Smelt in the Lewis yet?

[Tacklebuster]

I plan on doing a little fishing out of St. Helens in the morning and was wondering if dragging a smelt net around from my boat near the Lewis river would be worth it. Anyone ever tried it before and if so did you do any good

[bassin]

Yes< I have done it a couple of times. The smelt run had just started and I got my fresh bait there.
The fishing was great at the mouth of about four days. That was a few years ago.
I don't know if there in the area yet this year.

[SET_THE_HOOK]

Tacklebuster,

I'm new to IFISH and just posted my newbie story. The whole story is a result of your excellent contributions to this board. Just in case you didn't see it...

I will be down below Westport Saturday in a 21' Willie guide model, red with 200hp Merc. If you end up down that way please say hi, it would be great to meet you. My nephew and buddy will be with me.

Thanks again and I hope you find those smelt! Question - do you use these for springers too or just for Sturgeon?

[Tacklebuster]

Set_The_Hook- I didn't see your first post but after your reply to mine I looked it up and read it. Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad you guys put some fish in your boat that day. I plan on making an estaury run mid May, if you ever need any advice or tips please feel free to PM me. All the fish you ever want to catch is within a 5 minute run from Hammond, I almost never leave the area. If you are in a shallow spot and are catching flounder, you are in the right place. We had a 17 keeper day last June in 6 feet of water within 1/4 of a mile from the Hammond ramp. We should hook up for a trip this year

Oh yea, almost 9 times out of 10 when you see a boat all alone out in the middle of nowhere in the shallows, they are usually hammering the fish. The group of boats I would stay clear of. Usually those are the flocking sheep that throw hook next to someone else and so on and so forth. Out of a group of ten boats maybe two of them are catching the fish, the others are usually just watching.

[ 02-12-2004, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

[The Overfishin Condition]

Tacklebuster- I read in the Columbian today that some smelt have entered the Lewis. I know this isn't as helpful as an actual report, but at least you know there are some there. Hope this helps, TOC.

[NW JET'N]

Tacklebuster, I hate to do a "me too, me too" but I must. I second what S_T_H said, I am a newbie with this being only my second post. I just posted my story yesterday. I had been a lurker for a long time but decided to join after I read the post you did not so far back. I was miffed that somebody gave you such a hard time. You seem like such a nice guy and have been a ton a help to a lot of us fishers out there. There needs to be more people out there like yourself. If you ever need a ride (boats down or whatever) you can ride with me anytime. Anyhow, bout the smelty, I was on the Lewis on Sunday and didn't get any or mark any either. I know that was a few days ago but they should be here anytime.

[Whalerman]

Hi Tacklebuster,

We dipped on the Lewis this morning behind the Texaco, nothing. No seagulls or seals in the area either. Must still be in the Columbia. If they come in like last year, 5 minutes and your done!

You might do good at the mouth. Good Luck. Please post if you get into them.

[HntnFsh]

Tacklebuster,
No gulls or dippers or anyother evidence for that matter.That was about 5 pm on the way home from work.I come by there tues through fri.First sign of anything I'll be sure to let you know.Least I could do for a contrinbutoe o f your stature.Thanks for all your sharing.
Rick

[LIV2FISH]

Tacklebuster, I have archived almost all of the posts that you have put out in the past month concerning gator fishing. Appreciate the work that you have put in and then shared with everyone on this board. I know that it has helped me to become a better gator fisherman, or at least think about it more. My Ifish hat is off to you, and if you ever want to go fishin' with me, I will make an open seat!!

[Tacklebuster]

Thanks so much for the kind words and nice replies

[surebite77]

Did a power float on the big Lewis today, some smelt all the way up too the golf course seagulls were havin fun, had killer bait and hit all our fish on the plug rod (not even a sniff on bait) one of the clippies had a few smelt in the belly, but not like when the smelt are in thick.

[KingFisher85]

I noticed no birds in woodland yesterday...I'll post tonight if I see any later today.
Released one steelie by the way