Live Shrimp Rigging Mistakes (Don’t Do This)
- By: Luke Simonds
- on

Live shrimp is one of the best baits you can use, but most anglers make simple rigging mistakes that cost them fish. Whether you’re targeting snook, redfish, trout, or even sheepshead, the way you hook a shrimp can make or break your day on the water.
In this video, you’ll learn the right way to rig live shrimp for different fishing scenarios. Some techniques keep shrimp swimming naturally, while others make them irresistible to bottom-feeding predators. But rig it wrong, and you’re just giving fish a free pass.
Want to Dive Deeper? Unlock the best fishing spots and save hundreds on your tackle as a Salt Strong Insider (Click Here to Learn More)
Watch now and discover:
- The biggest mistake anglers make with live shrimp
- The best rigging method for strong currents, deep water, and sight fishing
- A simple trick to trigger more bites (especially in tough conditions)
If you’re still using the same old method, you might be missing out on bites.
Stock up on live bait gear now and hit the water ready for your next trip – Insiders get 20% OFF 👉 fishstrong.com
Need More Help?
Do you want to find the best fishing spots, catch more fish in less time, and save hundreds on your tackle?
Then join the 53k+ passionate fishermen in the Salt Strong Insider Club, where you’ll:
- Unlock the Best Fishing Spots with Smart Fishing Spots, Daily Fishing Reports, and Weekly Trends
- Catch More Fish in Less Time with AI Game Plans, Regional Coaches, Mastery Courses, and more
- Save Hundreds on Tackle with Insider-only discounts to fishstrong.com
- Have More Fun with the best online fishing community, local chapters, fishing meet-ups, and more.
👉 Click Here to Learn How the Insider Club Can Work For You
Let’s Talk!
💬 How do YOU rig live shrimp? Let us know your go-to method in the comments below!
Related categories:

STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Lots of great info! Thanks!
Great pointers thanks
Great information. I learned a lot. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve got a few of those pre built for when other ways aren’t working 🤜🤛
This video contradicts an earlier video from Luke with respect to the amount of line under a popping cork. This video says to use a length of line equal to the depth of the water so the shrimp lies on the bottom. Luke specifies about 14” under the Doctor Popper so the fish rise to investigate the sound and see the shrimp floating in the water column.
There is a big difference between using lures and live bait under corks. For lures, the lure is working in tandem with the cork so needs to be close to it. But for live bait, the live bait is what is doing all of the work so it can be dropped down deeper to get closer to the fish.
I have a simple tip for you, totally unrelated to hooking a shrimp properly.
A no brainer, pun intended: )
It is about setting your rod/reel down properly and it takes no longer than to set it down improperly, like shown in the video.
It will protect your reel from damages, scratches, etc.
Set it down on the handle side where the bail and spool skirt will be elevated and not touching anything.
So simple even a dummy could do it. Oddly, I rarely ever see it being practiced???
Great topic, terrible video. The worst I’ve ever seen Salt Strong publish. Unfortunately, the lack of closeups on the shrimp made it useless. I was really looking forward to this topic. Very disappointed.
Couldn’t see how he was rigging the shrimp too far away
I’d like to see a better closeup of the first hook example.
Very good video and the applications of hooking shrimp … Job well done