Hey mate.

Thanks for your question.  Its funny when I used to talk to 'dippers' some would make fun of us trappers like it is mindless shrimping and there isnt much to know about it.  Now that I have done both 'dipping' and 'trapping' I think both have their share of difficulty.  Last summer, I had a lot of time on my hands (being out of school) and went shrimping off the 528 bridge (which is actually CAPE CANAVERAL not Melbourne) 3-4 nights a week.  I averaged 2-3 gallons a night most of the shrimp being over 6" long.  This body of water is the Banana River, and because we have the locks, ALL the shrimp activity is wind driven current. 

As far as this season goes, dipping has been so productive in Oak Hill and Edgewater, the typical mobs of trappers have not raised their heads yet on the bridges.  That isnt saying there arnt shrimp there, just that the other areas are so productive people would rather be on a boat for 5 hours instead of a seawall.  Good news is I have 3 buddies that dont own boats and make the 45 mins run from Orlando all summer long to shrimp the seawalls on the 528 bridge.

Couple things to note on the seawall shrimping off the 528 bridges:

I.  There is a smaller bridge closer to the west we call this the 528 Relief Bridge

II.  The larger/taller bridge we call the 528 BIG bridge

III.  I never go shrimping if the wind is less than 10 mph in any direction.  These nights are bad for bugs/skeeters and they are bad for shrimping

IV.  I never want to be on a side of the bridge where the wind is coming directly at me.  (i.e. if the forecast says coming out of the NE wind at 14mph I dont want to be on the NE side of the bridge)  This causes many problems with debris, seaweed, etc.
      A.  Actually the seaweed when its thick like this acts as a bridge/walkway out of your traps for the shrimp to hop/crawl right out of them.  So you actually lose shrimp in heavy weedy environments.
      B.  Jellyfish is another obstacle if the wind is in your face, shrimp dont like jellyfish and will not gather school in a flow when they are thick or where they are moving

V.  Some of my best box trap spots are in the shallows.  Especially on the north side of the 528 big bridge.  Every so often they open the locks to let a boater thru and this short methodic movement spurs a good half hour of shrimping.  Somethimes the best part of the night. 

VI.  The shallows are also good as you are aware shrimp traps work by the shrimp crawling / swimming deep into the trap.  Well if the deeper the water you are in, the more area the shrimp has to swim over your trap.  This is another reason the heat of the summer is better for shrimping.  The shrimp dive and crawl on the bottom.  The water is cooler down there.  Thats when all the dippers hang up their lights and nets and us trappers keep getting shrimp.   This season has had some record breaking phenomenons of cold so this will be a trial and error summer on activity.  I cant predict when the seawalls will turn on, but when they do, you can take it to the bank it will be good for a couple months.

VII.  If all the good spots in the shallows are taken, and you must use traps in deep deep water and you find yourself missing shrimp you can stack your traps 2 high.  This has proven most effective but you want to test them outside of water to make sure they are laying flush against each other.  Any of the slightest space and the shrimp will miss your traps and crawl thru the opening.

VIII.  Wind is good (as long as its not in your face), always bring mosquito repellant, bring food and plenty of water, bring a chair, I will sometimes bring my coleman stove and eat shrimp as they are coming out of the traps.  Ketchup and horsey sauce from Arbys BBQ makes a good cocktail sauce. 

I hope some of these tips help out.  I have not shrimped the seawalls this season but if last summer was a lesson it may not be its hottest until  the weather is at ITS HOTTEST.  We need the shrimp to dive to the very bottom for our traps to be effective and right now they are cruising on teh top like jetskiiers.  As I hear reports, word of mouth, etc. I will update this forum.

Just to be clear the area I trap is CAPE CANAVERAL and not the Melbourne area.  528 bridges have lots of room and generally friendly people.  Just for fun one of the things I have personally noticed.  For some reason the drunks tend to congregate on the North side of the big bridge.  As far as the relief bridge goes, generally as a rule I see more friendly people, less attitudes.  These are things you will learn as you go but as a rule as long as you are considerate, try not to move your traps within 6-8ft of someone else traps, and dont mess with others traps I get along great with most people. 

I will add data in new posts as I get it.  I have a few friends trying the bridges this coming weekend so I will let you know how they do.

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Not to confuse folks more but there are two basic standard types of shrimp traps.  There  is the T-trap (Tee).  It has a long wide entry zone and the shrimp are held neatly in a little trap area in one edge of the trap.  Held up sideways these are in the shape of a T.  These traps are great if you drive a compact or smaller car as they do not take up much space. 

The kind of traps I prefer are the standard long box traps.  My traps have an entry field all the way up and down the trap.  The resovoir for the shrimp is the entire bottom of the trap.  I have found these traps were better in weedy situations.  I will try and attach some pictures of these traps. 

Also to note.  The T style trap has basically a lot less wire.  Making the trap a lot lighter.  For these traps it is highly recommended you attach a 4 oz sinker or so in the base of the trap so it sits level for you and does not drift with the currents. 

The standard long box traps (with 2 sides) are wider and balance better on the bottom.  REMEMBER:  if your trap is not sitting flush on the bottom of the seafloor shrimp will crawl right under your trap.  They are walking on the bottom in the summer.  That is why trappers do so good.

I will try and find pictures of these traps and attach to this post. 

Typically T traps will be cheaper.  Long box traps are a little more money cause they take longer to make and have more wire on them.  Both are good.  I have seen guys with T traps outshrimp me (PETE - NIGHTOWL) uses T traps for example. 

My traps were built in the 70s by a relative and still work great.  They are big and bulky and I like them that way.

Another note:  The current regulations allow you a lot of freedom on the way your trap lays for example should you choose to make your own traps.

These are the only guidlines:   3' x 2' x 1'   or if you prefer 3' x 1' x 2'  or how bout 2' x 3' x 1'   :O)  Get the picture???

So the trap can be smaller than those dimensions but not bigger than those.  Also I think the current shrimp traps allowed (PER ANGLER) at any given time in the water is 4.

Ill try to come up with some pictures to help my explanations....