Localy, We are paying 4.50 / # for river shrimp that are feshenough that if you are there early a few will still be flipping around.
retailers will charge whatever you are wiling to pay and while many on here seem to not realy care what the cost is, there are those who have or are learning how to bring the cost down by applying some extra effort.
Some things to think about for those who are local,
Shrimp are running now, Shrimp are running heavy, Fuel prices are down from the last 2 years and a castnet costs about $30.
The closer you get to the sea the higher the price for bait
If you continue to buy bait at the same place at higher prices then they will continue to raise the price.
When the shrimp are not running localy then you only think your buying it fresh unless you are buying it live.
The only ones making any money on the out of season shrimp, be it dead or live, are the importers so realy not much help to local economy.