Puget Sound Shrimping

So, my daughter gets this crazed look in her eyes whenever I mention shrimp.  She can hardly wait for me to catch some.

I was looking for some info on good spots not too far from where I live (close to Mt Vernon).  Found some info from Johns Sporting Goods about a few spots in MA-6.  Only issue with that is the one spot that looked within a reasonable paddling distance was out by Deception Pass, and I'm worried about the currents out there.

Anyone have general info about better spots?

Also, what's a favorite trap among folks here?  How much weight should I plan on adding to the pot (and what would the total weight of that pot be)?

Zee posted a good report several years back:
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=2835.msg27465#msg27465

Sounds like one hell of a workout from a kayak!

-Spot-

Yeah, I saw that report when I read kardinal_84's post about shrimping in Alaska.  Looked Zee was down around Edmonds.  That's nearly 70 miles from my house.  I was hoping for some spots that were accessible from places like Anacortes, Bellingham, Oak Harbor, Camano Is, etc.  Even Birch Bay is considerably closer.

Though spots in MA-6 would be nice as they have the most open season in the Puget Sound for spot shrimp (or at least they did, we'll see what the new regs say when they come out).

If

Another question I have is what to do with the shrimp after you have them onboard.  Do you keep them alive until cooking like crabs, or do you take the heads off right away, etc?

What do most folks put the shrimp in while pulling the second pot and heading back to shore?  For crabs I have a pillow case, but it seems like a bucket or basket of some sort is what I tend to see in pictures.

Another question I have is what to do with the shrimp after you have them onboard.  Do you keep them alive until cooking like crabs, or do you take the heads off right away, etc?

What do most folks put the shrimp in while pulling the second pot and heading back to shore?  For crabs I have a pillow case, but it seems like a bucket or basket of some sort is what I tend to see in pictures.

For me it depends on whether you have plans for the heads or not.  Deep fried, they are awesome!  Just as good for shrimp stock.  If you plan on using the heads, then I would keep them alive.  Spot prawns are well known for their heads turning black quickly after death.  So I keep them in a bucket of seawater for a few hours changing the water frequently. This helps purge the bait and other food from the shrimp.  I'm always amazed how dirty the water is after even a half hour soak. 

But if you just enjoy just the tails, most of my friends just snap the heads of as soon as possible and get them on ice. 

For me it depends on whether you have plans for the heads or not.  Deep fried, they are awesome!  Just as good for shrimp stock.  If you plan on using the heads, then I would keep them alive.  Spot prawns are well known for their heads turning black quickly after death.  So I keep them in a bucket of seawater for a few hours changing the water frequently. This helps purge the bait and other food from the shrimp.  I'm always amazed how dirty the water is after even a half hour soak. 

But if you just enjoy just the tails, most of my friends just snap the heads of as soon as possible and get them on ice. 

It would just be me and the 2 older kids eating them for now.  SWMBO, sadly, is allergic to shrimp so I probably won't be making any stock from the heads, and I don't foresee the kids being willing to try the heads until they're older.  I've never tried that myself.  Maybe if I get any I'll keep a few alive to try that and de-head the rest.  Sounds like I'd probably want a small cooler with ice in it then for the tank well.

Found this info on Lawson Reef.  Looks to be a 2.5-3 mile paddle to get out there.  Anyone know what the currents are really like out there?  Deepzoom shows on the bigger tidal exchanges currents up to 2.5kts in an area a mile or so west of that reef.  I'd just be concerned that the currents coming out of Deception Pass might make that area ... sporty.  Seems doable though if I pick days with lower exchanges.

Spot prawning is no small endeavor. From a kayak it is even harder. Be ready to stow 350 feet of rope per pot and have a system for dealing with the rope on board or you will have a massive mess.

Make sure and do a ton of pull ups because it is going to be a ton of work!

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Get yourself a scotty pot pull extension, and start doing cable rows with ~70 pounds.  More if there is a mechanical advantage built into the machine.

I've always had the hunch, based on no actual experience, that two Hobies working in tandem could make shrimping much easier.

One Hobie would have an ez marine anchor puller on a bridle with float off the rear of their yak.  http://www.ezmarine.com/all_products%2014.htm

The other Hobie would run the pot line through the pulley of the anchor puller and then cleat it off to the rear of their yak

Both yaks would then pedal directly away from each other until the pot is pulled to the surface.  The anchor puller's jam cleat would keep the pot from dropping back down once they stop pulling.

One yaker would sort the shrimp while the other coiled the rope.

Again this is all hypothetical but would be fun to try.  Wish the shrimping grounds were closer..

That does sound pretty cool.  But I don't even have 1 Hobie.

That does sound pretty cool.  But I don't even have 1 Hobie.

I guess you only have two options

Tough hand over hand pulls or Skippers 

If there is shrimping in the open ocean, bring your pots out to the buck and I'll help you.  Linglady will likely want taxes from your catch though.

If there is shrimping in the open ocean, bring your pots out to the buck and I'll help you.  Linglady will likely want taxes from your catch though.

It is open year round, but the regs state the following:

Year-round. Open daily.
Note: Pacific Ocean shrimp grounds are located a considerable distance from shore (30 miles or more) and as a result are generally inaccessible by the casual sport fisher.

That said, I'm always willing to share, whether shrimp or otherwise.

That does sound pretty cool.  But I don't even have 1 Hobie.

I guess you only have two options

Tough hand over hand pulls or Skippers 

I got to use Howards rod and reel method. It is pretty slick but requires a pretty expensive reel

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I got to use Howards rod and reel method. It is pretty slick but requires a pretty expensive reel

I think an old Penn 113 or 114 would work just fine.

-Allen