Buying Shrimp

[patindaytona]

Just curious as to how many buy their shrimp rather than catch their own? Not sure how or where to catch them...what tides, etc.

[MCS]

The day I learned how to throw a cast net was the day I stopped regularly buying shrimp.

I'm not sure about where you live, but here on the NC Coast, shrimp season is from mid Aug through late September (possibly early October depending on the weather and the amount of rain dumped).

Only time I will buy shrimp is when there is no live bait to be caught. Late fall through early spring.

[Railroader]

I buy the individually flash frozen, farm raised, de-headed stuff at the supermarket. Comes in two pound bags, which is convenient, and much cheaper than bait store stuff. Fresher, too.

When I need live shrimp(rarely), I buy it. I have a source that sells live at $12.00 a qt. :cool:

[patindaytona]

I live in Daytona FL...do you catch them on the surf? Night?The day I learned how to throw a cast net was the day I stopped regularly buying shrimp.

I'm not sure about where you live, but here on the NC Coast, shrimp season is from mid Aug through late September (possibly early October depending on the weather and the amount of rain dumped).

Only time I will buy shrimp is when there is no live bait to be caught. Late fall through early spring.

[patindaytona]

I tried that farm raised shrimp a couple of times lately..didn't get any bites..though it's hard to tell if it was the shrimp or not. You're talking about supermarket shrimp like Publix, or Wal-Mart, right? It works for you?I buy the individually flash frozen, farm raised, de-headed stuff at the supermarket. Comes in two pound bags, which is convenient, and much cheaper than bait store stuff. Fresher, too.

When I need live shrimp(rarely), I buy it. I have a source that sells live at $12.00 a qt. :cool:

[MCS]

I live in Daytona FL...do you catch them on the surf? Night?

I've never seen anyone catch them in the surf. We usually hit them in the inlets, off of bridges, docks etc.

At your location I would try the intracoastal.

[Railroader]

I tried that farm raised shrimp a couple of times lately..didn't get any bites..though it's hard to tell if it was the shrimp or not. You're talking about supermarket shrimp like Publix, or Wal-Mart, right? It works for you?

Yep...That's right. Straight outta the seafood department. You'll get all kinds of folks saying that you shouldn't use it because it's not local, it's sprayed with chemicals, blah blah, yadda yadda....:rolleyes:

If that's true, then the hundreds of fish I've caught from yellowtails to oversize reds were unaware of the fact they were eating the "wrong" bait....;)

Store bought shrimp works fine, it's cheaper since it's all useable bait per pound, with no heads to throw away, and you can always eat the leftovers...:cool:

[patindaytona]

That's great news! I had bought a bunch and tried some, but with no luck. I go fishing about 4 times a week, so I will try them again in a couple days. I will let you know how they work out.Yep...That's right. Straight outta the seafood department. You'll get all kinds of folks saying that you shouldn't use it because it's not local, it's sprayed with chemicals, blah blah, yadda yadda....:rolleyes:

If that's true, then the hundreds of fish I've caught from yellowtails to oversize reds were unaware of the fact they were eating the "wrong" bait....;)

Store bought shrimp works fine, it's cheaper since it's all useable bait per pound, with no heads to throw away, and you can always eat the leftovers...:cool:

[patindaytona]

Have you ever brined your shrimp before? I think you just layer it with kosher salt, don't you? Supposed to make it nice and tough. Might try that.That's great news! I had bought a bunch and tried some, but with no luck. I go fishing about 4 times a week, so I will try them again in a couple days. I will let you know how they work out.

[Railroader]

Never brined any bait....It never lasts long enough to seem necessary or worthwhile..;)

[VICIII]

I brined a turkey once and it was Great!!!!:cool:
It is must Wenesday night before THANKSGIVING ! ! !
I get clams and they are pre-shucked and frozen. I cut them out of the bag when I buy them and put them in a tuperware container with some koshur (sp?) salt and then head to the surf. It makes the whole clam dry up and that helps keep them on the hook. I have caught more fish and Pomps that way. Could be because the clams stay on better?? Yep cover them with salt and seperate the clams and put more salt . Like thick. at least a half inch coverage when frozen and they thaw and are perfect!!:cool: I keep mushing the salt in them... Add more if needed... I error on the side of too much salt and it has really be great... They have out fished sand fleas and shrimp many times...

[Big Worm]

I also get the shrimp from the regular store flash frozen like RR works just fine, many a puppy and flounder as well as whiting have told me they think it's good.