Ft. Lauderdale beach and Dania Beach fishing

Question
Hello,
My name is Tim and i live in the Ft. lauderdale/Davie area.  I love to go surf
fishing on Ft. Lauderdale beach and alot on Dania Beach.  Recently i have been
using shrimp (not live) and I am curious to know the best way to hook a
frozen shrimp to keep from losing it on the cast or a fish just eating the bait
and not taking the hook.  Also, if you have any other bait, rig, lure and fishing
spot suggestions they would be greatly appreciated (although I know you
specialize in the Tampa area).  Thanks very much!
Tim

Answer
This is a very difficult one. Regardless of surf fishing or just fishing in the bay on the bottom or under a float, frozen shrimp tend to soften once they hit the water. Then as you know they seem to come off at the first tug of a fish. One trick I have learned is to attempt to thread the hook through the shrimp. Basically I would start at where the head was and then run the hook all the way down the length of the body and out the tail. However this is just minorly better then just hooking it through the side of the body. One thing that you could try is to dry the shrimp out, the problem with this solution is they become very smelly. I have dried some in the sun but they need to be put somewhere that you are not near until they are dry then put them back in a baggy and in the freezer again until your ready to use them. They do smell horrible after this though. Another thing that I havent tried is thawing them then putting them in salt and then refreezing them. The salt will draw the water out and basically make them harder. I haven't tried this but I have heard it will work. I hope this answer helps and if you try the salt option let me know if it works I just have not taken the time to try it yet but may to see if it does work. It works on cut bait and Sardines so I assume it shoudl work for shrimp.