How to Cure Bait Shrimp

Obtain large shrimp that have had their heads removed. The larger the shrimp, the easier it is to cure and the least likely it is to disintegrate or fall apart while fishing. Larger shrimp will lower your chances of accidentally catching a fish that is too small. Typically, anglers choose raw, non-frozen jumbo shrimp from the supermarket or refrigerated shrimp from a bait shop.

Cure the bait shrimp in your microwave. Cut the shrimp into half-inch pieces, and microwave on high for one to two minutes, or until the shrimp edges start to turn orange. This is the fastest method of curing for bait shrimp, and it helps solidify and firm the flesh to make it easier to fish.

Use brine curing, a more complex curing method that many anglers choose because it increases the shrimps' scent,, thus potentially attracting more fish. Prepare the shrimp by cutting the raw shrimp into half-inch pieces.

Pour half an inch of table salt into the bottom of the mayonnaise jar. Empty some shrimp peices into the jar, a single-layer thick. Cover with another half-inch of table salt, and add second layer of shrimp. Repeat until the jar is full.

Let the shrimp sit in your refrigerator for 14 days. This intensifies the scent of the shrimp while the brine cures the flesh, making the shrimp tougher and firmer so that it stays on your fishing hook. Remove shrimp pieces as needed, and place them in small plastic bags to take on your next fishing adventure.

Consider using a bait sauce or scent solution, whether you cured your shrimp with salt or in a microwave. Examples include Pro-Cure's bait scents and Tackle Nation's bait sauce, which you can spoon over your cured shrimp to further increase its scent.