Mike Davis and his daughter show off the elusive Asian Tiger Shrimp caught at Ponce Inlet.
Asian tiger shrimp are still being caught inshore and near shore. This invasive species was introduced into the water from North Carolina in 1985 after a lab accident. They have been mating with our local species as well as eating a lot of the food resources that sustains our native shrimpery.
The changing of nature’s seasons closes one door and opens many others to keep us engaged and entertained. As far as shrimping goes, the door remains open in Oak Hill and Brevard. Oak Hill is still producing small shrimp with mixed sizes in the area and there remains “hit and miss” pockets of action in north Brevard. The great news is that the shrimping on the south end of county has risen from the ashes after a miserable last few years. The shrimping season in south Brevard is shaping up to have epic potential. The hot spots right now are the bridges in Melbourne and trapping is on fire at the SR 192 bridge.
On the other side of the state, Tampa is on the radar and they are into the crickets. The best place to shrimp in Tampa is at Fort DeSoto (3500 Pinellas Bayway S., St. Petersburg, FL 33715), where you don’t need a boat. Scalloping season is now open for the popular areas such as Crystal River, Keaton and Steinhatchee (located in panhandle West Coast, Florida). There is nothing more joyous than chasing these little sea biscuits with snorkel and mask. Crystal River is about a two hour drive from Central Florida, and Steinhatchee is about four hour commute.
Shrimping intel changes daily, for up to the minute intel and reports visit us on Facebook at Florida Shrimping Academy – Tips & Tricks.
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