Shrimp Pot Setup Guide: How to Rig a Spot Shrimp Pot in Washington

Spot shrimp potting is one of the most rewarding shellfish activities in Washington, but the deep water (250–300 feet) and the shrimp's sensitivity to pot movement require a more precise setup than crab potting. Too much flotation and the pot bounces with wave action, sending shrimp back out. Too little weight and the pot drifts. Here's how to rig it correctly.

The Complete Shrimp Pot Setup

Buoys — Less is More

Yellow buoys are required in Washington State for spot shrimp pots. Unlike crab pot buoys, use the minimum amount of flotation needed to mark the pot. Too many floats creates drag that makes the pot bounce with wave action — and shrimp that have entered the pot will leave if it moves around.

Use 2–3 smaller oval floats rather than one large buoy. The goal is just enough flotation to keep the line visible at the surface, not to make the pot easy to spot from a distance.

Connect your buoy cluster with 6–10 feet of regular rope before transitioning to your main leaded line. This short section allows easy handling at the surface without the stiffness of the leaded rope.

Quick Link Oval

Use a 5/16 inch quick link oval (also called a quick-connect link) between the buoy rope and your main leaded line. This allows fast connection and disconnection at the surface and is stronger than a snap swivel under load.

Main Line — Leaded Rope

Use 400 feet of 5/16 inch leaded rope as your main line. Leaded rope sinks, which is critical — floating line creates a loop at depth that drags the pot off position with current. The lead core keeps the line close to vertical between the surface and the pot.

Why 400 feet for 250–300 foot depths? The extra line accounts for: - Tidal variation (water depth changes throughout the day) - Current drift between surface and bottom - Safe retrieval slack

Second Quick Link at the Pot

Attach a second 5/16 inch quick link oval at the bottom end of the leaded rope, connecting to the pot harness. This allows the pot to be quickly swapped or removed without cutting line.

The Shrimp Pot

Use a cylindrical wire shrimp pot weighing at least 30 lbs total. The weight keeps the pot planted on the bottom in deep-water current. Add ballast as needed — lead weights attached to the bottom ring — until the pot hits the 30 lb threshold.

Folding anchor: Add a 1.5 lb folding anchor attached to the pot frame. This gives the pot extra security staying in one place on the bottom. The anchor prevents the pot from walking into deeper water on sloping bottom — a common cause of lost pots.

Bait for Spot Shrimp

Spot shrimp are attracted to strong, oily scents. Best options:

• Ace of Baits Prawn Oil / Pro Cure Shrimp Oil — soak a sponge or bait pad, place inside the pot
• Friskies Ocean Whitefish w/ Tuna (canned cat food) — punch holes in the can and place inside the pot
• Canned Mackerel — strong scent, works well in a perforated bait container
• Shrimp/Prawn Pellets — commercial pellet bait formulated for spot shrimp, widely available at coastal tackle shops

Use a combination — a perforated can of oil-packed fish plus a commercial scent oil gives both immediate attraction and sustained scent release over the soak.

Soak Time and Retrieval

Standard soak time for spot shrimp is 1.5–3 hours. Longer soaks risk shrimp escaping through the entrance funnels if the pot shifts. Overnight soaks are not recommended — shrimp are highly mobile and will leave if conditions change.

Use an electric pot hauler to retrieve from 250–300 feet. Hand-hauling 400 feet of leaded rope with a 30 lb pot is extremely fatiguing and risks dropping the pot. A rail-mounted hauler rated for your pot weight is essential equipment for serious shrimping.

As the pot surfaces, tip the contents directly into a large cooler — spot shrimp die quickly out of cold water. Do not submerge live shrimp in fresh water. Use ice or saltwater ice only.

Marking Your Buoy

Mark your buoys with your full name, address, and phone number as required by WDFW. Shrimp pot theft is a real issue during the opener — a clearly marked pot with your contact information is easier to recover if moved and provides legal documentation of ownership.

Regulations

Spot shrimp seasons are announced annually by WDFW, typically in March or April, with openings by marine area on specific dates. The limit is typically 80 spot shrimp per person per day. Verify current rules before your trip as seasons and limits change.

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Current spot shrimp season dates and marine area rules are at WDFW's shellfishing regulations page. Always check before your trip — seasons open and close quickly.