66: How to Catch Spot Shrimp in Washington (Complete Beginner Guide)

**How to Catch Spot Shrimp in Washington (Complete Beginner Guide)** If you've been thinking about getting into shrimping this season, but aren't sure where to start, this episode is built for you. Jamie and Scott walk through a Shrimping 101 seminar pulled straight from inside the Anglers Unlimited Gold community, covering everything from pot selection and gear setup to processing your catch dockside. **In this episode:** - Why shrimping is one of the best entry points for new anglers and families - Spot shrimp biology, what makes these guys unique and why the season is short - Coffin pot vs. Ladner vs. square pots - Pot puller options at every price point - Line management with the SMI Rope Winder and why it matters - Bait setup: shrimp pellets, Pro-Cure attractant, Chub Mackerel, and Friskies cat food - Weather, tides, and current planning so you don't lose gear - How to process your catch on the boat and stay in compliance **Timestamps** 00:00 — Welcome back + Jamie's first shrimping trip with the newborn  01:45 — 2026 shrimping regulation update and Marine Area 7 rule change  04:15 — Spot shrimp biology  05:30 — 2026 season dates and area openings/closures  07:30 — Four steps to shrimping success overview  07:50 — Shrimp pot breakdown: coffin pots, Ladners, and square pots  11:00 — Pot puller options: Scotty, Pacific Pro/Brutus, Max T-Hall  12:00 — Line management: bucket method vs. SMI Rope Winder  13:30 — C-links, cannonball setup, and connecting your rig  14:30 — Bait: pellets, Pro-Cure, Chub Mackerel, and cat food  16:00 — Weather and current planning  18:00 — Live boat footage: pulling a loaded coffin pot  20:30 — Processing your catch and counting limits on the water  21:30 — Pro tips: fishing logs, timers, and exploring new spots **Key Takeaways** - Coffin pots have the largest footprint and the most entry ramps — once Scott and Jamie switched, they started limiting out almost every time. - Orient your bridle longways (perpendicular to current) so both bait wells throw a wider scent trail. - Wind is not your friend — if it's bad out, you will lose pots. - Check your first set within 45–60 minutes so you have time to move if the spot isn't producing. - Keep a fishing log and mark productive spots on your sonar so you can return. - Always set a timer — it's surprising how fast the time goes and how easy it is to leave gear down too long. - Tidal prediction apps are helpful but they're predictions — not gospel. **Resources & Links** - WDFW Shrimping Regulations & Area Closures: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/pandalus-platyceros - McKay Shrimp & Crab Gear: https://www.mckayshrimpandcrabgear.com/ - Navionics App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/navionics-boating/id744920098 - SailFlow: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sailflow-sailing-forecasts/id555309964 - Windy: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/windy-app-wind-tides-radar/id997079492 - Free Shrimp Pot Setup Guide + Recipe: https://anglersunlimited.co/shrimp Ready to go deeper? The full seminar — including a deep dive on where to find shrimp, how to read contours, and live Q&A — is inside Anglers Unlimited Gold.  Email support@anglersunlimited.co with "CATCH MORE FISH" to learn more. **About the Podcast** Fishing for a Reason is the Pacific Northwest saltwater fishing education podcast for new anglers and families who want to catch more salmon, halibut, lingcod, shrimp, and crab in Washington waters. Hosted by Jamie & Scott Propst from Anglers Unlimited, each episode delivers practical techniques, local knowledge, and expert insights to help you get off the couch and into the fish. Perfect for relocated professionals, military families, and boaters who are just getting into fishing.