm water. That's a rookie mistake that turns delicious shrimp into a smelly tragedy.
5.2 Cleaning Up (The Fun Part!)
When you're ready to cook, you'll want to clean them up. Most folks "de-head" them right away, even if they were counted with heads-on. You can peel and devein them, or cook them shell-on for maximum flavor infusion into your dish.
Peeling: Start by pinching the head off. The legs are a good grip point.
Deveining: Run a small, sharp knife along the back (the outside curve) and pull out that dark "vein" (it's actually the digestive tract).
The Payoff: Fire up that grill! You earned this. Whether it's a shrimp boil, scampi, or just grilled with a little butter and Old Bay—it’s gonna be epic.
FAQ Questions and Answers
QuickTip: Use the post as a quick reference later.
How do I know when the shrimp are running in my specific Florida location?
Check in with local bait and tackle shops! These folks are the gospel and live and breathe local fishing. They often have real-time reports and know the tides and moon phases for the best shrimping nights in your area.
What is the best type of bait to use to attract shrimp for cast netting?
Cat food with a fish base is a popular and inexpensive hack. Some shrimpers also use a binding agent to make bait balls that they attach to poles and set out to draw the shrimp in. The goal is a fishy, smelly attractant that settles on the bottom.
Is it better to go shrimping during a full moon or a new moon?
For the best night shrimping in tidal waters, aim for the week leading up to a new moon or a full moon, and the three days following. These cycles produce the strongest tidal currents, which flush the shrimp out of the estuaries and into the channels where you can net them.
How do I legally mark my shrimp traps in Florida?
If you're using shrimp traps (max four per person), you must securely affix your name and address to each trap. While not required, a buoy is highly recommended to prevent loss and make it easier to locate.
Can I catch shrimp during the day in Florida?
Absolutely! While the popular East Coast winter runs are primarily done at night with lights, you can catch shrimp during the day, especially the white shrimp during the summer season in North Florida and on the West Coast. You may need to target deeper waters or use a push net in shallow, grassy areas.
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