Shrimping season is a highly anticipated time for a tight group of dedicated shrimpers in Dillon. The season is kicked off with Brownie Campbell’s Annual Shrimp Net Casters’ Tournament in September, where the shrimpers can hone their skill before taking it to the beach. This was the first year that I participated, even though I have not been shrimping since about four years ago. We had a great time, and even though I lost, I wanted to get out on the water and make a shrimping trip at least once during the season.
South Carolina is the only place that allows baiting for shrimp. The 2016 season started on September 9, continuing for 60 days through November 8. Shrimpers are allowed to fill a 48 qt. cooler per boat. (28 qt after heading the shrimp)
I stayed with Bo Hutchison in Charleston Saturday night, and we woke early Sunday morning to catch the low tide. We were not organized at all and had to make stops at 5 different places to get the boat, poles, bait, net, and biscuits. We finally made it to McLellanville. There were a lot of boats launching at the ramp which I always take as a good sign that people are having some success.
We rode out into Bulls Bay, for a spot where Richard Calhoun had caught a lot of shrimp earlier in the season. The bay was a maze of shrimping poles and we tried to get through without getting too close to another boat or running aground.
We stopped in 2 feet of water and rolled our bait mix into balls. The most clever thing I noticed is that Bo had mesh nets tied to each pole. We packed the bait balls into each net so it wouldn’t drift away from the poles with the current. It is amazing how such simple ideas can make life so much easier. Because of the bait nets, we only used one bait ball per pole all morning.
A boat is allowed to work 10 poles, and after each pole was baited and standing in the water, we made our first pass. I drove the boat, while Bo threw the net, and Hampton Wright popped the shrimp heads off.
We made several passes before I decided to take a turn throwing. I had hurt my back earlier so I copied a technique that Mickey Dew showed me where he turns a certain way and allows the net’s momentum to cause it to open. It worked wonderfully, and I managed to pull in a few shrimp.
I heard some hollering coming from a boat in the distance and figured that they just landed a good net full of shrimp. We noticed that our first 5 poles yielded very few shrimp in each cast but the last 5 poles usually held a good load of shrimp. We finished the day with 24 quarts of headed shrimp and had to quit because Bo ran out of time, even though we had not reached the limit.
Shrimping is a fun, and fast action activity. One thing I like is that we are constantly bringing in catches, and after every throw, the crew stands in suspense waiting to see what comes up. I could especially expect a good load when I saw light colored shapes popping inside the net before I pull it tight.
Even after buying the $25 license and $27 bag of bait for one trip, you more than break even after catching a full cooler, if compared to buying the same amount of shrimp at the grocery store or fish market. Since we got home, I have been boiling shrimp to dip in cocktail sauce, low country boils, and shrimp and grits. There are many more ways to cook them. Just ask bubba.
