I was reading "Drift Fishing" and there was a section on the benefits of using small shrimp, cooked AND uncooked with legs left on, for bait! Has anyone used this method??? It sounds like it would be a HECK of a lot more durable than sand shrimpies, and he said the fish hammer it, PLUS it keeps the smolts from getting hooked!!!

It sounds good to me! How's YOUR experience been???

Thanks!

L...one of those GIRLIE fishers!!!

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"Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds!" Albert Einstein

Farm Girl, been using regular shrimp for steelhead for years. I prefer the un-cooked ones. Here's how I rig them. Shell them and then chop a bunch up, as many as it will take to make the number of bait's you'll need. This takes a little experimentation, but you'll soon get it down. Then take some egg sack netting and tying thread, place as much chopped shrimp as needed in a square of netting, gather the edges, twist and tie it off. What you'll have are "shrimp balls". Make them small or large as needed. Thread one onto your leader above the hook, put some yarn in the hooks egg loop and you got one of the longest lasting and best shrimp baits ever. I've caught a bunch of steelies on'em. I store then in old plastic 35mm film cans, in the freezer and they are ready to go when ever I need them. you can also re-freeze them if you don't use all you take. I even add those little styrofoam beads in the mesh sack to make them float above bottom right in the zone! No mess, no fuss and they really work.

L, I've done real good w/ em. I use either cooked cocktail shrimp or the smaller raw prawm tails. I feed em over the hook point, around the bend, & secure it w/ the egg loop. Can either float fish or driftfish.~~~ LB- Your post rings a bell...oh ya, Tiny Johnson the P.E. shower boy. Some guys used to call him "shrimp balls". Young dudes can be cruel.

I have used prawns a few times. They seem to work as well as sand shrimp. I just cut a small piece and thread it on the hook then use the loop to hold it down. Never thought about keeping the legs on though. That would be a better natural presentation.

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Just because I look big, dumb, and ugly, doesn't mean I am. It means I can stomp you for calling me it!

Over here on the East side, raw shrimp (or prawns) was a mainstay when we used to be able to fish (endangered species and all). Sand shrimp were impossible to find and I couldn't notice a difference between the two baits. Purple died shrimp are a favorite of my Qunialt guide plus the sockeye seem to really like them.I will still fish eggs over any other bait, but don't be afraid to try a 1/4 pound of raw shrimp the next time. snit

Farmgirl, Friend of mine swears by dyed tiger prawns cut into dime size pieces, especially for summer fish, I've tried them and the only difference I've noticed is they seemed to stay on the hook better

hey Girlie,Glad to hear that you are back among the living again,I like to use the shrimp balls decribed earier,I prefer to go small and use them mostly for summer runs I add a a little secret ingredent ( don't ask, some things I don't share)As far as the prawns go I will chose them over sand shrimp most of the time,I prefer to change the color a little I like the purple alot especially on the penninsula I use a special dye mix to get a brilliant red This is my favorite,they stay on and they work....good Luck

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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fishin Farmgirl:
[B]I was reading "Drift Fishing" and there was a section on the benefits of using small shrimp, cooked AND uncooked with legs left on, for bait! Has anyone used this method??? It sounds like it would be a HECK of a lot more durable than sand shrimpies, and he said the fish hammer it, PLUS it keeps the smolts from getting hooked!!!
Fishin Farmgirl
If you use cooked shrimp, don't forget to bring the cocktail sauce incase you decide to have alittle snack while fishin. LOL

You guys are always full of helpful info! Thanks for the feedback...it sounds like shrimp/prawn are a keeper!!! I'd best include them in the arsenal! Can't wait to try!!!!! So much to LEARN!

Ohhhh...ick...soggy...it DOES feel like fall! But there MUST be some fishies movin' SOMWHERE!!! Maybe the shrimp and I will go hunting them!!!

Hope you're all staying safe and warm on these dreery wet ones!!!

L

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"Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds!" Albert Einstein