First Time Shrimping- (success photos added)

[BIGMIKE]

This Saturday will be our first shrimping trip. My kids and I are very exited to come out and try to catch some shrimp off the sound. We have pots and bait ready but I am still trying to figure out where to drop the pots. I know its a short fishing season for shrimp so I am trying to get some ideas on where to drop the pots. We will be launching out of Des Moines Marina. Any suggestions/ guidance will be greatly appreciated. A buddy of mine suggested to follow all the boats with shrimp pot? sounds like a plan but I need a solid plan. Weather is looking great too. Thanks.

[lokidog]

We find the shrimp in 260 to 310 feet (off Lopez), you want it mostle flat/level and muddy.  I haven't checked the tides but try to do it around the slacks, if your pot is moving, you will not get many shrimp.

Good luck.

[elk247]

Sorry not much help. I can suggest a spot about 250' deep between whidby and north camino. Goodluck!

[WAcoueshunter]

This Saturday will be our first shrimping trip. My kids and I are very exited to come out and try to catch some shrimp off the sound. We have pots and bait ready but I am still trying to figure out where to drop the pots. I know its a short fishing season for shrimp so I am trying to get some ideas on where to drop the pots. We will be launching out of Des Moines Marina. Any suggestions/ guidance will be greatly appreciated. A buddy of mine suggested to follow all the boats with shrimp pot? sounds like a plan but I need a solid plan. Weather is looking great too. Thanks.

Haven't shrimped there in probably 10 years, but pretty sure most folks out of Des Moines head over to the stretch around Point Beals on Vashon, NW out of Des Moines.  You won't have a problem figuring out where to go - there will be a ton of boats and pots over there.  Strikes me that's about 280-300' in there where the shrimp are.  Again, just watch the depth of the other pots to get an idea where to drop, then you can figure out what's working best from there.

[Greenhorn]

The only thing that I know about shrimping is "Puss in boots cat food."

[elk247]

I miss those big ol prawns, but i dont miss pulling the pots 350' is arm burner for sure. My advice, bring pot puller.

[Mfowl]

I am not familiar with the South Sound much but you could head up to Elliot Bay. Fish off Duwamish Head or the Grain Silos. Plenty of other folks will be there to show you the spots. I fished there last year and we caught plenty but didn't limit the boat (5 people.)I am heading further north this year to try some new waters. You might consider 3 Tree point. Fish the lee side (down current.) Look at some charts and pick an area with steep drop offs from 200'-350'. Make sure your pots are well weighted (20-30lbs.) Its gonna be low tide early in the day so the best fishing will likely occur in the first few hours, it'll pay to be ready to drop your pots at 7:00am sharp. Get out early enough to get to the shrimping grounds with some time to use your fish finder to "scout" the area. Good luck and stay safe!

[wheels]

hoods canal hows always been good if you dont mind the drive  250 to 300 plus  puller is a must

[lokidog]

Here is a tip for all you first time shrimpers.

Though it is tempting to peel your shrimp the day you catch them, wait a day!  If you must eat some,go ahead and peel a few.  You will find that if you wait a day, the shell pops off of the meat much easier than peeled fresh.  You should pop the bodies off right away and cool them though. 

We freeze a lot and leave the shells on the tails as it prevents freezer burn, which can happen quickly with these delicate morsels.  We have eaten some that have been frozen over a year (lost in the bowels of the freezer), and they have been fine with just a tiny bit trimmed off the end.  If freezing, don't bother with the vacuum sealer as the little points will puncture your bag.  If I have time and space, I will freeze them on a cookie sheet, and then dip the meat end in a cup of cold water a couple times to seal it.  Then, when you pop the shrimp into a bag, they do not freeze together and you can pull out just how many you want each time.

Good luck and be safe out there.

[sirmissalot]

It sure would be nice to peel them then freeze, I hate peeling them every time I want to eat them. I might try a couple bags this year just to see.

We used to put the tails, with the shells on, in zip locks, fill about half way with water then freeze. They have always been great. We now have a chamber vacuum sealer so we put the shrimp in a bag, fill with water about halfway and vacuum seal. Works great.

We'll be shrimping hood canal, just south of sea beck tomorrow. If anyone sees a 25 ft Bamf give me a shout, call name is Market Price.

[BIGMIKE]

Had a fun, sunny and great shrimping day at Hood Canal yesterday with my boys.   Awesome! Below are some photos, Enjoy. Yummy shrimp.

[Mfowl]

Awesome! Way to go! Shrimping is a blast. We scratched out our 5 limits in Edmonds area. It took til the last pot at 2:50 but it all worked out. Great day to be out for sure.

[Wacenturion]

Looks like a great time for you and the kids.

[MLBowhunting]

Alright looks like a great day out there.  Good job 

[lokidog]

Congratulations.  They are tasty little critters, we limited for three and tossed back about 200 here in the islands.  BigM, you are going to be spoiled getting a bunch of shrimp on a nice day like yesterday.  How did that Scotty davit puller work?  Before I got my Ace Hauler, I thought about making a davit type puller, then Scotty came out with that one.

[BIGMIKE]

scotty puller worked perfect. Its very quiet and effieciently pulls pots like its nothing.

[lokidog]

   I like that they are not very bulky either.

[Alan K]

Right on Mike! Great day to be out there on the water! 

[C-Money]

Very Nice!!! Looks like a great time!