This site has been built for seasoned and beginning recreational shrimpers of all ages as well as anyone who shares an interest in recreational shrimping or the great outdoors.
It is our goal to be the definitive source for recreational shrimping related information for shrimpers within the State of Florida and across the United States. We hope to provide recreational shrimpers with the information, advice, tricks and tools they need to enjoy sport shrimping wherever they can be found.
We seek to achieve these aims, when possible, by:
Providing original recreational shrimping articles and content.
Identifying and explaining shrimping methods' advantages and disadvantages
Encouraging a knowledgeable community of recreational shrimpers
Empowering shrimpers with the tools and information they need
Identifying optimum conditions and locations using simple yet effective technology
Discussing legal best practices and safety information
Highlighting recreational shrimping media coverage and research
Sharing recipes and preparation tips for those bugs we have all come to know and love!
Unless otherwise noted, all information on this site is free of charge. Funds earned from the sale of our Ozello Shrimper recreational shrimping equipment, tournament entries and related merchandise go towards paying for this site.
All recreational shrimping equipment that is sold through our store is handmade and top of the line; made with care using high quality materials by people who actually use it. It would not be unheard of to find one of us alongside you out on the grass flats during high season foraging for our winter scampi!
Our Ozello Shrimper and related equipment have undergone decades of innovation, modification and improvements and we are very proud of them. It is the reason this site exists and the reason we have decided to share our knowledge with you. If you want to support our activities and purchase a great product, please patronize our store.
We look forward to providing high quality information to each of you and hope to hear your stories and shrimping experiences in the future.
We are very proud of our equipment and can sing its' praises until the sun rises after a long night of shrimping but, many times it really takes the words of others to portray just how good our invention and craftmanship really is. So, we have established this page to share some of the stories we have heard about just how good Ozello Shrimper equipment really is. These testimonials were collected from emails, our forum and conversations with our customers.
Forum Member Klipp:
Before:
"We were a couple dip netters you talked to last night as you guys were working your way back into shore. I was amazed at the amount of shrimp you had in the same time we were out there. I realized its due to shrimp i was loosing or missing due to trying net them. It was great talking to you last night and checking out the Ozello Shrimper and the first thing i did this morning was place an order for one, hopefully to pick up today and try it out tonight. "
"Also, I was pretty surprised to see how, what I would have thought to be a dull burned out halogen light and my amazing super white LED thinking the whiter the brighter the better... But obviously thats not the case..."
After:
"I have to say, this thing works outstanding. Like most I've been using a dip net, and doing pretty good but missing 1 out of 5-8 or so and even more sometimes. I bought mine Sat morning after talking to Richard Fri night and it is worth every cent put into it. I didnt lose a single shrimp that I went after last night, I was able to pull them from deep water, shallow water, on top of grass, under the grass, it didnt matter... There is no escaping this trap. Not only was I impressed with its simple mechanics but I didnt have to waste time to bend down, get wet, handle shrimp, fish it out of the dip net among the other 3lbs of by-catch in the net, not only all that but it leaves the flats unharmed and intact (it's best feature). Its super simple and highly effective, and after a few minutes I was able to figure out how to do it one handed while holding a cold beer "
Sean McClean A.K.A. Forum Member SeanSoClean:
"Went out last night and I have been fortunate enough to be invited out with Bob, Don Kelly, Richard and Bill Martin. They let me use an Ozello Shrimper and taught me how to use it and needless to say, I am hooked. If there are any left I will be purchasing one tonight .I can truly say that I havn't had this much fun in a long time. Thanks guys. "...they made me a beliver outta me with Mr. Kellys Shrimp trapper!... So for all those guys out there using nets spend the money, and start catchin more shrimp!... the lights you guys have are frreegin awesome!.. Their like walkin around with a sun beam on your head!... You can see shrimp from like 50 feet away!... WOW"
Forum Member MackeralSnatcher:
"Don, since meeting you and buying my first shrimper about 4 or 5 seasons ago I have gone out of my way to try and teach people about shrimping. You might be surprised by the number that said..."I didn't know we could catch shrimp right here" That sir is thanks to you and now these people will pass it on to others as you have tried to do. THANK YOU!!"
Forum Member Russfer:
"Don, 2 years ago I bought my shrimper from you and it was one of the best purchases I ever made. The time that you spent with me, showing me your workshop and your very first Ozello Shrimper made me understand your passion and love for not only this sport but your product."
These are just a small sample of the many things we have heard about how good our equipment is compared to the alternatives. Do you have a story to share about your experiences with Ozello Shrimper? If so, send us a message at
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and we may select it for inclusion on this page. Feel free to include any photos you think might compliment the story and we may opt to include them as well. Pictures of your catch compared to someone not using an Ozello Shrimper or photos of your family enjoying shrimping are most appreciated.
The Ozello Shrimper was invented by Don Kelly, a.k.a. "Kelly" over 30 years ago in Ozello, Florida.
Oftentimes, while night fishing for snook, Don would see the bright orange reflection of shrimp eyes floating through the channels or along the many grass flats of Ozello. Don immediately recognized that these shrimp could be caught and eaten. Never one to pass up a free meal, Don decided to catch the shrimp for his dinner table. Initially, Don ventured out to catch shrimp much like everyone else. He grabbed a small dip net and tried to scoop them all up as fast as he could. With a sore back, few shrimp and a high shrimp mortality rate, Don knew there had to be an easier way of catching shrimp. An inventor at heart, Don turned his motivation for a cheap shrimp dinner into the original Ozello Shrimper.
Don set out to make a better dip net and extended the length to more than six feet in length. He also started dragging a bucket behind him to keep the shrimp alive. Still, he wasn't satisfied. A lot of the shrimp were jumping out of the dip net and the bucket. Plus, the net made a heck of a mess in the mud and tore up the grass flats. So, Don decided to develop a rigid metal cage with a "no-escape" chamber to prevent the shrimp from jumping out and he created a inward sloping lid for his bucket to keep his catch all the way home. The flats fared much better with such a nimble tool. It was a scalpel compared to a dip nets' broad sword.
"
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from you and it was one of the best purchases I ever made. The time that you spent with me, showing me your workshop and your very first Ozello Shrimper made me understand your passion and love for not only this sport but your product." 
