Live Shrimp

Down for the week. Wanted to get some live shrimp. Called Gulf Shores Marina out on Fort Morgan they don't have any. Who would have live shrimp or at the least good fresh dead shrimp?

Thanks,

I got mine this morning from J&M on Canal Rd. in Orange Beach. Great big shrimp hardy and robust (I checked on 'em a little while ago and the rest of 'em are all still alive!). They open around 5, if I remember correctly.

I called J&M at 5:00 p.m. and they were out of live bait. Live shrimp are available at Fresh Market at Co. Rd. 10 and Hy. 59.

@ Pier#r, I wonder if sand fleas are still around the shores this time of the year... I like them better than live shrimps on sheephead, and pompano included.

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Originally Posted by Traxxx

@ Pier#r, I wonder if sand fleas are still around the shores this time of the year... I like them better than live shrimps on sheephead, and pompano included.

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As water temps cool sandfeas get less numerous on the beaches.
There should be plenty in the freezers at the bait stores though.
You might want to try ghostshrimp ;-)

I went to J&M around 4:15 to buy my normal tackle box fillers and they were out of all live bait. I picked up some frozen mullet and some 13/0 circles for ft. Morgan point later this week. Anyway, went to fresh market at 4:45 and they had live shrimp and a dozen or two bull minnows. I'm sure they will still have shrimp in the morning.

I had trouble finding sandfleas in April, May, and June of this year. Was I just unlucky or unskilled or were they more scarce this year? Where do they go in cold weather? I thought they would drown if submerged too long.

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

As water temps cool sandfeas get less numerous on the beaches.
There should be plenty in the freezers at the bait stores though.
You might want to try ghostshrimp ;-)

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Originally Posted by chillinfish

I had trouble finding sandfleas in April, May, and June of this year. Was I just unlucky or unskilled or were they more scarce this year? Where do they go in cold weather? I thought they would drown if submerged too long.

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I think most everyone did.
The low salinity in the winter/spring may have kept them off the beaches.
They move off the beaches in winter into deeper water when the water gets cooler and their metabolism slows down.
Remember they are cold-blooded but have gills and can get the oxygen they need from the water (submerged) as well as from the air (on the beach).

What #r sand wire said. A few days ago I tried to buy live shrimp and no one had any except J&M. I think you need to call the bait shops on any given day and check to see if they have any live shrimp first, as it changes daily. I have had better luck with J&M's shrimp staying alive longer. I think it has to do with his filtration system and cleaner water. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by fshntime

What #r sand wire said. A few days ago I tried to buy live shrimp and no one had any except J&M. I think you need to call the bait shops on any given day and check to see if they have any live shrimp first, as it changes daily. I have had better luck with J&M's shrimp staying alive longer. I think it has to do with his filtration system and cleaner water. Good luck!

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I agree with the water not being as clear from fresh market. Has anyone tried to mix fresher water once at the pier? If done slowly will it kill them off?