How to Hook A Live Shrimp For Salt Water Fishing

Fishing with live shrimp is one of the best ways to catch much inshore fish, and knowing How to hook Live Shrimp For Saltwater Fishing and the proper ways to do it can not be overlooked. There are many common methods on how to hook and use live shrimp properly. I will go over the best methods I have found when fishing with live shrimp.

Importance Of Hooking A Live Shrimp Properly:

Properly rigging live shrimp for fishing is essential for maximizing your chances of success on the water. Live shrimp are one of the best natural baits you can use. They are a popular and versatile bait, attracting many fish species in saltwater. Here are why I believe it is crucial to rig live shrimp properly. 

• Natural Presentation: Rigging live shrimp properly allows for a more natural presentation in the water. Fish are more likely to be attracted to bait that mimics their prey’s natural movements and appearance. A well-rigged live shrimp will swim and move naturally, making it more enticing to predatory fish.

• Increased Fish Strikes: Fish can be discerning, and poorly rigged bait may not appear as appetizing. By rigging the live shrimp correctly, you increase the likelihood of getting more strikes from fish. This is especially crucial when targeting selective or cautious species in their feeding behavior.

• Versatility: Live shrimp are versatile bait for various fishing techniques, including casting, free lining, and fishing near structure. Proper rigging allows you to adapt to different fishing situations and environments. Whether you’re targeting redfish in shallow flats or sheepshead around structures, the proper rigging can make a significant difference.

• Reduced Loss of Bait: A secure and proper rigging helps prevent the live shrimp from coming off the hook easily. This reduces the chances of losing your bait during casting, retrieval, or while small fish peck at your shrimp. It allows you to make more casts without constantly re-baiting, maximizing your time in the water. 

• Targeting Specific Species: Different species of fish may require different rigging techniques. For example, a popping cork rig might be effective if you’re targeting speckled trout, and a jig head or Carolina rig might be practical when fishing for Black Drum and Redfish, which are bottom feeders. Knowing how to rig live shrimp in different ways allows you to adapt to the preferences and behaviors of the specific species you’re targeting. 

Fishing With Live Shrimp:

Size Of Shrimp:

The size of live shrimp matters in fishing for several reasons, and understanding these factors can significantly influence your success on the water. When I fish with live shrimp, I really like using medium to small shrimp. Yes, I know that many small fish can peck my bait off. However, I like compact bait when sitting on the bottom. It increases my casting distance, is less likely to rip off, and sits more naturally on the bottom. 

Where To Buy Live Shrimp:

The tackle shop often runs out of the larger shrimp, and they give you extra if you tip well, so make sure to take care of them. Most of the shrimp I get from the tackle shop is around five dollars per dozen, which is not that bad compared to some of the prices of lures. Getting live shrimp is super easy; almost every tackle shop has live shrimp, and they are reasonably priced. They are hardy and last a while with proper aeration. 

Fishing Structure With Live Shrimp:

For inshore saltwater fishing, I tend to fish near structures. Structures create a diverse and complex underwater environment, providing fish with places to hide, seek shelter, and ambush prey. This increased habitat complexity attracts a variety of fish species, making it more likely for anglers to find productive fishing spots. Fishing structures often attract smaller baitfish, shrimp, crabs, and prey. I only fish open water if I am looking for new spots. This can be oyster bars, pilings, rock piles, drop-offs, deep holes, etc. To learn more about where I fish, check out my other post, Fishing Low Tide – The Best Times To Fish. 

I have found that live shrimp on a jig head is the best way to fish for a multitude of species while using one bait. These species include Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Red Drum, Flounder, and Speckled Sea Trout. When fishing with a jig head, it is up to you what size to use. The best way to fish live shrimp is with a 1/4-ounce jig head because it holds the bottom better. But if you want a more subtle presentation with a slow sink rate, I recommend a 1/8-ounce jig head. Most fish are held tight to the structure or suspended in the water column close to it. 

The best way that I rig the shrimp is to rip off the tip of the tail, then I either thread the hook through the shrimp’s body and come out the underside of the shrimp just below the head; this allows the shrimp’s head to be angled up or parallel to the bottom when the jig head is sitting on the bottom. By doing this, you miss all of the vital organs, so if this is live shrimp, it still gives off vibrations with scent going into the water. The presentation is very compact when the jig head is sitting on the bottom. The point of the hook does not need to be exposed because of how soft the shrimp are. I have caught almost every inshore species you can catch with this rig. 

I do not know of a saltwater game fish that will not eat shrimp. Live shrimp is the best live bait for inshore fishing. Everything eats them, which makes them the premium live bait. Some people may argue that mud minnows are better. However, I have never seen a Black Drum or Sheepshead eat a mud minnow. 

Let’s say that you are fishing and have live shrimp that are dying, and now you will have dead shrimp; just because they are dead does not mean you will not catch fish on them. This is still a great bait. I have caught many slot Redfish (Red Drum), Black Drum, and larger fish using the jig head and dead shrimp rig. 

