bigugli Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 Despite the rain we tested one of the ice holes. Results were a little disappointing. We found 4" of ice before the rain started, but the ice was deteriorating quickly with the heavy rains. By tomorrow evening it would not be safe. Smellts are a lot smaller this year compared to last. Even so, managed enough to give the fryer a workout. We will need cold weather before that ice is again good to go.
T Fisher Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 Been thinking of how to catch Smelt through the ice. Due tell how due you?
T Fisher Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 (edited) Been thinking of how to catch Smelt through the ice. Due tell how do you? Edited January 25, 2010 by T Fisher
bigugli Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Posted January 25, 2010 (edited) Been thinking of how to catch Smelt through the ice. Due tell how do you? Small micro tear drops; plain, tipped with maggots, waxies, eyeballs, red and pink yarns. Depending on the day, they range bottom to just below the hole. Today the bottom was where the bite was. Edited January 25, 2010 by bigugli
Leecher Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 Small micro tear drops; plain, tipped with maggots, waxies, eyeballs, red and pink yarns. Depending on the day, they range bottom to just below the whole. Today the bottom was where the bite was. Nice Bruce Question: I'm sure this one was asked before, but how do you cook those?? Do you cook'em hole or clean them?? Never fished for this species. Oh and one more question: what's the limit on those?? Jacques
bigugli Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Posted January 25, 2010 Head removed and gutted rolled in a dry mix or batter. 30 seconds to cook in hot oil. Now if you were getting the big coastal smelts from the maritimes, about a minute to cook. No limit on smelts and can be netted in springtime.
crappieperchhunter Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 A sink o smelts...thats what I like to see The ones you put me on last year where the best I ever tasted. Hopefully the cold that is coming will firm up the ice cause I'm dying for a road trip and a feed.
Sinker Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 Is there a seson on netting smelts? When CPH comes, I want to be his co pilot! S.
bigugli Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Posted January 25, 2010 I hear you Steve. Today was just a teaser, but while I was there the holes were getting wider and wider and the ice softer and softer. Besides i need a few days to get the kitchen ready
pike slayer Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 when times get tough eat your bait!
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 smelt are delicious. i used to net them here but i got sick of cleaning them. you haven't lived until you've cleaned smelt for 3 hours... these days i grab a few dozen from others who go and have a feast once a year.
Ron Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 A sink o smelts...thats what I like to see The ones you put me on last year where the best I ever tasted. Hopefully the cold that is coming will firm up the ice cause I'm dying for a road trip and a feed. Is there a seson on netting smelts? When CPH comes, I want to be his co pilot! S. And we will take my truck.
Sinker Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 And we will take my truck. Suits me just fine
Big Cliff Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 Looks like a good catch Bruce, I'll be down as soon as the ice is safe again.
dave524 Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 They're cannibals, we used to tip our small hooks and tiny jigging spoons with a small piece of an already caught smelt, the eyes worked especially well I've also smoked them, remove the rack from your smoker, thread them on cheap chrome skewers for shish kabobs by the tails and rig up something to hold the skewers horizontally in the smoker. If there is lots of them, there is no better place to take young kids. You'll never wet a line yourself, too busy taking them off the hook and baiting.
bigugli Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Posted January 25, 2010 Got to admit smelting is like being a kid in a candy store. The netting season runs late March to May, not sure of the exact dates.
Thrasher Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 Netting them is a blast!!! do it every year! They run at different times depending on temperature. Last year was the best run I've ever seen. Usually when the in flowing creeks reach 8 deg, start checking around for sign. Catch them lots on the ice, usually accidentally on spreaders, but the odd one on jigging spoons etc while looking for whities and lakers.
ScugogBoy Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 bigugli.....is it possible to mention the Lake you were on?........was it Simcoe/Erie/Lake O?.......all are big areas and just would like a heads up, as they truly are delicious and plentifull.....thanks for any hints.
Hellfish Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 bigugli.....is it possible to mention the Lake you were on?........was it Simcoe/Erie/Lake O?.......all are big areas and just would like a heads up, as they truly are delicious and plentifull.....thanks for any hints. Pm sent, this kind of information should be left to pm's not in the open
pike slayer Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 bahhhh!!! netting smelts is a blast but the aftermath is horrible, hungover cleaning a 1000little bugger for an afternoon is not fun at alllll im just gonna go out get a couple scoops and head home for a meal. if anyone wants to net them contact me this spring they run for about 3 weeks mid april and die out at the beginning of may up here in the sault. just need waders, smelt net, buckets and a light. yippppie!
Dara Posted January 25, 2010 Report Posted January 25, 2010 I can't stand the smell of them other than one feed in the spring time. I caught one in the winter once and couldn't stand to eat any that spring.
bigugli Posted January 25, 2010 Author Report Posted January 25, 2010 bahhhh!!! netting smelts is a blast but the aftermath is horrible, hungover cleaning a 1000little bugger for an afternoon is not fun at alllll im just gonna go out get a couple scoops and head home for a meal. if anyone wants to net them contact me this spring they run for about 3 weeks mid april and die out at the beginning of may up here in the sault. just need waders, smelt net, buckets and a light. yippppie! I remember the spring runs along the Huron shore and the St Mary's. Every available Holsteiner from Sudbury to the Sault would be on crowd control along the shoreline. Used to be some narsty brawls over who got what stretch of shoreline.
Jonny Posted January 26, 2010 Report Posted January 26, 2010 Sharp pair of scissors, snip off the head, snip the belly, strip the entrails, rinse and bag. I've found that the fastest way to clean the tasty little buggers. Dredge in flour, fry crispy brown, grab by the tail and eat. Can't see how anybody that likes fish wouldn't like 'em. This is the first I've ever heard of anyone catching them with hook-and-line though! We net them in the spring and that pretty much satisfies the craving for a year.
Hawg Hunter Posted January 26, 2010 Report Posted January 26, 2010 l sure miss heading over to the big lake at 11pm and dropping a net in for those smelt i always deep fried mine in fish crisp FANTASTIC,if ya want some company some day let me know... lol Hawg Hunter
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