Sandshrimp get yanked

ColumbiaKid · 12-02-2003, 10:52 AM

I just wanted to thank those who had previously mentioned suction pumping sandshrimp and the techniques used. I built my own sandshrimp gun and found out yesterday that it works perfect. I got about 40 sandshrimp in about 5-10 minutes. It is so easy!

verysweepy · 12-02-2003, 01:23 PM

What did you use to build it with?

Woody · 12-02-2003, 06:12 PM

I have a dumb question. How do you find the sandshrimp? Do they "show" like clams?

Grip It-N-Rip It · 12-02-2003, 06:27 PM

You can build a shrimp gun out of pvc and a soft rubber ball they are pretty basic really.
Shrimp have holes just as clams do you just try to locate a bed of them and put your gun down to it pull down and push it back out and lokk for them in the sand you just pushed out. You can buy one for about $20.00 its fun and it will pay for itself in a few trips as long as you have the time to do it.

ColumbiaKid · 12-03-2003, 09:02 AM

Use 1.5 or 2" I.D. (Inner Diameter) PVC pipe for your suction tube. Cut it 30" long. Cap one end (yes you must glue it). Use another 3/4" to 1" I.D. PVC pipe for your push rod (30" long). Cap one end. Drill a 1/4" hole in the center of your push rod cap and insert a 2.5" long 1/4" bolt so it sticks out of cap. Drill (1/4" hole) and put a slightly snug rubber bouncy ball (found at most toy stores or department stores and it must just fit inside your pvc suction tube - sand it or trim the edges if you have to) over the bolt. Snug down ball with a large washer under a lock-nut. Drill a hole in the center of your suction tube's cap also, but use about a 7/8" or slightly larger drill bit. Slide the free end of your push rod up through your suction tube and have it exit out the top of the hole. You are almost done. Glue a T-joint or elbow onto the free end of your push rod (for a handle). Let it dry. Check the ball (plunger of your push rod) to see if it is just snug inside your suction tube. You should feel good suction against your palm when you pull back the push rod through the tube. Now, grind sharp the business end of your suction tube so it will slide through the sand that much easier. You have made your sandshrimp suction tube!

Sandshrimp can be easily found in most of your bays it seems where you have public access. Sandshimp leave small earthworm like holes or slightly larger holes on the sand flats. You may not see all of the holes at first. But, stick your suction tube over the hole and push down about an inch. Pull back on your push rod and suck up a full tube. Squirt the contents back onto the sand flat. You can pump the same hole a couple times, but make sure you push it in deeper as you go. Odds are you will find your shrimp.

Good luck.

TonTo · 12-03-2003, 12:57 PM

I have been thinking of trying this but description of this gizmo has me a bit confused,could somebody please post a pic of one that might clear it up a bit for me.
Thanx

Out Back · 12-03-2003, 01:25 PM

I just got back from Aberdeen Washington. Went over to visit and fish but all the rivers blew out so we went to Ocean Shores to fish for perch. Went to the marina and used a clam gun at low tide. Found the holes, stuck it down in the muck 18" and pulled it out. We were close to the water so when all the water gushes back into the hole it drains all these tunnels and the shrimp washed into the main hole. We got a bunch in no time. I was really drooling over all the shrimp we had since I have to pay $6 a dozen in Orofino for them. It was a kick. Those big ones have a good pinch for a small critter.

Out Back · 12-03-2003, 01:31 PM

Tonto, we used a tube about 3 inches across and 2 feet long. One end is open and the other end has a weld flat cover with a hole about the size of a dime in it. There is also a rod welded across that end so you can pull it our with two hands. You push it down, plug the hole to create a vacuum and use both hands to pull up. Then put it over to one side, take you finger off the hole and all the sand dumps out. Ours were made of alumimum. Hope this helps. Dave

Point-of-Sale Clerk · 12-03-2003, 01:47 PM

Fishfeet · 12-03-2003, 02:43 PM

Nice demo ***!

Bob.

steelhead_fishn · 12-03-2003, 02:50 PM

Has anyone created a mechanism or plans for keeping sandshrimp alive for those of us that are coastally challenged? I'd love to set something up in my garage, and go pump a load for the winter.

Jeff

dla · 12-03-2003, 02:57 PM

Go to Home Depot, ACE, etc. and find the size of PVC cap that fits into the next size PVC pipe. This becomes your pump "piston" to "cylinder".

Use a 3' chunk of "cylinder" PVC pipe. Buy a PVC cap to fit it. Buy a 3' piece of "piston" pipe. You're going to cap the "cylinder", but first you need to drill out the center large enough to accomodate the "piston" pipe. You should drill a couple of vent holes into the "cylinder" cap or top of "cylinder" that will discharge air/water/muck away from your face when pumping.

Add a 90 to the "piston" pipe and make a handle with a cap out of "piston" pipe.

This total PVC solution isn't as efficient as the rubber ball approach, but it is rust, sand and muck proof.

Sorry for the lack of details in the description, but I'm going from memory while sitting at work.

Trophy · 12-03-2003, 03:01 PM

When I pump for razor clams, I often mutilate them with my 4" diameter clam gun. I was curious if the clam gun, with it's larger diameter, might also work for the sandshrimps and with less damage to the shrimps?

Twitchs_Tackle · 12-03-2003, 03:02 PM

Jeff, here is a link to a post I made earlier about keeping htem alive longer. I think mine is about the third one down the page.
Keeping Shrimp

TonTo · 12-03-2003, 11:12 PM

Thank you *** for the pic I think I have the idea now and may be building one soon.I already have quite the arsenal of clam guns,and it sounds as if they may work, but I can never have enough toys.Never tried this before,but will give it a shot on my next coastal expedition.
Gotta love Ifish

dawhunt · 12-04-2003, 07:30 AM

Clam guns work great for sandshrimp.
Bob