Whole Smelt or 1/2 Smelt for Sturgeon?

[Sandybar]

Okay Guys I've beem told by an old salt that you should not use a whole smelt if they are over 8" in length, rather you should cut them in half. Its is said that whole smelt are to big to get in the mouth?

What are you guys using?

Thanks
Sandybar

[WaterDog]

Depending on the size of the bait, I use half. I like the tail half better because it lays on the bottom better but it really doesnt matter. I've caught keepers on heads and tails. At Astoria I sometimes use whole baits since the fish are typically bigger. If you go to your local grocery store you can sometimes find smelt (not Columbia river smelt) and they seem to work fine. They are smaller so use the whole thing and they are cheap.

Don't forget to use scent and if things get slow stomp on the bait . Seems to help if the guts are hanging out! Good luck.

edit: Didnt notice your location at first. Go to Cost Cutter here in Mac and they usually have some of those cheapy smelt.
------------------
EAT, SLEEP, FISH!

[This message has been edited by WaterDog (edited 11-15-2000).]

[Smj]

A couple more tips, Inject the scent with a needle so it leaks out slowly. I also save any and all bait pieces from the days previous baitings and cut a little piece and stick it on the hook, leaving the point exposed. I belive the little piece comes off the hook quick and keeps the fish interested in the bait.
Sometimes when the water is dirty I'll fillet the smelt and wrap it on the hook with thread.---Smj

[ryan fish]

I always used a whole smelt but used garlic salt on it Oh how they like that.

Trust me, they don't have the eyesight to
look before they bite. When smelt became
rare and expensive, caught just as many
tying on just a piece with strechy thread,
combined with either shrimp, worms or
even just a piece of smelt. Have caught
7 fish on the same piece. One rip with
the whole smelt and it's gone anyway.

[buzzerbaby]

I fish this one spot on the columbia and we get 5-1 ratio on half smelt with majority caught on the head section. I agree with waterdog though when he says to stomp on 'em, but we fish for these fish from our float tubes so that wouldn't work for me, although I did just buy a sled but its having the main motor rebuilt.

[HOGTIDE]

You are fishin sturgeon from a float tube???
My gosh..if you hook up with a big cruiser, he'll inhale the rod, waders, tube and you!!!
Sounds sporting though. Kinda like hunting dangerous game.

Oh ya, We use whole shad at the Jurassic hole, out of Dodson. Legal fish seem to do just fine getting those into their tube.

[This message has been edited by HOGTIDE (edited 11-16-2000).]

[buzzerbaby]

we've never got a keeper all the way to the tubes. we tie up to some pillars near Kalama and only use 12 lb test so as not to be pulled around too much. Hooked 2 big fish so far but around the pillars they went. Hopefully my sled I bought will be out of the shop soon and I can retire the tube.