Ghost Shrimp Pumping System. How to Find and Catch Ghost Shrimp
February 2nd, 2026
February is “Prep Month” at Panhandle Salt.
We still get those random warm days where we can sneak out and chase big fish, but for us, this short month before March is also when we reset for the season.
When the spring run hits, there’s no time to be digging around for gear, spooling reels, or tying rigs. February is when we handle all of that.
Here’s how we use this month—and how you can, too.
Tune-Up Time: Reels, Rigs, and Gear
February is when we go through every piece of gear and make sure it’s ready for the boom:
*Re-spool all reels: Old braid and mono get stripped, and fresh line goes on. If you had a rough fall or winter season, this is non-negotiable.
*Pre-tie dozens of rigs: Pompano, whiting, drum, and “Tough Bite” setups. We want a pile of rigs ready so when spring hits, we’re fishing—not sitting on the couch tying.
*Clean and grease components: Handles, drag knobs, bail arms, reel seats, rod guides—everything gets wiped down, checked, and greased where it matters.
*Declutter and inspect: We go through boxes, buckets, and bags and pull out anything rusty, worn down, or sketchy. Better to find it now than when you’re hooked up.
February is a great month to get a system in place so that once March rolls around, you’re ready to step on the gas.
February Is Ghost Shrimp Month
February is also one of the best times to hunt and prep ghost shrimp for the spring run. When you’ve got some downtime and decent weather, spend it scouting your local shorelines and looking for those magic patches of sand that hold them.
When to Look
From what we’ve seen lately, the best times have been:
*Low tide with little to no wind
*A few days before and after the new moon
*Neap tides can be great—lots of sand exposed and slower water
You want plenty of exposed sand and decent visibility. Wind has made it tough a few mornings, but when it calms down you can pump your heart out.
Pay special attention to points and slight bends in the beach. These spots usually have shallower water and subtle structure—perfect for ghost shrimp.
Keep an eye on your favorite fishing calendar or tide app and plan some February “exploration days” just for finding shrimp.
How We Preserve Ghost Shrimp
We’ve tried a lot of different ways to save ghost shrimp, and this is the method that has worked best for us.
1. Make a saturated brine solution
Mix salt and water in a pot and bring it up to where the water won’t hold any more salt (saturated brine).
Let that brine cool completely.
2. Soak the ghost shrimp
Once the brine is cool, soak your shrimp for about 20 minutes.
3. Dry and jar them
Pull the shrimp out of the brine and dry them really well.
Place the dried shrimp into an empty jar—no liquid.
4. Freeze them
Store the jar in the freezer with no liquid.
On fishing day, just pull out what you need and head to the beach.
For us, this has been the most effective way to preserve ghost shrimp and keep them usable for surf fishing. And believe me—we’ve tried just about everything.
Building a Simple Ghost Shrimp Sifter
If you’re going to pump ghost shrimp, a good sifter is worth its weight in gold. You can build a solid one with just a few items from the hardware and dollar store.
What You’ll Need
*4 PVC elbows – 3/4″
*6 feet of 3/4″ PVC pipe – cut into four 1.5-foot pieces
*1 piece of 1/4″ mesh – enough to cover the frame (buy a small roll; use the extra in your garden to keep critters off plants)
*2 pool noodles – from the dollar store
*Zip ties
*Rope – to tie to one corner and make a foot loop
How to Build It
1. Build the frame: Use the four 1.5′ PVC pieces and the four elbows to make a rectangle or square frame.
2. Attach the mesh: Cut the 1/4″ mesh to fit the frame.
Lay it over the frame and zip tie it on tight.
3. Add flotation
Cut the pool noodles to fit the sides of the frame.
Slice each piece down the middle so it can wrap over the PVC.
Slip them on and zip tie them in place. This keeps your sifter floating and easy to handle.
4. Add a foot loop
Tie a piece of rope to one corner and make a loop big enough for your foot.
On the beach, you can slide your foot through the loop so the sifter stays right beside you while you pump.
Don’t Skimp on the Pump
Last piece of the puzzle: buy a good ghost shrimp pump.
*Expect to spend around $100 for a solid one. In my opinion, it’s worth it.
*There are some PVC-style pumps made by Brunken Manufacturing that run around $60 and are decent options as well.
Grab a small bucket, your pump, and your sifter, and you’re in business: Pump shrimp → dump into sifter → repeat → take your catch home and start the brine process.
Don’t Waste February
Don’t let February just slide by. Use this month to:
*Prep your gear
*Dial in your rigs
*Scout ghost shrimp spots
*Build or upgrade your shrimp setup
*Stock the freezer and be ready for the spring pompano push
If you want help getting tuned up, we’d love to be part of your February prep.
*We offer surf fishing lessons and charters year-round in Perdido Key and Pensacola.
*We run a fully stocked surf fishing shop at the entrance of Johnson Beach, with rods, reels, rigs, bait, and all the gear you need for our local waters.
Come see us, ask questions, and let’s get you ready now—so when March hits, you’re not playing catch-up.
