How to Set Up Fishing Lights for Maximum Efficiency For Shrimping

Shrimping can be a highly rewarding activity, especially when you have a strategy. One of the key components of a successful shrimping experience is deploying the fishing light in accordance with a strategic plan. These fishing lights are used to backlight the shrimp, a technique that brings them to the surface. This enables you to see them clearly and net them easily. But simply having fishing lights isn’t enough—you need to set them up correctly to maximize your catch. Not every fishing light can be a shrimping light, but every shrimping light can be a fishing light. You need the right amount of lumens, vertical orientation, a light anchoring system, and depth control to be successful. The MacDaddy Fishing Lights® are Florida’s top-selling lights for shrimping. It was invented for this sport as well as for other genres of night fishing.

Why Fishing Lights Are Important: Shrimping Lights

There are multiple species of shrimp. The common species in Florida are the brown, pink, and white shrimp. All 3 of these species can be caught at night. But the white shrimp species can also be caught by a cast net during the daytime in the Fall. The second point is that the white shrimp can tolerate light. The brown and pink shrimp, the two most desired night species, cannot tolerate light. The Full moon is offensive. How you set your lights will impact how the shrimp or squid respond. Tossing a fishing light into the water without a plan places you at the mercy of luck. Luck cannot be repeated with any form of consistency. Science can be repeated. Deploy your fishing light using the proven light deployment strategies researched and published by Florida’s recreational shrimping expert, Capt. Lee Noga.

Choosing the Right Type of Fishing Lights For Shrimping

Before setting up your shrimping lights, it’s essential to pick the right type. There are two main options to consider:

• LED Lights Single Mode: These are energy-efficient, durable, and provide bright light without using too much power. They are either ON or OFF. Purchase a light that lets you anchor it, set its depth, & float vertically (Up/Down) in the water column, so you can manipulate the shrimp using light-deployment strategies. The MacDaddy Fishing Lights® were innovated to parallel the research published by Capt. Lee Noga. This is an entry-level light built for science deployment strategies, but it lacks some bells and whistles. The top feature for a light is the ability to hunt in stealth mode; this delivers.

• LED Lights Multi-mode: These fishing lights used for shrimping have multiple modes for different functions. They are the toolbox of features. The MacDaddy Smart Light®, which was awarded a utility patent, is the first smart fishing and shrimping light on the market to include an educational program. The modes include 3 to 4 strobes and 4 different types of “steady burn” for shallow or deep water. The ultimate fishing light and shrimping light for target manipulation when used with the science-based strategic light deployment strategies.

Step 1. Location

The first thing to consider when setting up fishing lights for shrimping is where you’re shrimping. Ideally, you’ll want to set up your fishing lights in areas with higher shrimp populations, such as wind-driven or tidal waters. Shrimp during the outgoing falling tide; refer to your local tide charts for the times. In Central Florida, we set our lights in 10-15 feet of water in the intercoastal. If your shrimping is too deep, there is no reason for the shrimp to move up into the upper water column. There are popular structures (old, abandoned bridges) that people swim under and are deeper than 15 feet, requiring 4 to 6 lights.

Best Places to Set Up Fishing Lights For Shrimping

• Near drop-offs where the water deepens
• Edges of hidden sand bars
• Wind-driven bridge areas
• Tidal water rivers (saltwater), to include shallow cuts

Step 2. Positioning Your Fishing Lights For Shrimping

Underwater vs. Above Water

There are two main options when positioning your shrimping lights: underwater vs. above water.

• Underwater Lights: Submerged lights are incredibly effective because they do not deter the shrimp from coming towards your net if deployed properly. These lights need an anchoring system. You want to set your lights away from your boat. You need to set the perfect depth of your light so that the water above it remains unlit. The vertical set of the light creates a circle of light that does not reach the light surface.
• Above Water Lights: Mounted on boats or docks, these lights shine down onto the water. Light-sensitive marine species will dive towards the bottom to avoid the light, depending on its intensity. These types of lighting cannot manipulate the shrimp or encourage larger targets to ascend to the surface for capture.

Step 3. How Many Fishing Lights Should You Use?

The art of marine manipulation using light deployment strategies requires 2 lights. Shrimping success means different things among anglers. Some anglers are happy with 1 light when they are by themselves. For 2-3 people, two lights may be sufficient to net the shrimp. The more lights you deploy, the larger your light field. The larger the light field, the more shrimp you will see in the net. Refer to our YouTube – 2026 “Fix Your Lights In 1 Hour in our Education section of this website.

Suggested Setup for Different Scenarios

• Single Boat Setup: Set your boat horizontal (east/west) with 2 anchors. Deploy 1 – 2 shrimping lights. In tidal water, face South and deploy your lights. You need 2 shrimping lights to manipulate shrimp using light deployment strategies.
• Dock Setup: For deep water, you will need a light set at the proper depth to push them up and towards you. Shrimping by dock light only is not the greatest strategy.

