Live bait

[wjsmith82]

Any members have suggestions on where I can get live shrimp near Harker's Island?

Thanks.

Bill

[Eel]

Maybe Billy's Grocery on Harkers Island? Or you can make the ride over to Atlantic Beach and get them at Chasin Tails or Freeman's.

[wjsmith82]

Thanks Eel.

Billy's is open until 9 PM on Friday and does not sell live shrimp. Freeman's is open until 11 PM and does. I may just make the trip to Freeman's on the way in.

One year I got lucky and caught about 2 doz. with a cast net at the docks at Calico Jack's. I don't think it will be that easy this year.

[Eel]

Good deal. I have to recommend Chasin Tails, though. The Lambs are good friends and great people, and I always try to steer business their way. They're also a handful of the best redfishermen in the state. *Cheers*

[fishmonger]

There is also a family on Harker's Island across the street from Mr. Big's seafood that sells them when they have them (big tanks) check for a sign in the yard. I also just remembered that there is a little tackle shop on the right hand side of the road right before you go over the bridge by the public boat ramps that was just starting to sell them when I was down in June. It seems I've given no "for sure" answers but at least some places to think about if you're in need!

Best regards,
Fishmonger

[Lightnin']

Low tide in almost any creek with grass banks this time of year and you will probably catch all you want. Dont have to be that lucky either!

[wjsmith82]

Thanks Lightnin'. I will give that a try in the AM. I will probably buy a few doz. on the way in for some night fishing.

Thanks for the info Eel. Will do. Chasin' Tail does not have live shrimp, but anticipate having some by Friday. They are also open until 11 PM.

Thanks Fishmonger. The lady that sells shrimp, Rose, will not have any for a couple of weeks. She said thay are still working on the boat. The bait and tackle shop before you cross the bridge is Chadwick's. They close at 7 PM on Friday and do not have any shrimp yet either.

Thanks again to everyone.

Best regards and tightlines!

Bill

[Dave]

As a reminder to folks, this time of year, you'll always want to call and check to see that the dealer has shrimp available, as it becomes increasingly more difficult to find and stock live shrimp as the water cools. When the shrimp availability dries up, most will go to mud minnows for specks. Can usually catch specks a limit of specks with artificials (gulps seem to be favored), but IMO, live bait most often produces the biggest fish, as these (older fish) seem more wise and wary then the larger schools of smaller fish.

Tip for catching mud minnows, (as demonstrated to me by a fellow CCC of CSO member) is to bait a minnow trap with broken oysters, which can be found most anywhere in and around the marshes at the coast. You might try setting the trap by the dock, submerged but at the water's edge, in the evening and checking it a half hour later... if there are any mud minnows around, they should have found the bait.

Good luck Bill... hope to run into you and Avery at the coast this fall *Cheers*

Dave