Night Shrimping
Night shrimping has the advantage of taking you out from under a fiery sun and putting you on the river during the cool evening hours. After nightfall, shrimp come up out of the deep river channel onto the shallow (3 feet deep) grassy flats to feed. Because the shrimp can spread out over a considerable area of grass flats, it's necessary to attract the shrimp to your boat with a light and bait. A typical bait is a mixture of rock salt, flour, and shrimp meal made into meatball-sized patties. Most people use a Coleman lantern or its equivalent for a light source.
Go out onto the river at dusk and pick out a shallow, grassy spot. I prefer to run straight across the river from the Governor's creek boat ramp in Green Cove Springs. If you are not sure where to go, inquire at local bait shops or the place where you buy the fixings for your shrimp bait. Alternatively, look for other boats anchoring up and putting out lights. Once you find a spot, anchor up very securely so that your boat will not swing off the baited site. Two anchors, bow and stern, often are necessary.
As soon as it starts to get dark, hang your light so it shines on the water. Then throw out a dozen or so baits all around your boat not any further away than you can throw a cast net. Periodically make test casts until a shrimp or two appears in your net, indicating that the evening run has started. Continue with frequent casts, pausing only occasionally to re-bait your site, until you have your limit, it's well after midnight, or you are exhausted!
Now all you have left to do is find the boat ramp somewhere on the far side of a dark river, drive home at some awful hour, and clean 5 gallons of shrimp. Loran or GPS makes quick work of the first task, lots of coffee helps with the second, and if you iced down the shrimp soon after they were caught, it's O.K. to put off cleaning them until you've had some sleep. Clearly you don't try night shrimping if you have to go to work the next day!
Daytime Shrimping
If you prefer to keep banker's hours, then daytime shrimping is for you. During the day shrimp concentrate in the deep river channels in nearly 20 feet of water. Often the schools can be spotted with a good quality fish finder. Alternatively, you can look for a gathering of boats whose occupants are crazy enough to repeatedly throw cast nets in the heat of the day!
The secret to catching daytime shrimp, after you have located them, is to have modified your cast net so that it opens fully while sinking to depths of 20 feet. This means two modifications: (1) extending the length of the retrieval line so the net will reach bottom without being pulled closed and (2) applying duct tape or lawn furniture webbing to the net, just inside the lead line, to cause it to fan open as it sinks. Once you have done this and have located the shrimping fleet, drift along the edge of the river channel in about 20 feet of water while watching your fish finder and periodically making test casts. When you start to bring up shrimp in your net, anchor and have at it! Just be sure to bring lots to drink and keep an eye out for afternoon thunderstorms
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, November 24, 2008
READERS SPEAK OUT: Aircraft carrier, not a cruise ship
While plans for a cruise ship terminal at Mayport are controversial, the Navy's plans to base a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier there were mostly greeted with enthusiasm. Here's a sampling of reader views:
By The Times-Union
A nuclear carrier at Mayport would be a tremendous boost to the economy, as evidenced by the loss of the John F. Kennedy.
It is a well established fact that between 65 percent and 80 percent of military personnel who retire remain at the place they retire. I have known retired military people who had a tremendous impact on Jacksonville and they would not have been available but for the percentage of retired personnel who remain in the place that they retire. So I say bring on a carrier and the county of Duval will be well rewarded, both in the present and future.
Art Cape
The Navy has finally acknowledged that, just as the West Coast has multiple carrier ports, the East coast also needs multiple carrier ports.
Mayport is unique in that a carrier can get to sea in less than an hour, and without tugboats if required. Conversely, the trip from Norfolk to the open sea is a 4- or 5-hour evolution, and if not mistaken, does require tugboat assist on every trip.
James Weiss
Carrier GREAT! Glad to see the Navy not putting this egg in the Norfolk basket to make an even bigger, more attractive target for terrorists. Good for Mayport, good strategy for the Navy. Cruise ship BAD, BAD, BAD! Don't destroy quaint little Mayport for such a low-class industry. The cruisers can waddle on and off the ship somewhere else.
Joyce Bates
I, for one, am happy that we are getting a cruise terminal as well as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at the Mayport Naval Station. As for the cruise ships, it will make it so much more convenient and economical for the people of North Florida, as well as Georgia and other neighboring states.
Jim Darrah
I think, as a country, we may have our priorities mixed up. If the goal of our armed forces is defense and our most likely enemies at this time are terrorists, a nuclear carrier makes no sense.
