Shrimp ?

I've seen a lot of references to folks baitfishing for croaker with raw shrimp on bottom rigs.

I've never fished with it before and was wondering about a few details:

1) Should the shrimp be fished w/ shell on or should I peel it first ?
2) If I buy shrimp that are like an inch or so long, should I try and fish that whole or cut it into multiple baits ?

I've been fishing a lot w/ spinners lately but thought it might be fun to do a baitfishing trip w/ shrimp & fishbites.

[M_Duong60]

I use raw shrimp for basically all the fishing that I do it works well in saltwater and ever fresh for panfish. For me however I have only used shrimp with the shell about 4''? For smaller ones I guess if it fits it should work. I just cut it to where it covers the hook.

For croaker some have had sucess with using cooked salad shrimp here http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Star-...12-oz/22700533

[Mmacro]

I buy the cheap, peeled, raw, frozen shrimp in the frozen seafood section. For croaker/perch cut them in dime sized chunks and cover the hook just up to the bend. No need to go all the way up the shank. Sometimes smaller is better.

[jet]

Yes, but big fish like big baits and hooks! Both can weed out the fun and constant action, but the rewards can be worth it

[kuljc]

usually get them cheapest from a asian grocery store. the thawed, raw ones, with the shell uncut.

FYI this year it seems like the croaker aren't biting without bloodworm or fishbite.

[jet]

^croaker love the surf and turf cocktail!

[Goody]

I've been using the cooked garden salad shrimp and the fish love them (WP, Croakers, and Spots). Their about the perfect size to go onto a hook.

[ronaultmtd]

For those of us artificial bait guys, try the Gulp new penny color shrimp- 1/8 jighead and work it slow on the bottom- big croaker, redfish and trout eat it like candy- I clip off the very end of tail and thread it on the jig head from the tail making it swim naturally the way a shrimp does when fleeing from a predator- toss it towards structure, let it settle to the bottom, jig, wait, jig, wait, jig- set the hook- the fish normally hit on the wait after the jig as the lure is falling back to the bottom-

[Goody]

I'm still learning how to effectively use the artificial baits to catch consistently. I'm use to fishing in Florida where I used live shrimp or catch bait fish with a cast net to use.

For those of us artificial bait guys, try the Gulp new penny color shrimp- 1/8 jighead and work it slow on the bottom- big croaker, redfish and trout eat it like candy- I clip off the very end of tail and thread it on the jig head from the tail making it swim naturally the way a shrimp does when fleeing from a predator- toss it towards structure, let it settle to the bottom, jig, wait, jig, wait, jig- set the hook- the fish normally hit on the wait after the jig as the lure is falling back to the bottom-

[ronaultmtd]

I use a cast net to catch peanut bunker for live bait and chum- Next time catch a couple of dozen good sized ones for the live well and put the rest you catch in a bucket of wet sand- mash up the ones in the bucket of sand- makes a hell of a mess, but throwing a handful of sand over board ever now and then acts just like chum with the sand soaked in mashed up menhaden sinking down to the bottom- watch your live lines after throwing the wet sand over board- you would be surprised how effective this method is- I love fishing under boat docks in Florida for big snook with live peanut bunker- toss one under the dock and hang on for dear life- anyway- up here the live bait works pretty good but so does artificials and you don't have to waste a lot of time fishing for bait- I don't even stop at the tackle shops to buy bait any more- just launch and tie on my lures- I mostly troll until I find the fish, then I usually stop and cast for them- the last trip out the fish wanted trolled baits- they would not hit the cast baits, just the ones you were trolling- strange situation, but then you have to pay attention to what you were doing when you caught the first fish if you want to be successful- the depth, the color, the speed, the weather conditions all come into play-

[ILV2F5H]

When I use raw shrimp I buy them from the Korean grocery store with the head and shell on. I have noticed over the years that croakers can be picky when it comes to eating the tail end of shrimp. I would get bites sooner with parts of the upper body vs the tail end. Sometimes I peel the shell sometimes I dont. Depending on how picky the fish are.

This year I have caught a lot of croakers on gulp shrimp and swm mullet.

[rwh]

Shrimp works well for me in the tidal creeks & rivers for channel and blue cats as well. I use the whole thing, headless, unpeeled on either a two hook bottom rig or Carolina rig.

[kevinfry]

I clip off the very end of tail and thread it on the jig head from the tail making it swim naturally the way a shrimp does when fleeing from a predator- toss it towards structure, let it settle to the bottom, jig, wait, jig, wait, jig- set the hook- the fish normally hit on the wait after the jig as the lure is falling back to the bottom-

I need a picture...can't imagine this, but interested