Thread: Grass Shrimp

Have caught them dragig hydrilla to shore with a net. Shake hydrilla and pick shrimp off the ground and drop in bucket.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

Here's some more input and junk to keep in the boat. We used a styrofoam swim ring like the kids play with, then sewed a piece of fiberglass screen around it with a bit of a sag to the middle creating a fine mesh strainer. Pick up a cluster of hyacinth and drop it quickly into the screen and shake it a few times. The grass shrimp will be in the screen when you lift the hyacinth to return it to the water. The fine mesh hand net thing worked for us too, but there was so much hyacinth in the St.Johns it was easier if mot as productive. Bull gills love the things.

Good info Skeetbum guess what i'll be making soon. Thank's for the st johns tip.

Thanks for the info guys! Always look forward to reading your replies.

I've never seen those lil shrimp let alone use them for bait, though I think I've seen them at Petsmart. 33 cents each lol

not too long ago (2-3 weeks back) I got word that the cappie had moved out of Lake Harney into the Puzzle Lake area. On a spur I shot out to the east side of SR46 and set-up under the bridge. The fish were BOILING the water; 5-8 spots were popping at once. I tried everything in my arsenal trying to get a bite but had no luck. I noticed that they were hitting the small grass shrimp and even managed to catch a couple. Those things were no bigger then 2cm but they were everywhere. They were also congregated at the surface.

I'll keep this one in mind for the future. Might be worth while to learn to throw a fly rod for this one.

Originally Posted by Jacob

not too long ago (2-3 weeks back) I got word that the cappie had moved out of Lake Harney into the Puzzle Lake area. On a spur I shot out to the east side of SR46 and set-up under the bridge. The fish were BOILING the water; 5-8 spots were popping at once. I tried everything in my arsenal trying to get a bite but had no luck. I noticed that they were hitting the small grass shrimp and even managed to catch a couple. Those things were no bigger then 2cm but they were everywhere. They were also congregated at the surface.

I'll keep this one in mind for the future. Might be worth while to learn to throw a fly rod for this one.

Rigs Walmart has em. Got em in me bag of tricks

If you use a #8 or #6 bait holder hook with two barbs on the shank and a down eye you only need to thread one grass shrimp on the hook. I've caught multiple fish on one shrimp. Doesn't happen often, but it does happen. It's almost as if the hook was designed for the shrimp. You can keep using your long shank Aberdeen hooks but they don't work as well and you have to use multiple shrimp to cover the hook. Additionally, I like to use a Thill Mini Shi Bite bobber and 4lb test with a bb split shot in combination with the tiny shrimp.

I have been fishing pan fish my entire life. Mosty in Michigan where we don't have these shrimp and I can tell you there is nothing more lethal for any pan fish. As soon as they hit the shrimp it is their mouth and the bobber combo I described above goes under immediately witht he most subtle hit. With the Mini Shi Bite bobber made by Thill they never feel it and let go like I see happen with so many of you guys using gigantic styrofoam bobbers big enough to hold up a ten inch shiner.

Also, any one who has ever fished with minnows or worms knows what I mean when I say they can "steal your bait" when using these larger baits. That almost never happens with grass shrimp. Crappie, shell crackers, blue gill, and even bass and catfish I've caught on them. If you use light line, the proper, hook and float combination nothing is more effective.

Man I can't wait to find some grass shrimp now. Have a feeling it's going to be awhile until I can dipnet them around here though. We just had two mornings of freezing temperatures here in FL. Been shopping around for a long handled mesh net and it seems the pool skimmer nets would be effective and cheap. The nets are usually wide with very fine mesh.
Do any central FL baitshops sell these grass shrimp in the meantime?

I have seen em at Sandy's when i was there and Johnson's might