Richard M. Schrader
First of all, there is no comparison between cruise ships and the homeporting of a nuclear carrier. The cruise ship would put waves of people into the community for a brief time; the carrier would bring hundreds of employees permanently. In addition, the crew have families that would require housing, shopping, and educational opportunities. The only commonality between the two is they both would bring dollars into the market, one that would be sustained, the other periodically.
Robert Schellenberg
For ... Jacksonville as a whole, the additions of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and a new cruise ship terminal are very positive developments. Both will contribute to our economy and to the status of Jacksonville.
But from the standpoint of long-time Mayport residents, these developments - especially the cruise ship terminal - are very threatening to a traditional way of life. Their fears are entirely understandable because Mayport will definitely change as a result. It will no longer be a sleepy fishing village. I suspect that the vast majority of Jacksonville residents will see these developments as good. Of course, the vast majority of Jacksonville residents will not be forced to live with the immediate day-to-day impact of more traffic, thousands of visitors, and the loss of some long-time businesses.
John "Jack" A. Mitchell III
The placement of a carrier at Mayport to fill the void left by the departure of the JFK will not only be a morale booster to those in the Navy stationed in Jacksonville but also will cause the restoration of many businesses as well as increase business for those who managed to weather the loss of the JFK and accepted lost/reduced income because of it. Every area will be affected, home rental and purchase, food sales, auto sales, clothing, recreation, etc.
The cruise terminal is a hard pill to swallow. Although it will bring economic gain, it will also bring lifestyle loss.
John Waddell
Bringing a nuclear carrier into Jacksonville means a multitude of new homeowners, consumers and taxpayers, which can only be seen as a plus for the local economy.
It will require the city to look at a variety of needs and to support a relevant expansion of the school facilities in the Beaches area, and perhaps elsewhere, where the new families will reside. However, there is plenty of time to do that.
The proposed cruise ship terminal should also serve the Jacksonville economy well. It will give Jacksonville a chance to build its tourism trade, something that it has not really captured as a Florida city. Ideally, there is enough time to do it right, using what's been learned elsewhere to eliminate the unwanted baggage that can come with an overly zealous development program.
Jim Zambelli
Mayport, for those of us who spent our growing years in Jacksonville and at the Beaches, will never be the same if the Navy's plan for a nuclear carrier and the developers' wish to build a cruise ship terminal there reach fruition. Our local and national politicians who can, if they so desire, examine the impact of these changes on the local residents and small fishing, shrimping and retail enterprises that exist now in Mayport will most likely look the other way while the lobbyists stuff their pockets with favors and/or cash. Surely (as has been rumored) they could not use "eminent domain" as their legal argument, as all of the Mayport residents and business people I have spoken to about this issue are opposed to these changes to their community. Leave Mayport as it is. It's one of the best parts of our history.
Diana Townsend
While we all hate to see historic areas change, it is inevitable that they do. The property on which the Mayport base itself stands was once a privately owned resort that drew movie stars and northern socialites. Few remember this era and its buildings no longer survive, but its story still remains.
And so it goes with the fishing village of Mayport. Those who remember it as it once was and haven't seen it recently may think no change is warranted. But when Mayport's small businesses are failing, schools are threatened with closure due to low attendance and much of the low-income housing near the base has been shuttered due to lack of tenants, it's obvious that an economic boost is needed.
The nuclear carrier is exactly such an economic boost for Mayport and the Beaches. Construction will bring that boost for the next few years, then the carrier itself, its crew members and their families will bring vibrance back to the area.
For those who want to preserve the character of the existing fishing village at Mayport, take lots of pictures and record your stories of it so they may live on in history. The Timucuans who used to inhabit the area could testify to the futility of fighting progress.
Lynn Maria Thompson
The carrier is a good thing for the country and Jacksonville. The cruise terminal is another matter. The terminal will bring few jobs and will destroy the charm and character of that small village along the St. Johns river.
Sensible folk will say it's no more than common sense that a nuclear carrier is a huge positive for Jacksonville while the cruise terminal is just a big zero.
Jim Moore
By The Times-Union
A nuclear carrier at Mayport would be a tremendous boost to the economy, as evidenced by the loss of the John F. Kennedy.
It is a well established fact that between 65 percent and 80 percent of military personnel who retire remain at the place they retire. I have known retired military people who had a tremendous impact on Jacksonville and they would not have been available but for the percentage of retired personnel who remain in the place that they retire. So I say bring on a carrier and the county of Duval will be well rewarded, both in the present and future.
Art Cape
The Navy has finally acknowledged that, just as the West Coast has multiple carrier ports, the East coast also needs multiple carrier ports.
