Another smelt ???

[Hawg Caller]

O.K. all you smelters, I only see people smelting from the bank, can you use boats, why or why not? Im going smelting for the first time this yr.any help is appreciated.

[glassblower]

I think you do not see cause it not nessasary. The norm used to be (and it has been a few years for me) 2 dipps and you had your limit and were on your way home. So while you were getting the boat into the water your buddy would already have his limit and be sitting in the park having a smoke and beer and eating some chips saying lets get out of here. Them little buggers are good to eat, but there is not to much entertainment value in going after them. Good bait to, but I would rather smoke them up.

[Cosmic Lazy Susan]

Works great from a boat. Real nice if you don't have hip boats or waders.

It can get rather crowded on the bank in some spots.

Dale

[Hawg Caller]

Thanks folks, I hear that the little buggers are good eating, but there just bait for me...maybee I'll get up the nerve to try eating some of the slimy little things.

[Fish Hawg]

When we had our sled; we used it every year. My dad’s friend, use to commercial fish for smelt from a boat. My dad went several times and got a lot of tips. The biggest tip I have is find a spot were the bottom comes up real fast, like a ledge. Anchor up their ad start dipping those spots the smelt will Keg up and every dip your net will be full . You can also free drift run you boat up river and drift back down with your net in the water. Just hold your net straight down; you don’t need to pull it let the boat do the work :smile: you will feel them. Good luck....Ross

[WHO'S BELLS RINGING?]

SMELT DON'T APPEAR TO BE SLIMY, DO THEY? AT LEAST THE ONES I EAT AND FISH WITH ARN'T.

[crittergitter]

From the bank has always been my favorite. Working a long dip net from a boat sounds like alot of extra work to me. I usually try to get on the river just before dark and then dip until the cutoff time if necessary but it usually doesn't take to long to get a limit.

[Fish Hawg]

Holding a net straight down(not pulling it) while the boat drifts down stream. It Takes less effort than off The Bank. [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] It is also more rewarding

[Born to be Wild]

Looks like they got it covered.

It is true that you don't need a boat and the extra time and expense that comes with it but either way works fine.
And as someone stated the bank does get real crowded at times but never prevented me in getting my share.

About 5 year ago or so when they were real slim a boat was advantagious.

Also some of the bank areas are not real friendly to some of the elderly or those that can't get around real well and that is a good scenario to use a boat.

Have fun.
It's a blast!

Dano

PS> If the river gets any higher I will be dipping them from my porch!

[ 01-29-2004, 05:33 PM: Message edited by: Born to be Wild ]