Smelt for pike

[cps420us]

I read alot about using frozen smelt for catching pike. Has anyone had any luck using them on metro lakes, or is it mainly for northern MN lakes?

[Huntin&Fishin]

Im wondering the same, and has any one tried freezing shiners?

[deadgoose]

I have used smelt for pike for 25 years. If I am targeting only pike, I will run one tip with a smelt and the other with live bait. In my experiences, you will have much more action with live bait, but smelt ALLWAYS have produced bigger fish. Unfortunatly, this year the MN DNR passed regulation that states that smelt used as bait must come from a certified processor and you must have on hand documentation of such. Thus far I know of only one baitshop in the metro area that is carrying the certified smelt.

As far as freezing other species, I wouldnt bother. We have tried brining and freezing shiners and suckers with limited success. The key to the smelt is they're really oily and they are stinky! Good luck on the ice.

[reinhard1]

vados baits in spring lake park will sell fresh frozen smelt by the end of this week. these have been ok'd by the dnr. good luck.

[Zelmsdawg]

Deadgoose,

Would you mind sharing what baitshop that is?

Thanks,

Zelmsdawg

[pulleye16]

Wonder also where you guys are getting smelt /cisco here in the cities?

[Steve Foss]

Why not just wait a day or two and buy them from Vados? I'd rather fish with unprocessed/untreated smelt than the processed ones. Frozen and thawed smelt don't hold together very well on the hook in the first place, and my guess is that the processed/treated and frozen ones would be worse yet when thawed. I've found that, with ciscos, which are generally very firm and good on the hook after thawing, the processed ones are mushier.

Just what I'd do.

[pulleye16]

Why not just wait a day or two and buy them from Vados? I'd rather fish with unprocessed/untreated smelt than the processed ones. Frozen and thawed smelt don't hold together very well on the hook in the first place, and my guess is that the processed/treated and frozen ones would be worse yet when thawed. I've found that, with ciscos, which are generally very firm and good on the hook after thawing, the processed ones are mushier.

Just what I'd do.

I'd love to but I live south metro and do alot of fish even further south. Vados is a hour drive out of my way and I can't find ANYONE that sells ciscos...I'll make the drive if need be but some other options would be helpfull. I've called a few places that use to sell those baits but no longer do.

I JUST WANT SOME CISCO!!!!!!

I found a place that will sell herring for $2.99 /lb (frozen) so pending on how small they are I may have to give that a try.

I finally gotten into this dead bait fishing but now no one will carry them cause of these new laws.

[matthothand]

Fish Lake Bait in Harris is a licensed smelt dealer. Vados is not selling fresh frozen smelt for use as bait. The new rule says smelt must be preserved atleast one of three specific ways and be accompanied by a batch/lot number from a certified processor. I haven't heard of any exceptions so if vados is doing this legally then it's not just fresh frozen. If I'm wrong please explain. Also, no smelt from lake superior can be used as bait.

[Steve Foss]

Vados is not selling fresh frozen smelt for use as bait. The new rule says smelt must be preserved atleast one of three specific ways and be accompanied by a batch/lot number from a certified processor. I haven't heard of any exceptions so if vados is doing this legally then it's not just fresh frozen. If I'm wrong please explain. Also, no smelt from lake superior can be used as bait.

[deadgoose]

Sorry for the late response guys, as others have mentioned, Vados bait is the only shop intown that I know of that is selling the processed smelt.

[pulleye16]

Good deal FOSS and thanks for the tons of info here...I'm looking at Baltic herring as they are generally smaller then the atlantic or pacific.

p.s. I hope they get rid of these stupid advertisments on these threads!