Indian River Shrimping

When anyone mentions shrimping, most people automatically think BOAT.

Not in Brevard County, Florida.

With the moon full this past weekend, the shrimpers were again out in force.

Although a lot of shrimpers opt for a boat, many prefer the camaraderie of shrimping from a causeway or a bridge.

The Max Brewer Memorial Parkway bridge on the Indian River at Parrish Park in Titusville, Florida, is one such gathering place.   The shrimping cranks up in the fall but actually lasts well into the summer.

Shrimpers use 12 volt batteries, or small compact Honda type generators, to provide juice for their lights. Usually, several water proof white or green lights are positioned on the bottom for each person to light up the water column with.

Long handled, fine meshed circular dip nets are then used to "dip" the shrimp from the water when they are spotted swimming through the lit water column. 

The shrimp are collected in the "heel" of the dip net where they cannot escape and then periodically dumped into a 5 gal. bucket used for transport.

When the shrimp are "running" you can load up a bucket in a very short time. The trick is to know, when they are running.....

Since there is no tide in the northern Indian River Lagoon, the wind plays a major role in water movement and successful shrimping.

The full moon is also locally believed to be big factor in shrimping, however, I have reservations about it. I have seen some of the biggest jumbo shrimp ever caught on the back side of a full moon and at other times, during the full moon. I do believe it's easier to see them during a full moon.

I have been on the bridge a few hours after sunset, when the shrimpers have their lights out, and the place looks like a fish hatchery! The sea trout, usually under sized trout, are all over the place eagerly gulping down the shrimp.

This frenzied feeding activity often attracts super sized bull redfish that can be seen moving through the water column like mini submarines. Although this activity usually occurs in warmer weather, you never know when they are going to be there!

Baiting, cast netting, push netting, frame netting and shrimp traps are also allowed for recreational harvesting of shrimp.

A valid resident or non-resident saltwater license is required and the daily bag limit is 5 gallons, with heads on, per person, daily. Boaters are limited to a 5 gallon bucket per vessel per day.

Shrimping is an enjoyable, cheap, fun activity and for me; beats the hell out watching the boob tube all night.

CLICK HERE to check out the rules and regulations you will need to be aware of if you get the itch to go night shrimping on the Indian River in central Florida.

Who knows, you MIGHT even get a shot at one of those 40 pound bull redfish!

Tight Lines!!