Smelt Info

Jeremy · 01-25-2001, 05:06 PM

Anybody know if the smelt have shown up in the cowlitz yet? And you can only dip on the weekend right? Also do you have to get a washington license to dip? I havent done it for so long that i cant remember. And does it matter when you go as far as the tide or when they are running can you get them all the time. Thanks for the info

[This message has been edited by Jeremy (edited 01-26-2001).]

Jeremy · 01-26-2001, 08:57 AM

bringing thread back to top

Clamman · 01-26-2001, 09:12 AM

Smelt have not shown up either the Columbia or the Cowlitz in any numbers. Commercial fisherman have had very little success, which would indicate that they are not in the system yet. Give it a couple more weeks (mid-to late Feb) before anyone gets panicky.
No license is needed, 10 pounds per person, and it is open Sat. 6am-10pm through the month of March.

ISG

Barnyard · 01-26-2001, 09:28 AM

There are time they don't show till early March..

jet · 01-26-2001, 10:19 AM

You know we all are freaking!, we all just can not miss this run, sturgeon fishing is just too important to miss the smelt run. It is a matter of life and death. I keep telling my wife, when they are in no matter what is planned we have to cancell and go smelting...She really loves to hear that.
My wife only lets me have 2 shelves in the freezer for bait, she says the rest of the room is for strawberrys and fruit. The smelt run and shad season comes first, first come first serve... right?

Really I have a great wife.

Jet~~~

4u2fish · 01-26-2001, 10:27 AM

MMM smelt flavored rasberries my personal favorite

all Jokes aside I agree smelt is an absolute must have bait for the sturgeon but not the only bait

------------------
AKC H2O-K9

Pilar · 01-26-2001, 10:39 AM

Try anchovies, roll mop, salmon eggs, sand shrimp, or whatever, just not smelt, they suck as bait. JK

The bend is your friend!

Barnyard · 01-26-2001, 10:42 AM

Ya I know what you mean. I can't give em away..

Pilar check your email

jet · 01-26-2001, 10:48 AM

I disagree. A person should use which ever bait is most prevelant in the river at the time you plan to fish. It really makes a difference. During shad season one should not use smelt, when eels die off they really are the killer bait.

When there are no natural runs of bait floating down, smelt will always out produce. Most of the time a guy can make up a little cocktail consisting of many baits they can knock them dead if you use baits that live int he local river sustem. Just the way I see it.

Jet~~~

OR Coast Range · 01-26-2001, 10:54 AM

I've heard a rumor that some people use kittens as sturgeon bait. Never been able to confirm it though.

SailCat · 01-31-2001, 06:11 AM

I believe the bait to which you refer would fall into the category of 'urban myth' and is usually connected with halibut fishing in Alaska.

No one, even in the interest of catching a fish, would be heartless enough to actually use a kitten for bait (the white ones work best).

jkjkjkj ... OK? Don't flame the 'Cat.

~Michael T.