Do not buy a green or blue net, the shrimp can see them and you will not get as many shrimp. If you have a blue or green net, sell it or save it for crabbing this summer. Get a white or monofiliment net. The shrimp have a problem seeing the white net and will swim into it. With a blue or green net they will not. So stay with the white or monofiliment.

There are two basic styles of nets. The two foot and the three foot sock. The two foot sock comes off the rim of the net, about a foot into a small sock. Below is a photo of two nets 96" hoops, The one on the right is a better built net. Expect to pay $20 more. The one on the right should go for $50-$70. Below is two nets, one on the right is a better built net.

If you are shrimping off a pier or bridge you will want the full twenty foot pole, three sections. Each section is six feet long plus the net. If you want to get out further, as on a bridge, then you need to adjust your length accordingly. If you are shrimping out of a boat then you will only need the section with the net on it. Eight feet of net will do fine.

"Frame net" means a net in the form of an elongated bag kept open by a rigid frame that is buoyed by floats and is not fished or dragged along the bottom.

It's a net that is approved by the State of Florida. It has a PVC frame with a sock that is eight to eighteen feet long. A framenet is used mostly at Oakhill. The boat is anchored sideways . A Framenet has a bridle with which a rope is attached. You put the box net in the water down current. If the current is too strong the box net will ride up on top of the water. So you will need a weight to get it down. framenets get lots of shrimp very easily. It also gets all the grass, crabs and everything else that comes along. Only one frame net with an opening no larger than 16 feet around the perimeter, if deployed from a vessel or from a structure other than an operational bridge or causeway or catwalk attached to such bridge or causeway is permitted.

2. Frame nets shall not be considered an allowable gear for persons harvesting shrimp pursuant to this rule in any waters of the Southeast Region in Dade County. Jethro

I'll be discussing 12V & 110V lights. Green lightes, white lights, clear lights, purple lights yellow lights, coleman lantern and starfire lights. When to use which light, water depth and clarity.

Let's start with the 12V lights. These are hooked up to 12V batteries or 12V generators. There are two basic kinds: the starfire and the 12V recreational bulb. The most common being the 12V 50W bulb. These are used mostly off bridges. These lights come in frosted only. The starfire is used on boats and off bridges mostly. It is best to hang the Starfire over the side against and under the boat. That way, the bright light will not blind you. I have seen shrimpers using a Starfire on a PVC pole. Problem here is it will blind you and you want see the shrimp. If you do use a pole to extend it, either use a small shade or extend the light deep enough in the water as to not blind you.

110V lights are used in conjunction with a generator. They can also be used on the Titusville Pier AFTER THEY CLOSE DOWN. Remember, 110V lights are not authorized on the pier while there is an attendant there. These light are great in that you can change the wattage on them. They come in 100W, 75W, 60W & 40W. You probably would not want to go lower than 40W. You should have serveral different wattages of underwater lights with you so you can change.

You have the option of changing the color on a light by painting it. To paint a light, first clean the bulb with dishwashing liquid and wash you're hands with it also. That way, when you touch the bulb, you will not leave a grease spot. If a little is good then a lot is better, wrong. When painting a bulb put a light coat of paint evenly over the bulb. Use oil base paint only. Colors that are used by shrimpers are: red, green & purple.

I have never used a purple light. But know people that have. They say it's great and attracts shrimp better than a white light. I know that shrimp do not like a bright light. They will avoid it by going on the outside of the light. Green lights are great. I've used them many time It attracts shrimp and is not too bright for the eyes. Red is the same way.

Which color is best. Well, that depends on the circumstances. If the water at the Titusville Pier is clear to a dept of 6' I'll change colors of light. I start with a 100W 110V clear bulb light. If it's too bright I change to a 60W 110V. If you can not see the shrimp in the light because its too bright then switch to a green or red light. Better on the eyes. It depends on the clarity of the water. But if the clarity is not good then I go to the clear lights. Clarity of the water has a lot to do with which light I use.

The best light is a yellow light. Not the bug light you buy in the store. To establish a yellow light you have to have a lot of micro-organizism in the water. Let's say you're shrimping in four feet of water and the clarity is not good. I start with a 100W 110V light off the Titusville Pier. I put the light all the way to the bottom. If the light is too dim, then I raise the light by foot intervals. When I get a yellow light, thats where it stays. Yellow light is established by the distortion of the light beams through the micro-organisms as it goes deeper in the water. So, too deep is just as bad as not deep enough. It's up to your discretion to judge which depth is best.

Above water lights are used by many shrimping. Good thing about above water lights is you can change the wattage of the bulb in seconds. You can use above water lights on bridges, piers and in a boat. Titusville Pier has 110V and above water lights are most often preferred. But if you use an above water light, please use a shield for respect to other shrimpers. Makes a bad night shrimping when you have someone blinding you with their light. So respect your fellow shrimpers.

Coleman lanterns are used off bridges and seawalls. They are great when the shrimp want a soft light. I have seen times when underwater lights did not do as good as Coleman lanterns. The shrimp like the soft, above water light of the Coleman lantern. Be sure your Coleman lantern has a shield or you will not see much.

The type and color of light is up to you. Experiment and try different lights. If you're shrimping off a bridge in six feet of water and you're light is too bright, go to a colored light, red or green. If a person close to you is dipping more shrimp than you, analyze the situation. Why are they getting that many shrimp and I am not. His light might be dimmer than you'rs and shrimp are going into the dim light.

Anchoring is an important factor in shrimping. Be courtious and give yourself plenty of room away from other boats! They will not appreciate you anchoring up over their anchors and lights! For the solo shrimpers anchoring one anchor and light from the bow should be all you should have to do. Positioning a seat at the bow gives more comfort till they start running.

For two or more shrimpers, anchoring sideways will be more productive. Some folks stetch their lines out from the bow and stern with a wide spread and dont understand why. Makes you a victim of other boaters props when they seem to drive within 5' of your boat. The best method in my opinion is to anchor them 90 degrees from bow and stern and make sure to give enough pitch to secure the anchors properly.

Another way is to use one good anchor and fasten to the center cleat (if your boat can handle the stress). Raise the motor. This will make it less hassle in dipping around the anchor lines. The boat may be at a 45 degree angle to the current but you get the wide effect and get more time to capture the shrimp before they cruise under the boat. Also for the framenetters attaching the net to the centercleat on the opposite side will allow the boat to go 90 degrees.

As for my style of dipping, it all depends on conditions. If you are dipping on a calm night, dipping from the current side is ideal unless the current is strong and you are missing the shrimp. Then you can put the lights on the back side of the current and they will pop up from under the boat and around the bow and stern. This will give you a chance to get them before they enter the darkness. If the framenet is deployed, the large ones will try to avoid the net and spring to the surface.

If the wind is strong and the water is choppy the best thing would be to set the lights on the calm side of the boat in order to see them. This will also help since my eyes tear up in the wind.

I use the fishfinder as a tool to find them. they show up as dots on the screen. If they are deep, I setup the framenet accordingily. I use a 5-8# downigger weight attached to the bottom of the frame to sink it to the proper level. When it gets full the net will rise indicating its time to empty.( These are my technics and may not work for you but I do catch shrimp. I can not be held liable for injuries and accidents so be aware of your surroundings and safe dipping) Jethro