Dead or alive? Shrimp, that is.

[revrusty]

Lack of success with artificials made me reach for shrimp to break a two-decade streak on Redfish. But in using both live and dead (frozen or on ice) shrimp, it doesn't seem to matter. Fish seem to bite both equally well. And dead is quicker and easier to re-bait. What have you found?

Then there's Gulp. I've fed several shrimp in a row to the same spot, then cast in a Gulp shrimp. Fish definitely can tell the difference. So if I want to have fun and get a keeper or two, I spring for $5 of dead shrimp and feed the fish. When satisfied and I feel more sporting I'll throw artificial again. Be honest, am I selling out?

[Curmudgeon]

Best reds I've caught were with gulp shrimp on a popping cork.


Curmudgeon only pawn in game of life.

[Baby Tran Cat]

do whatever makes you happy man...all that matters

[Milkjug]

Nah, do what you want.

I don't mess with the fresh dead except for early spring. Don't feel like taking off all the trash fish in the warmer months. Plus it is insult to injury to buy a bunch of bait and still get skunked. Use what you want. I will use lures, bait, spearguns, whatever flips your skirt in the air.

[JT]

Fishing 101: with oriental sage advice

"saying dead shrimp is as good as live shrimp is like saying screwing a dead whore is the same as a live one."

[shutout]

Fishing 101: with oriental sage advice

"saying dead shrimp is as good as live shrimp is like saying screwing a dead whore is the same as a live one."

Such a wise and saintly man is that JT

[lurefisher]

Wow what's it like to screw a dead whore ?

[Curmudgeon]

Fishing 101: with oriental sage advice

"saying dead shrimp is as good as live shrimp is like saying screwing a dead whore is the same as a live one."

So delicately phrased.

[revrusty]

Soooo, I'm a protitutional necrophiliac, huh? I'm wondering with you, lurefisher, remembering that ol' schoolyard taunt: "Takes one to know one."

You know, the last two times out, I went with lures and dead shrimp, but after no response on artificials, I turn to the shrimp and had fun for the rest of the morning, which is what it's all about to me. I guess I'm concerned about being lured by the dark side away from the concentration to make lures work. It takes practice and knowledge that I'm not getting with the shrimp.

Got some additional questions:

* I launched my yak last Saturday just before dawn, 5:30 or so, and a guy in a boat was hollering something at me about lights. I was just going to scoot over shallows to the islands off Galveston Bait & Tackle by the I-45 bridge to stake my claim (it drew a crowd shortly). But is there a regulation about lights on a kayak before dawn?

* I'm confused about 1) tide flows, 2) wind flows and 3) deep currents. They seem to be separate but related. The current in two channels I fish seems to go the same direction, regardless of the wind or tide. Know of a resource to help me figure this out?

* I'm told to check tides using the Turning Basin and Jamaica Beach and go between them (I think). But I'm not seeing that hold up for either end of the I-45 bridge. How better to determine the tides, say, on the Galveston end of the bridge?

* And, Curmudgeon, am I right in thinking the popping cork w/Gulp will work in water a little deeper than the depth of the line under the cork?

Thanks to all of you who answer on this forum for helping me. It's made a big difference.

[SCHU]

I think you mut have some sort of light on the craft no matter what size. Safety rules here, if not by law. Check the TPDW site or the Cast Guard for details. I wouldn't want to be in the water with no lights on at all, too many boats and too may accidents as a result. Prime exMple is the Lake Conroe accident a few weeks ago.
Tidal flow is the actual current caused by the natural flow of the tide caused by the moon effect on the earth. Wind flow is caused by the wind blowing across the surface of the water and causing a current.

Don't know about the others.

[Curmudgeon]

You're required to have a 360 degree visible light on a kayak when it's dark. Don't risk suicide by boat.

As far as the length of the leader below the popping cork: it can vary, but your choice is an excellent one for reds and flounder. Adjust it to work the whole water column.