I went out on a short 6 hour trip on the 17th and the shrimp fleet was about 1 hour out from Port A. I saw about a dozen of them at anchor where the last set of cargo and petroleum ships are at anchor. We didn’t fish under them unfortunately but I wanted to get the word out to those who will be targeting them this month. They are here!

We pulled a sailfish out from under an anchored shrimp boat, that was pretty exciting. We would always carry a case of cheap beer, when those guys run out you can make a really good deal on shrimp.

Ran out to some far rigs to catch some snapper while others were diving the rigs. We did well on snapper and released several amberjack. We hit several shrimp boats on the way back in. Nada. None Of the boats were shrimping, but still really weird that there was no hot activity on 4 shrimp boats.

Sorry if this a dumb question but what is the best strategy to fish around shrimp boats? Is it effective to troll behind them as they are dragging nets or is better to wait and fish next to them when they are culling? I’m always cautious about getting to aggressive and coming in too close to other boats.

Have fished a few shrimpboats over the years and in my opinion only & you can do variations of these methods. Main thing is to go slow if need be to not be out of control.

When they're dragging, most common is to pull up from behind to where cables enter water, cut to neutral throw some chum (biscuit) as you drift away, usually with the wind, and drop baits/throw lures after watching a bit and see if tuna and other desirable's come up from the deep. If they do show, keep tossing a little biscuit into water from time to time to keep them following your boat. If they disperse after a while go back & repeat. If nothing comes up, move on to next boat.

Anchored shrimpboats; pull up down wind/current to stern, neutral, throw biscuit, look for fish. Better to fish before culling or a few hours after culling.

Both basically same technique, it's easier to pull up to anchored boat than to judge the cables on a dragging boat. Main thing is get close and try to get at cables if pulling & under boat if anchored.

Never know what will come up or out from a boat. Have caught 35, 50 & 75 lb yellowfin tuna on same trip, seen a 80 lb ling that broke off, watched a TFF'er catch a 50 lb Wahoo, seen white marlin, 400-500lb Dusky & Silky shark, Dorado, Ling,.

Trolling is easier on an anchored boat as your not having to worry about cables and other boat parts as much, just anchor chain/line. You can troll dragging boats, just got to clear the cables.

Folks drop jigs, fish with bait, throw swim baits, topwaters, etc. Al techniques that catch fish work. The boat is a FAO as is the net when dragging.

Always fun fishing shrimpboats.

But not "stupid eel lures" according to Capt. James Wheeler"

Just ask Brian.