How To Make A Weedless Shrimp Rig [Quick & Easy Method]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
Getting snagged is the worst!
Fish love structure such as bridge pilings, rocks, and jetties because they hold a lot of food and offer protection from their predators…
But fishing around these objects can get you snagged frequently and leave you frustrated.
That is, unless you’re rigging your shrimp weedless.
In this video, you’ll learn:
- How to make a weedless shrimp rig
- The terminal tackle you need to make this rig
- How to select the proper hook & weight size (this is one of the biggest mistakes people make)
Check it out below!
How To Make A Weedless Shrimp Rig
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Click here to get the best hooks for this rig
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Here’s the detailed breakdown of how to make this weedless shrimp rig:
Step 1: Thread a bullet weight on the leader.
Step 2: Secure your hook to your line with a snug knot (I use the Orvis knot).
Step 3: Tear the shrimp tail off so it releases extra scent in the water.
Step 4: Stick the hook through the meat where the tail was and bring the point out of the shrimp about 1/4 inch down the body (on the underside.)
Step 5: Pull the hook through until the eye hits the meat where the tail was and then flip the hook so that it’s pointing towards the legs.
Step 6: Put the hook point back in through the underside of the body without sticking through the back of the shell.
How To Choose The Right Hook Size
The tackle for this weedless shrimp rig is simple and very inexpensive, so you can easily get all of the gear you need without breaking the bank.
The key takeaway is that you’ll need to match the size of the hook to the size of the shrimp.
Here are the sizes I recommend:
- Size 2 for 2 to 3-inch shrimp
- Size 1 for 3 to 4-inch shrimp
- Size 1/0 for 4+ inch shrimp
You can get the hooks and weights you need here: Eagle Claw Plain Shank Hook (My #1 Choice)
Note: These hooks work, too, in case you can’t find the ones listed above: Mustad O’Shaughnessy Hook
How To Choose The Right Weight
When selecting the size of the weight, the key thing to consider is the depth that you’ll be fishing… you want enough weight to get your shrimp to the bottom without being too heavy.
Here’s a quick list showing how to pair weight sizes with the depth of the water you’ll be fishing:
- 0 to 2 ft: 1/16th oz
- 2 to 4 ft: 1/8th oz
- 4 to 8 ft: 3/16 th oz
- 8 to 15+ ft: 1/4 th oz
Note: This scale is just a general guide and it assumes little to moderate current flow… go up in size if you’ll be fishing areas with strong currents.
Here are the weights I like best: Bullet Weights
Have any questions about making this rig?
Let me know down in the comments!
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How well do frozen shrimp do when rigged like this? Thanks.
They are usually a bit softer, but they still can work.
How do you feel about putting a small bead between the knot and weight? Might add a little click when moved?
I have never tried using a bead for sound like that… may very well help draw in fish for more strikes.
I like the video and will try this the next time I’m fishing in a rocky area.
Thanks for making time to leave the nice comment Glen!
Great video. I will definitely use this tactic next time I go sheepshead fishing. Keep the good ideas coming
Thanks for making time to leave the nice comment David!
I’ve used this rig for a very long time. However, I still have a problem with currents that bring it into rocks and oysters on the bottom, then losing the rig to them. I’m looking for ways not to lose rigs to the bottom. Drag sinkers, sacrificial sinkers, heavier lines, and weights all don’t have the desired effect. There has to be a better way of fishing sticky bottoms within a fast current while using a live bait rigged. PS If you were thinking of using a bobber… It isn’t a good idea either the bobber moves too fast through the strike zone.
The only type of structure that this rig struggles with is oysters given their many sharp crevices that can pin the weight down and break the line. The best way to handle them is to go lighter on the weight so that the shrimp can barely get to the bottom and it’ll bounce off the tips of the highest oysters while flowing with the current… you’ll just need to keep you line tight so you can bump it up when you feel it hit the bottom.
Otherwise, you’ll need to make a point to target just the outside edges of the oyster zones.
I have a lot of oysters right by my dock and I will definitely try this asap! Thanks!
Great video and information. The video for casting live bait that is provided in the comments is great too. Thanks Salt Strong.
Thanks for making time to post the nice comment Anthony!
Just wondering I thought Florida required circle hooks when fishing live baits such as shrimp? Am I mistaken. Thx. Good video. Great detail.
Circle hooks are required when fishing reefs and/or for reef species along the Gulf coast of FL (last time I checked the Atlantic side didn’t have a ruling but that could have changed). For inshore fishing for sheepshead, drum, etc, the j-hooks are legal.
One thing I forgot to mention in the video is that this rig is specifically for us anglers who are actively fishing meaning that we are always keeping the line tight feeling for strikes and ready for a quick hookset… for anyone else, circle hooks are the way to go because they’ll make sure the fish won’t get hooked deep.
I saw video with captain Meeks where he was using egg sinker weights when fishing mangroves. But I’ve also seen him use bullet weights. Can you clear up a little confusion I have. When should you used egg sinkers vs bullet weights on mangroves and structure. Thanks
They both essentially do the same thing which is keep the shrimp on the bottom while enabling the weight to slide up and down the line. The bullet weight has an advantage around hard structure objects with hard edges (dock pilings, rocks, etc.) because its shape makes it more weedless.
Thank you Luke! Absolutely love your videos and your team has helped me tremendously. Do you ever fish in my neck of the woods? Sanibel and Pine Island? Be awesome to see you analyze some of the spots. Thanks again
Sorry Captain Deeks.
Thanks for the tip, I an terrible at live shrimp. What’s the best way to cast a rig like that without ripping the shrimp in half?
Here’s a tip for casting live bait vs. lures: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/lures-vs-live-bait-casting/