Step 4. Adjusting Light Brightness and Color
Brightness Levels

The brightness of your shrimping lights is crucial. You don’t want lights that are too dim, as they create a small visual field. On the other hand, extremely bright lights can be overkill and may scare off the shrimp. Aim for a balance: most shrimping fishing lights should be around 1800 to 6000 lumens. Note that once the LED light is built, the waterproof housing reduces the lumens by 30-40%. Retailers do not disclose this and market the power of the LED strip before the light is assembled. Remember, fishing lights are offensive to the various marine life that thrive at night rather than in the daytime. How you set the light will determine your success, not the number of lumens the retailer markets.

Light Color Considerations

Popular shrimping fishing lights combine white and green LEDs. Green has been shown to cause less eye fatigue than white. The MacDaddy fishing lights® create the soothing green glow. The magic was adding a lower-lumen white strip in combination to give you more visual depth (included in all models). The MacDaddy Smart Light® offers 7 to 8 modes, including both color and single-color options, half-power, and 3 strobes, providing several advantages. The typical ON/OFF fishing light is just a tool for entry-level options. A multi-mode light gives you a toolbox. Tidal water can be crystal clear or really dirty, so having a toolbox lets you amp up the light or temper it when needed.

Step 5. Timing Is Everything

Timing your shrimping trip with the right moon conditions is essential for success. The desired shrimp species move during the outgoing tide at night, making it the best time to set up your lights. The tide chart is important. The falling tide is the time frame in which you have to net the shrimp. The first hour of incoming tide can be lucrative during the peak and end of the season. The shrimp tend to be smaller.

Best Times for Shrimping

• Dusk: As the sun sets and daylight fades, shrimp become more active, making this an ideal time to set up your lights.
• Night: Opportunity is during the outgoing tide time frames. Short tide is a short night.
• Tide Phases: Plan your trip around high tide or just after the tide has started to recede. The best time to go is at the change of tide (the last of the incoming tide).

Step 6. Securing Your Lights for Safety

Whether you’re using a boat or a dock, it’s crucial to ensure that your lights are securely fastened. It is easy to accidentally catch the shrimp light cord and detach the light from the battery. This could result in the loss of your light. If using a boat, make sure underwater lights are cable-tied to the battery or some object/cleat to keep them from going overboard.

Step 7. Powering Your Fishing Lights

Your shrimping lights will need a reliable power source to stay illuminated throughout your fishing trip. There are a few options to consider:

Battery-Powered Lights

Battery-powered 12V lights are portable and ideal for dock or small-boat setups. Fishing Lights for shrimping with under 6000 lumens (total) can use a 675-crank-amp battery to power 2+ lights.

Higher-lumen lights, like the MacDaddy fishing lights® ULTRA series, require a 1000-crank-amp battery (car battery) to power 2+ lights. These are the 6000-lumen lights pre-built.

Generator-Powered Lights

Generators provide more consistent power and can run multiple lights for extended periods. They are ideal for larger setups but can be noisy, which might disturb the tranquility of fishing. These were popular 20 years ago and were phased out as technology advanced. We do not recommend them.

Step 8: Testing and Adjusting the Setup

Before you begin shrimping, it’s essential to test your light setup. Ensure that the lights are positioned correctly, the light field brightness is balanced, and the power source is reliable. Adjust the placement of the lights if necessary to ensure you’re manipulating as many shrimp as possible. Remember, the lights get brighter as the water levels lower during the outgoing tide. Set your lights as low as possible, but still able to see targets.

Common Adjustments

• If you’re not seeing any shrimp after some time, try setting your lights to a different depth or location.
• If the lights are too bright, set them deeper

Step 9. Using the Right Net for Shrimping

Once your fishing lights are set up and the sun has set, the shrimp will begin moving. Using the right net is just as important as your lighting. A dip net (used at night) or a cast net (used during the day) is typically used for shrimping, depending on water depth and your shrimping location. The best shrimping dip net has a 3/8 inch mesh bag. Bring 4-inch cable ties to cinch up any rips and tears to prevent shrimp from escaping.

Conclusion

Setting up shrimp lights correctly can make all the difference in your night-shrimping adventures. By choosing the right type of fishing lights, positioning them effectively, and adjusting brightness and color, you can create an efficient setup that steers the shrimp right to you. Remember, it’s all about science & strategies—don’t be afraid to adjust your lights or location if needed. Capt Lee Noga has spent her career educating anglers on how to shrimp and consistently be productive. For more detailed information, visit the education section of this website.

Our Store:

Shop – The MacDaddy Fishing Lights Online Store

Video Links:

View 60 Second Demo – MacDaddy Smart Light® ULTRA 8-Modes
View (1 hr) YouTube® Video – Stop Setting Your Lights Wrong

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