Newbie for Washington Shrimping

BONES · 03-30-2007, 11:45 PM

My inlaws live in Chimacum. I am thinking about going up there in May for an attempt at shrimp. I drive a Hewescraft Searunner 163. I have a manual crab davit with no shrimp gear.

Are there places to rent shrimp pots, or do I have to make the investment of purchase? Any thoughts as to what port to put in and the depths to drop the gear? By what I can find snooping around it looks like 200-300 feet. Better take my nephew and his strong back!

I guess its like crabbing just alot deeper. Might have to put some good weight in the pot to keep the tide from swiping it.

Anyway some thoughts or advise would be welcome. Thanks, Tim

tracker · 03-31-2007, 06:15 AM

The weight is very needed. I put about ten pounds in the pot. Good pots are about $80 each. The good ones will out catch the lesser ones most of the time. If you have the money and are going to make it a habit then buy the gear! I am sure you might be able to rent the gear somewhere. Have no clue as to where to tell you where to go though as to renting. If you do go just look for the fotillas of boats and drop in that area!

ripnlips1 · 03-31-2007, 06:36 AM

Yes, you'll need 5-10 lbs of weight per trap. You are allowed 2 traps per person 4 per boat max. I fish at about 200-220' deep so you'll need 300' of line to keep your bouy from going under if the tide or wind picks up. You can buy 600' of the cheaper yellow line and cut it in half to make two 300' sections, just clip on a lead weight on the last 50' before your bouy to sink the line. As for bait, canned cat food seems to be the common bait of choice (puss n boots seafood, I think). One year I had some left over Lingcod heads( I froze to use a crab bait) and didn't catch a single shrimp. I figuared out that the shrimp were afraid of the predators inside

, so chop up any fish carcasses. Make sure you put your boat in the drink early. The season is only from 9am to 1pm on Hood canal. Usually the first sat and wed of May. Don't show up at the launch at 830 thinking you'll have plenty of time. The same goes for pulling out your boat. Everyone will be retrieving their boats so expect a 1-2 hr wait, just bring a lunch and watch the free entertainment. In the past, you have been allowed 80 shrimp per person. Make sure you count every last one and don't forget any on the floor. This is a good day for WADFW to raise some money if you know what I mean. Good luck and PM me if you have any other questions.

TrinhTD · 03-31-2007, 10:53 AM

I've seen a few used traps on Craigslist.

ripnlips1 · 03-31-2007, 11:43 AM

There are two sizes of mesh for shrimp pots. One for Puget sound and the other for Hood Canal. I forget the exact size just make sure they're for Hood Canal.

BONES · 03-31-2007, 12:21 PM

Is the shrimping better in Hood Canal. I have noticed that Hood Canal is only open for a few hours on specific days. Most parts of the straight or sound seem to fish seven days a week?

For a bait just cat food? I found a site that sells what looks like some type of pellet bait. What about chopped up chad, salmon carcas, etc...?

After the catch do you just pop the heads off and chuck them into the drink and take the tails home?

I have a big learning curve here but it sure sounds like alot of FUN!

kelso · 03-31-2007, 12:33 PM

My Dad and I shrimp fished for years before all the regulations made it to much of a hassle, and we tried every bait imaginable. The best bait period without a dought is canned puss n boots fishermans platter. we caught hundreds of pounds of shrimp with this bait. Of course there were alot more shrimp back then.

ripnlips1 · 03-31-2007, 12:42 PM

Yes, Hood canal is only open for 4 hours a day, 4 days a year. Usually the 1st Sat and Weds and another Sat and Wed in May TBA. Yes, you can use the same bait for shrimp as you would for crabs, any fish parts you have (no whole heads though, see my post above) but canned cat food works great (without gravy) and it's cheap. It is very easy to get your limits on HC compared to Puget sound. Just drop your pots with everyone elses. I would leave the shrimp whole until you get home. The WADFW like to count each shrimp. If you do pop off the heads you need to keep them incase you are inspected.

tracker · 03-31-2007, 12:45 PM

The cat food is good. Add your fish parts also. Then, well I dont want to get in a big fight here, but I cant help myself! That wonderful product from alaska is the best though. You can get it at the big box stores and many other places. I wont spell it out because the uninformed and sadistic attacks I will get are beyond what I want to deal with. Oh heck, PM me and I will spell it out!