Thread: Grass Shrimp

An oldtimer I work with was telling me about grass shrimp, and how good they are for Crappie, as well as other panfish.
Where can you find them? How do you catch them? How do you present them?
Saw the pic in the Lake George thread, and that reminded me of the conversation I had with the oldtimer.
Are these little shrimps abundant in the lakes? We would use live and/or frozen shrimp over in the Banana and Indian Rivers, but I have never heard of grass shrimp.
JTE

They're plentiful in grass beds around the edges of most lakes. You'll need a small mesh net with a long handle. I use my landing net and it works just fine. Dip it in the grass and jig it up and down about 6" or so while moving it into the grass. The trick is getting those little rascals out of the net and into a bucket. I use a 5 gal bucket with about 1" of water in the bottom and I dump the net into it, then pick out the trash later. Use a small long shank bream hook for bluegill and you will only need to thread one on. I use them for specks when they move near the shore and you will need to put 2 or 3 on your hook. I use an eagle # 4 or #6 octopus circle hook. Most everyone uses the standard gold crappie hook, but I find with the circle hook with live bait the fish get hooked in their throat area rather than the mouth and I seldom loose one. It's a great bait for any panfish. Hope this is some help.

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.

JTE what part of the state you in. If you come over, will take you out and show you how to get them and what to look for.
Dusty

Like the other thread I started, do us a favor and put what lake or town is near you on your profile, please. It may encourage some one in your area to answer. May get to know who all is around to go fishin with.

Hey !
Wikipedia is asking for donations !
I don't donate to nothin but rarely.
This is one of those times.
I think this endeavor is one of the worlds greatest things that "all" can use and participate in too!
So, I donated !
Wikipedia's founder is asking for help, go there and read, etc.....
They (Wikipedia) "DOES NOT" have an entry describing "Florida Grass Shrimp".
If anyone has the knowledge, they can go there and enter their info and have an entry on Wikipedia !
How bout that ! !
Please donate ! ! ! !!

I do not know what the proper name would be. Freshwater Shrimp, Miniature Shrimp, Grass Shrimp, Shellcracker nibbles....I do not know. Just know where there are a few.
Dusty
P.S. I do depend on Wikipedia a lot, for a lot of definations on things, but think I will wait on the donate thing.

Originally Posted by centerdriver

I do not know what the proper name would be. Freshwater Shrimp, Miniature Shrimp, Grass Shrimp, Shellcracker nibbles....I do not know. Just know where there are a few.
Dusty
P.S. I do depend on Wikipedia a lot, for a lot of definations on things, but think I will wait on the donate thing.

You're not.......... "One of them".............Are you ????????
As to the shrimp, well............................ we understand

you havent seen Dusty if you think he is a shrimp. 6 ft something and bear hunts with a switch.lol

Yeah Its the lazy way. But I thought that E-How could explain it better than I could.
How to Collect Grass Shrimp
Step 1 Purchase a minnow net with fine mesh and a handle 4- to 6-feet long. A dark green or black net works best. (small tight mesh)
Step 2 Venture out to the edge of a lake, pond or a slow-moving stream in the early morning (they are more active in the morning) with net and bucket. Fill the bucket about 1/3 full of water.
Step 3 Look for grassy areas along the shoreline. Patches of tall grass growing out of the water are the best spots. Gently place the minnow net in the water, with the open side of the net facing the shore. Quickly pull the net toward the shore through the grass.
Step 4 Grasp the lower part of net, hold over the bucket and dump the contents. You should have a good number of 1/2- to 1-inch long transparent shrimp. Continue netting until you have about 100 shrimp.
Step 5 Slide 2 to 4 shrimp over the end of a #6 or #8 hook and fish with a small bobber or free-line over the side of a dock. Pan fish will attack this bait voraciously.

In Florida these Specks have been eating these shrimp almost from birth and prefer them over minnows.

I'm rather new to this Grass Shrimp Phenom. Heard about them before, but never fished Crappies enough to be enlightened. Now things have changed. Got this Crappie bug that's itching me as of late. Read a lot about them here recently. Can they be found year round or does winter put the ka-bosch on them?
I hear they like the tall grass, what about hydrilla? I thought I read on another post(s) they also inhabit hydrilla.

Thanks,

Buck