Fishing In Shallow Water:

In shallow water, you can target a diverse range of saltwater species, including Redfish, Speckled Sea Trout, Flounder, Snook, Tarpon, Snapper, and more. Shallow water often allows for sight fishing, where you can visually spot fish in the clear or shallow water. Look for underwater structures, oyster bars, grass beds, sandbars, and other features that attract and hold fish. 

Shallow areas with structure provide cover for baitfish and make ideal feeding grounds for predatory species. A great bait is a live shrimp on a jig head or split shot. Sometimes, I like to fish live shrimp weightless because the splash can often scare the larger fish out of the area. The lighter the setup, the more it will affect your casting distance. Be mindful of water clarity and adjust your lure or bait selection accordingly. Using a live shrimp is a great way to entice finicky fish in shallow water. 

Shrimp Lures:

Shrimp-imitating lures are artificial baits designed to mimic the appearance and movement of live shrimp. Picking out the right lure is tough these days. Every company is creating these excellent new lures that mimic a real shrimp. Now, my favorite shrimp lures are Gulp and Voodoo Shrimp. Gulp Shrimp does not look close to a real shrimp, but the scent is vital. The Voodoo Shrimp has an ideal swimming action. It jumps off the bottom just like a real shrimp would. They have the erratic action, but there is no scent. Angler use Pro Cure to add scent, and this is very popular. 

Popping Cork:

The Popping Cork is very popular on the west coast of Florida; this is great for fishing flats and creeks when searching for fish. The popping cork adds both visual and auditory appeal to your presentation. There are many common methods on how to fish a popping cork. If I am fishing on the west coast of Florida, I love to use it to cover water and find those isolated schools of fish. On the East Coast, the best way is to fish with them in creek mouths and near oyster bars. 

Start by selecting a popping cork. I usually use a Cajun Thunder, but other companies make them of a higher quality. Popping corks come in various styles and sizes. The best-popping cork I have ever used was a Four Horsemen Cork. These are super durable and do not kink when bent. 

Attach the popping cork to your main fishing line using a swivel. This helps prevent line twists and allows the cork to move freely. You must choose a depth to set your popping cork. I like to have my bait drifting about a foot above the grass. 

Once you have your popping cork set up and are ready for your live shrimp. It is important to note that your casting distance will go up drastically because of the weight of the popping cork. A good way to avoid weighing the shrimp down is to use a smaller circle hook for the shrimp. Hook it on the top of the head underneath the horn so you do not hit the vital organs. 

The dark spot you see on the shrimp’s head is their brain. If you want a lively shrimp, I suggest not hooking it through that. In Florida, using treble hooks when using live shrimp is illegal. However, I know that in Texas, people often use treble hooks when fishing with live shrimp. 

You can use a live shrimp or a soft plastic such as a Gulp, Saltwater Assassin, or Z man. For my colors, I like natural color patterns such as Gulp New Penny and Salt and Pepper. My favorite Saltwater Assassin colors are Green Moon, Violet Moon, and Chicken on the Chain. However, I have also had great success with the electric chicken color. For Gulp, I like the 3-inch shrimp or the 3-inch Ghost Shrimp in natural color patterns such as Salt and Pepper, New Penny, Electric Chicken, and White. 

They hold up better than real shrimp and still get the same amount of bites. Live shrimp seem to get chewed up by pinfish in the summer months because of the warmer water in grassy areas. But when the water temperature goes down, fewer pinfish are on the flats. Now, when casting the popping cork, I like to focus my casts on the sandy bottom and grassy area transitions. 

Float Rig 

The Float Rig is the best of both worlds, between the popping cork and a jig head rig. This is a very effective way to fish with live shrimp. I have seen this as an excellent way to catch Speckled Sea Trout. However, you can catch various fish species using this rig. Many ways exist, but I will explain how I have done it. 

You need to get a sliding cork, one that moves freely up and down your line. Then, get a bobber stopper along with a bead. This will control the depth of the live shrimp. I like to have mine just off the bottom. From my sliding cork, I want an egg weight, 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce, a swivel, and then a two-foot leader of Fluorocarbon to a hook. Some people use Khale Hooks, circle hooks, and j hooks, but I have seen them having the best bet with a 1/0 octopus hook, which is a modified j hook.

 I like to hook the shrimp either on the top of the shrimp rig beneath the horn or at the tip of the tail. I do not like hook shrimp in the center body of the shrimp; this can affect their swimming, which makes them look less appetizing. Either of these parts will allow the shrimp to sit just on the shank of the hook to allow for better hookups. The hook point will also be shown, which will help you as the angler hook up more. Both methods allow the shrimp to swim freely and look natural in the water, increasing your fish strikes. It is necessary not to hook the shrimp in the dark spot. Those are the shrimp’s vital organs. This will kill the shrimp and not be as effective in the water as a live shrimp. 

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Frequently Asked Questions:

*When fishing, it is important to follow all local regulations for your state*

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