Of course you bought too many shrimp; here's what you do | Fishing Roundup

The element of fear shouldn’t enter the discussion approaching a fishing trip. 

But there’s no escaping one horrific thought that infects the gray matter every time.

“What if we run out of bait?”

Generally, we beat back that beastly idea with a small piece of bank-issued plastic: If you think you need two dozen shrimp, you buy three. Hell, maybe four.

A few hours later, you’re packing up the gear and, without fail, asking yourself, “what to do with all these leftover shrimp?” At today’s prices, fewer things are disposable, you know?

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Also, we’ve all struck out with live bait, only to toss out a hunk of frozen shrimp and bring in a quality fish. So the first instinct is to take ’em home to the freezer and bring them along next time as the last-chance option.

(Not-so-fun fact: The only way you don't catch something with frozen shrimp is if you haven't first burned through a bunch of store-bought live bait. Scientifically proven.)

Recycled shrimp is a solid thought, assuming you’re not fishing again for several days or more. If you’re going back out the next day, however, there are better ideas.

“If I’m going back out tomorrow, I’ll put them in a cooler on ice,” says Capt. Billy Pettigrew, a 17-year veteran of the local charter scene. “If you don’t have a good cooler or enough ice, you can put them in a Ziploc and put them in the fridge.”

Tip: Hide them in the back, behind that 3-year-old jar of hot peppers. Some roommates get a little queasy at the sight of bait shrimp next to the milk and eggs, especially if they’re still flopping.

“Black drum, even sheepshead and mangrove snapper … if you’re using dead shrimp, they don’t usually want them frozen,” Capt. Billy says. “The water molecules expand, then shrink as they thaw and the shrimp becomes really soft.”

Nothing worse than watching your thawed and limp shrimp fly northwest while your weight and hook sail west.

If forced to freeze shrimp, add a bunch of salt to the bag to keep them from turning into one big, 15-headed crustacean. If you don’t necessarily want to build your day around fishing with frozen shrimp, consider this.

“I’ll use little bits of frozen shrimp to catch baitfish, instead of buying more,” Capt. Billy says. “Or, let’s say I’m fishing for mangrove snapper. I’ll cut up the frozen shrimp and hand-chum some shrimp out there. I’ll toss some off the boat, let it rest, do it again, let it rest, do it again, then fish.

“That usually makes the mangroves fire off.”

As others have likely noticed, it’s easy to forget those leftover shrimp if you’re next fishing trip is a week or more later. And within a month or two, you’ll likely have three or four small bags of shrimp in the freezer, under that leftover pie from Thanksgiving that you just couldn’t toss.

But that’s another story for another day.

Halifax/Indian River

One common theme this week involves the quality of the water in the intracoastal, particularly the closer you get to Ponce Inlet.

“It’s been absolutely gorgeous on higher tides,” says Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer). “You can see crystal clear to the bottom in 10 feet or deeper. Normally we don’t see this until July. It’s probably from water temps being a little higher right now.”

Pinfish and mullet are attracting big reds in the inlet area. The warming water has brought a noticeable uptick in shark catches, but also the early stages of the mangrove snapper’s summertime dominance.

Various on-line fishing groups have been loaded with pics of monster jacks caught throughout the river but especially near and just outside the inlet.

Surf

The surroundings seem better than the fishing right now, with a wayward pompano and some here-and-there Spanish mackerel in the northbound lane.

Whiting are fairly active, as are (of course) the sharks and catfish.

“Things have slowed up quite a bit, but the conditions are beautiful,” Marco Pompano reports from his Wilbur by the Sea post. “Breezy, Caribbean-style blue-green water.”

Chris Mansfield (Reel Healin’) confirms the good conditions and great water, especially with an incoming tide. He found some spots and whiting mixed in with the sharks and cats. Crab and flea-flavored Fishbites were working best, he says.

FISHBITES The idea for Fishbites began with young Billy Carr in New Smyrna Beach

Offshore

A variety of legal snapper remain in bloom in the farther reaches, while closer to home, within about five miles to shore, kingfish are taking the spotlight.

Flagler

Black drum can be found near docks and bridges before the sun stretches its legs. Same with quality reds along the rocks at Matanzas Inlet.

“Seeing some nice-sized whiting,” says Cathy Sanders (Florida Fishin’ Girl), who generally sticks to the surfline on Flagler’s beaches.

“Today’s bait of choice started with sandfleas and flea-flavored Fishgum,” she adds. “Then they switched and wanted shrimp, so make sure you’re armed with a variety of bait.”

St. Johns

Bluegill continue to show their love for the warming waters, as are some warmouth in the backroads off the main river.

“And we’re still catching speckled perch in the deeper waters on the St. Johns,” says Capt. Bryn Adams (Highland Park Fish Camp). “Bass fishing has been fair. No real size to them right now.”

Bluegill are big on crickets and small worms, but aren’t immune to chasing an artificial such as a small jig or beetlespin.

Lady Angler tourney approaching

The 36th annual Lady Angler is set for June 15. The tournament, produced by the Halifax Sport Fishing Club, targets wahoo, tuna, mahi and kingfish, with payouts through fifth place and an overall first-place haul of $10,000.

June 13 is set for the captains meeting at the HSFC’s Port Orange location, with tournament weigh-in at the River Deck in New Smyrna Beach.

The club’s website has all the info.

Hook, line and clicker: Send us your fish pics

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Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we're occasionally stumped).

Do I need a fishing license?

You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you're 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don't need a license. “Probably” Not: If you're fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which often purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you're a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.), and even if fishing with a shore-based guide.  However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license.

Where do I get a license and what does it cost?

Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick's, Walmart, etc.).  Florida's FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses:  GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don't forget: Whether you're fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually.

I’m here on vacation, do I need a license?

Yes you do, and they're also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers. Cost: $17 for three days, $30 for seven days, $47 for a year. Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they're just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures. (Florida residents need that license, too, but they're free.)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: What to do when your live bait outlasts a fishing trip? Options here