Shrimp Report

Capt. Lee Noga

Colleen Moriarty from S. Daytona 4 gallon pull in 3 hours, mixed sizes.
Colleen Moriarty from S. Daytona 4 gallon pull in 3 hours, mixed sizes.

Breaking News – FULL PULLS since July! South Daytona’s 5 year white shrimp slump has come to an end. Prior to the hurricanes of 2016 & 2017, we were already in a slump. The results were either no shrimp or popcorn size shrimp in small quantities. This severely affected the commercial industry. Typically, the white shrimp are reported in South Daytona first in July. Our season can turn off anytime in September and we remain attentive monitoring movement and size. The rains can reak havoc which is a problem we are dealing with currently. Once Central Florida turns off, the North East region of Florida turns on and continues well into the Fall (2 hour tow). The sizes in Central Florida range from popcorn to 5” range. This has been the best season in a half decade. First full pull was reported in July which was textbook. White shrimp are cast netted in the inter-coastal from CM 38 to 51during the day time in the Halifax river. The outgoing tide is preferred. The sizes are mixed with a high majority of mediums. The summer season also produces the most reports of Asian Tiger shrimp caught. We continue to see hybrids of the Asian Tiger from reproduction cycles with other shrimp species local to our waters. The North East is reporting no significant numbers of white shrimp and are voicing concerns in the Green Cove, Palatka and Welatka hot spots. This is not unusual to see a delay in the run in the N.E region. They enjoy shrimp runs that are much larger and last much longer compared to Central Florida. If Central Florida had their best run in 5 years, I am hard pressed to believe the N.E. will skunk. The boat flotilla’s are averaging 25-40 boats (not anchored). This is a boating sport unless you have access to docks around CM 38 and North. Just go buy a cheap cast net, add 25 feet of line, duct tape both sides of the lead line (keeps the net open longer resulting in more shrimp per cast). If the tape peels, use heat gun and the tape can be removed and replaced. DO NOT tape down the stringers (thick mono line running a vertical pattern from ring at top of net to the lead line). High Bridge in Ormond is a popular net snag area. If you want to throw under a bridge, use a cheap net you can afford to lose or damage. Scalloping has been a great year and remember the season ends Sept 10th – 24th depending on what County your scalloping in. Note, the sport of shrimping is a fluid sport where the conditions change daily. For up to the moment reports join the FB group – Florida Shrimping Academy – Tips & Tricks for current intel.

Capt. Lee Noga
Academy of shrimping
www.leenoga.com