Mayport is unique in that a carrier can get to sea in less than an hour, and without tugboats if required. Conversely, the trip from Norfolk to the open sea is a 4- or 5-hour evolution, and if not mistaken, does require tugboat assist on every trip.
James Weiss
Carrier GREAT! Glad to see the Navy not putting this egg in the Norfolk basket to make an even bigger, more attractive target for terrorists. Good for Mayport, good strategy for the Navy. Cruise ship BAD, BAD, BAD! Don't destroy quaint little Mayport for such a low-class industry. The cruisers can waddle on and off the ship somewhere else.
Joyce Bates
I, for one, am happy that we are getting a cruise terminal as well as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at the Mayport Naval Station. As for the cruise ships, it will make it so much more convenient and economical for the people of North Florida, as well as Georgia and other neighboring states.
Jim Darrah
I think, as a country, we may have our priorities mixed up. If the goal of our armed forces is defense and our most likely enemies at this time are terrorists, a nuclear carrier makes no sense.
Richard M. Schrader
First of all, there is no comparison between cruise ships and the homeporting of a nuclear carrier. The cruise ship would put waves of people into the community for a brief time; the carrier would bring hundreds of employees permanently. In addition, the crew have families that would require housing, shopping, and educational opportunities. The only commonality between the two is they both would bring dollars into the market, one that would be sustained, the other periodically.
Robert Schellenberg
For ... Jacksonville as a whole, the additions of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and a new cruise ship terminal are very positive developments. Both will contribute to our economy and to the status of Jacksonville.
But from the standpoint of long-time Mayport residents, these developments - especially the cruise ship terminal - are very threatening to a traditional way of life. Their fears are entirely understandable because Mayport will definitely change as a result. It will no longer be a sleepy fishing village. I suspect that the vast majority of Jacksonville residents will see these developments as good. Of course, the vast majority of Jacksonville residents will not be forced to live with the immediate day-to-day impact of more traffic, thousands of visitors, and the loss of some long-time businesses.
John "Jack" A. Mitchell III
The placement of a carrier at Mayport to fill the void left by the departure of the JFK will not only be a morale booster to those in the Navy stationed in Jacksonville but also will cause the restoration of many businesses as well as increase business for those who managed to weather the loss of the JFK and accepted lost/reduced income because of it. Every area will be affected, home rental and purchase, food sales, auto sales, clothing, recreation, etc.
The cruise terminal is a hard pill to swallow. Although it will bring economic gain, it will also bring lifestyle loss.
John Waddell
Bringing a nuclear carrier into Jacksonville means a multitude of new homeowners, consumers and taxpayers, which can only be seen as a plus for the local economy.
It will require the city to look at a variety of needs and to support a relevant expansion of the school facilities in the Beaches area, and perhaps elsewhere, where the new families will reside. However, there is plenty of time to do that.
The proposed cruise ship terminal should also serve the Jacksonville economy well. It will give Jacksonville a chance to build its tourism trade, something that it has not really captured as a Florida city. Ideally, there is enough time to do it right, using what's been learned elsewhere to eliminate the unwanted baggage that can come with an overly zealous development program.
Jim Zambelli
Mayport, for those of us who spent our growing years in Jacksonville and at the Beaches, will never be the same if the Navy's plan for a nuclear carrier and the developers' wish to build a cruise ship terminal there reach fruition. Our local and national politicians who can, if they so desire, examine the impact of these changes on the local residents and small fishing, shrimping and retail enterprises that exist now in Mayport will most likely look the other way while the lobbyists stuff their pockets with favors and/or cash. Surely (as has been rumored) they could not use "eminent domain" as their legal argument, as all of the Mayport residents and business people I have spoken to about this issue are opposed to these changes to their community. Leave Mayport as it is. It's one of the best parts of our history.
Diana Townsend
While we all hate to see historic areas change, it is inevitable that they do. The property on which the Mayport base itself stands was once a privately owned resort that drew movie stars and northern socialites. Few remember this era and its buildings no longer survive, but its story still remains.
And so it goes with the fishing village of Mayport. Those who remember it as it once was and haven't seen it recently may think no change is warranted. But when Mayport's small businesses are failing, schools are threatened with closure due to low attendance and much of the low-income housing near the base has been shuttered due to lack of tenants, it's obvious that an economic boost is needed.
The nuclear carrier is exactly such an economic boost for Mayport and the Beaches. Construction will bring that boost for the next few years, then the carrier itself, its crew members and their families will bring vibrance back to the area.
For those who want to preserve the character of the existing fishing village at Mayport, take lots of pictures and record your stories of it so they may live on in history. The Timucuans who used to inhabit the area could testify to the futility of fighting progress.
