• BY J.R. ORTEGA - JRORTEGA@VICAD.COM
• Originally published June 13, 2009 at 10:35 p.m., updated June 13, 2009 at 10:35 p.m.

• SHRIMPING SEASONS

  Season information for major Texas bays (includes San Antonio Bay)

  Spring open season (May 15-July 15)

  - 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m.

  - 15 pounds / person / day

  - ...

• SHOW ALL »

SHRIMPING SEASONS

Season information for major Texas bays (includes San Antonio Bay)

Spring open season (May 15-July 15)

- 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m.

- 15 pounds / person / day

- No count size restrictions

Fall open season (Aug. 15-Oct. 31)

-30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset

-15 pounds / person / day

-Must count no more than 50 shrimp/pound

Fall Open Season (Nov. 1 - 30)

-30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset

-15 pounds / person / day

-No count size restrictions

Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife

SEADRIFT - The scent of shrimp, barbecue and Louisiana jambalaya swirled Saturday by the San Antonio Bay.

Though patrons and shrimp were biting at the 29th annual Seadrift Shrimpfest, the business of shrimping isn't the same, said Dennis Williams, who was a shrimper for 56 years.

"They're catching a few good shrimp," he said. "There's still a few shrimp. You just really can't make a profit out of it anymore."

The cost of equipment like nets and fuel has increased since Williams stopped shrimping about six years ago.

The overhead cost is almost 15 times as much as what Williams used to pay, he said. Meanwhile, overseas markets exploded, reducing the demand for Gulf shrimp.

"The shrimp price went down from what it was in the '70s," he said. "It's about a third of what we were getting in the '70s."

Last year, shrimp was being sold at 50 cents a pound, he said.

While many of the shrimpers were out on the bay most of the day, Williams was on the bayfront reflecting on his time as a shrimper.

Between 1965 and 1980 was one of the best times to be in the business, he said.

Williams' children were put through college during those years. However, he said that isn't the case today.

"Some are tired of shrimping," he said. "People are just trying to hang in there."

On top of the list adding to the overhead cost is the fluctuating gas prices, he said.

"No profit," he said about how and where shrimping is heading. "That's what's putting it out of business."

Despite shrimping's troubles, Shrimpfest went on without worry for many of the patrons.

Arts and crafts booths, festive foods, games and live music brought life to the town of roughly 1,500 people.

The Seadrift Chamber of Commerce is expecting at least 3,000 visitors this year.

Gabriel Whittaker of Port O'Connor had been walking around the bayfront with his family since 10 a.m.

"It's the best it has been in the past couple of years," said Whittaker, whose 5- and 2-year-olds went to play some games.

Though there is plenty of fun and games for the kids, there is plenty of food, fun and competition for adults as well, he said.

"I like Miss Bayrat," he said, referring to a beauty contest where male contestants crossdress.

For some first-timers like Kaitlyn Marcum, a 9-year-old from Tennessee, there is always at least one good thing about the Texas coast.

"It has beaches," she said, looking out to the water.

Kaitlyn was making her yearly visit with her aunt, Becky Gooden of Seadrift.

"This truly is a community event," Gooden said. "It gives our kids something to do and keeps them off the street."

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