I know there are some of us out there that don't want the white bait to leave. However, we need to face the reality that baitfish is on its way out, and shrimp is in. We are getting close to that time of year where shrimp is the food of choice for most gamefish. As the water temperature drops the baitfish will start to vanish and those hungry redfish, snook and trout are ready and willing to eat shrimp.

Using shrimp while wading on the flats and fishing potholes can make for some very exciting fishing. Taking some shrimp with you on the flats is about as simple as it gets when it comes to being prepared for the days fishing. When I head out wading, I will make a stop at a favorite local bait shop and load up on about 6-8 dozen nice size shrimp. Some of those bait shops will have different sizes available. I normally try and get the "select" size. These shrimp are about three to four inches long and make casting a breeze. One thing I would like to stress about getting your shrimp is making sure you will have plenty in your bait bucket. That six to eight dozen should be enough for you, just make sure that your fishing buddy gets his own six to eight dozen. You may think that having that many shrimp is overkill. However, there may be days that you will dump out some left over shrimp, and there will be many more days that you will be glad you got that extra dozen.

Keeping your shrimp alive is the key to having success wade fishing. There are many different ways of doing so. I use my blue mesh bait ring which is nothing more than a mesh bag with a Styrofoam ring. The reason I like that blue mesh is because when you reach for a shrimp in the ring you will be able to see them up against the blue color of the bag.

I have two very effective methods for fishing shrimp. I will start with free lining a live shrimp on a 1/0 circle hook. Free lining shrimp is very productive fishing potholes on the flats and drop offs in channels.

I use very light wire hooks to enable the shrimp to swim naturally. Most of the time, I will insert the hook in the last section of the tail before the shrimp's fan. I have found that hooking the shrimp there will allow free movement and a very natural look. The key to being productive using shrimp is working the bait very slow and have patience. Remember this, if you think your retrieve is too slow, slow down your retrieve even more. Shrimp are very slow moving, and a fast retrieve will be unnatural. Working a free-lined shrimp across a pothole on the flats should be like working the edges of a farm pond. Once you see the pothole that you want to fish, cast across it and slowly start your retrieve. On the edge where the grass and sand meet is where most of the fish are going to be sitting. Once they see a tasty shrimp moving across their home, they just can't resist.

When working a channel or a drop off, determine which direction the tide is going and cast into the tide.

Allow your free-lined shrimp to drift with the tide. One tip I have for you is make sure you take up the slack in your line as it drifts, because without taking the slack line, you may not feel the strike. Working the edges of a channel or drop off is a very natural presentation to gamefish because your live shrimp is simply moving with the tide.

My second method for fishing shrimp is using a popping cork. This method is tried and true. Wade fishing on the flats, when the bite is a little hit or miss, I will rig up a popping cork above a quarter ounce jig head. Depending on how shallow the water is will determine what distance the cork will be from the jig head. Using a popping cork can really help you find more fish because you can cover more water with its constant retrieve. Just remember that if you are using a popping cork make sure it makes noise. I use quick twitch-like movements to move the cork.

Most of the time, the fish are more curious than anything and just can't resist an easy snack of shrimp. Working this method over shallow grass or through potholes can and will produce some exciting action.

When you break it all down, using live shrimp is one of the easiest and most effective ways to go out and enjoy a good days fishing.

Captain Jay Withers operates Silver Lining Charters in the Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande area. He is USCG licensed and an IGFA Certified Captain. For charter fishing, Captain Jay can be reached toll free at (888) 492-5464 or check out

SilverLiningCharters.net

By CAPT. JAY WITHERS