Lynn Maria Thompson
The carrier is a good thing for the country and Jacksonville. The cruise terminal is another matter. The terminal will bring few jobs and will destroy the charm and character of that small village along the St. Johns river.
Sensible folk will say it's no more than common sense that a nuclear carrier is a huge positive for Jacksonville while the cruise terminal is just a big zero.
Jim Moore
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Reject lure of imported seafood
Shrimping was once the foundation of Louisiana's fishing industry. Now, the state is struggling to save shrimping, but there is little optimism.
Shrimpers are faced with low prices driven by foreign competition and high fuel costs. The combination left a number of boats docked when the white shrimp season opened this week. The overall number of boats has dwindled because the banks have seized those on which owners have been unable to make payments because of low prices and high fuel costs.
The sad fact is that 90 percent of shrimp consumed in the U.S. is imported. Foreign shrimp caused the average dockside price of $1.45 per pound in 2000 to drop to 94 cents in 2006.
Three years ago, a fishing industry trade association reported that 30 percent to 40 percent of the shrimpers in Louisiana and other coastal states are leaving the industry.
Many communities dependent on the shrimping industry are suffering. The ice plants, fuel docks and processing plants are feeling the pinch.
Ironically, the white shrimp catch off Louisiana's shores has been good recently. The benefits of a good season on the water, however, are negated by low prices and the drastic increase in operating costs.
Louisiana's Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board continues its battle to save the industry.
The board's strategy to open direct channels between shrimpers and restaurants that want high-quality wild shrimp, produced positive results, but only a fraction of the fleet has been able to participate.
The Catfish Institute of the U.S. is spearheading a drive for country-of-origin labels on seafood listed on restaurant menus. The state Legislature rejected such labeling in its last session. It could have been a blessing for all elements of the domestic fishing industry.
In 2004, the Bush administration threw its weight behind the move to impose tariffs on foreign shrimp, targeting China and Vietnam. The administration concluded that frozen and canned warm-water shrimp products had been dumped into the U.S. market at artificially low prices.
Despite the work of the Promotion and Marketing Board and the support of the president, however, the industry is dangerously close to becoming extinct. Foreign shrimp is coming into the U.S. from Thailand, India, Mexico, Ecuador and Indonesia, as well as China and Vietnam.
We as consumers have no control over the cost of fuel or the imposition of tariffs on foreign shrimp. We can, however, demand that the shrimp we purchase in stores or restaurants be domestic.
The demise of the industry which many consider a possibility and others a certainty, would take a toll on the entire state and all its residents. We must do all we can to help solve it.
Shrimpers are faced with low prices driven by foreign competition and high fuel costs. The combination left a number of boats docked when the white shrimp season opened this week. The overall number of boats has dwindled because the banks have seized those on which owners have been unable to make payments because of low prices and high fuel costs.
The sad fact is that 90 percent of shrimp consumed in the U.S. is imported. Foreign shrimp caused the average dockside price of $1.45 per pound in 2000 to drop to 94 cents in 2006.
Three years ago, a fishing industry trade association reported that 30 percent to 40 percent of the shrimpers in Louisiana and other coastal states are leaving the industry.
Many communities dependent on the shrimping industry are suffering. The ice plants, fuel docks and processing plants are feeling the pinch.
Ironically, the white shrimp catch off Louisiana's shores has been good recently. The benefits of a good season on the water, however, are negated by low prices and the drastic increase in operating costs.
Louisiana's Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board continues its battle to save the industry.
The board's strategy to open direct channels between shrimpers and restaurants that want high-quality wild shrimp, produced positive results, but only a fraction of the fleet has been able to participate.
The Catfish Institute of the U.S. is spearheading a drive for country-of-origin labels on seafood listed on restaurant menus. The state Legislature rejected such labeling in its last session. It could have been a blessing for all elements of the domestic fishing industry.
In 2004, the Bush administration threw its weight behind the move to impose tariffs on foreign shrimp, targeting China and Vietnam. The administration concluded that frozen and canned warm-water shrimp products had been dumped into the U.S. market at artificially low prices.
Despite the work of the Promotion and Marketing Board and the support of the president, however, the industry is dangerously close to becoming extinct. Foreign shrimp is coming into the U.S. from Thailand, India, Mexico, Ecuador and Indonesia, as well as China and Vietnam.
We as consumers have no control over the cost of fuel or the imposition of tariffs on foreign shrimp. We can, however, demand that the shrimp we purchase in stores or restaurants be domestic.
The demise of the industry which many consider a possibility and others a certainty, would take a toll on the entire state and all its residents. We must do all we can to help solve it.
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