bigugli Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Past couple of years a few of us get together to catch some smelts on the ice. So Big Cliff and Crappieperchhunter made the annual pilgrimage down to Niagara to get together with RobD and myself on the ice. The bite was steady, but the smelts haven't come in in huge numbers yet. The plus side is that they are a little larger this year. Besides Cliff didn't want to be cleaning 700 smelts like last year. That really gets tiring We were so busy having fun we all forgot to take pics of the day. Our final results. 200 plus for eating. RobD was keeping his for salted pike baits. It was nice to see such good friends once again. Hopefully we meet again at the month's end.
Leecher Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Right on Bruce Sounds like fun Thanks for sharing Jacques
Joey Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Sound like you had a great time with some great people. I haven't smelted since I was a kid, brings back great memories Joey
mercman Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 I thought something SMELT fishy Reminds me of the year i went to Ste Anne de la Parade to fish poisson de Chenaux(Tommy Cod) They have a whole city on the ice there, including restaurants and tackle stores.We musta caugh 1000 of the little buggers.Took 4 hours for 3 of us to clean em. http://www.ouellette001.com/vivre/028vivre.htm Looks like you guys had great fun. Thanks for sharing
vinnimon Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 (edited) Good going bruce and gang And Edited February 6, 2011 by vinnimon
Fishnwire Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 I've netted them in the open creeks but how do you catch them through the ice? One at a time with a rod and reel?
solopaddler Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Great stuff. I've got to get the kids over there this winter.
bigugli Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Posted February 6, 2011 I've netted them in the open creeks but how do you catch them through the ice? One at a time with a rod and reel? You got it. When hungry they'll swim right up the hole to get your bait.
crappieperchhunter Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Thx again for a great day Bruce. The annual pilgrimage by Cliff and I is something we both look forward to. The "Fish TV" is addictive. Ended up with 235. 492 last year...but almost as much meat this year...so the size was much better Thx also for the jars of goodies. Had some of the dill pickles...but an emergency visit to the grocery store tomorrow to secure some nacho chips for the salsa is in order. My second full day on the ice this winter in Cliff's hut...something I could get used too. And I got to Christen my new 8 inch manual LAZER auger. Man they are WAY more work then the 5 inch I use for perchin All in all a fantastic day. I for one will carry on this annual road trip for as long as you can tolerate us.
crappieperchhunter Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 I need some of those for spring pike! Funny...that is what one of the guys was saving some for
BillM Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Funny...that is what one of the guys was saving some for Smart guy! lol. My oldman and I used to fish for them at Port Colbourne when we lived in St.Catharines.
Big Cliff Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Once again, a wonderful day with exceptional friends. I would have posted last night but by the time I got home, got the smelts cleaned and bagged and in the freezer I was done for the day. (A 2:00 am day start will do that to me.) Steve, thank you so much for doing most of the driving, as always I really enjoyed the time we spent solving the problems of the world. Bruce once again, thank you for your company and the goddies the fishing is always fun but the company is what keeps me coming back. I am already looking forward to your visit this summer. We'll have to plan a mini G2G. Steve and I talked about it on the way home and I think that next year we are going to make it an over nighter. I am starting to find that 7+ hours on the road makes for a very long day of fishing.
crappieperchhunter Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Steve and I talked about it on the way home and I think that next year we are going to make it an over nighter. I am starting to find that 7+ hours on the road makes for a very long day of fishing. Like I said Cliff...I'm fine with an overnighter...as long as you stay on your side of the bed...and you don't make fun of my pink bunny rabbit bedroom slippers
Roy Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Sounds like a good time! Those smelts look edible even raw. A nice clean looking fish and what a super meal they make. Thanks for posting. Like I said Cliff...I'm fine with an overnighter...as long as you stay on your side of the bed...and you don't make fun of my pink bunny rabbit bedroom slippers Cliff won't mention your bunny rabbit slippers if you don't mention his Roy Rogers jammies.
bigugli Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Posted February 6, 2011 THe back sure is stiff after looking down the FishTV hole for 6 hours. Neat to watch the little buggers taking up the bait. You 2 chose a good time to skedaddle. The snow got a lot heavier later on, especially along the lake.
bigugli Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Posted February 6, 2011 (edited) Great stuff. I've got to get the kids over there this winter. Pick a nice sunny afternoon for 2-3 hrs tops. They are a little more active later in the day. Edited February 6, 2011 by bigugli
Rod Caster Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 Very interesting ...never heard of guys targetting smelt on the ice. thanks for sharing
Scott S Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 That's a awsome catch fellas. What do you use for bait?? I assume you need small hooks and light line. Scooter
bigugli Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Posted February 6, 2011 That's a awsome catch fellas. What do you use for bait?? I assume you need small hooks and light line. Scooter Maggots, red yarn, eye balls, mimmow heads.
lew Posted February 6, 2011 Report Posted February 6, 2011 That pan of smelts sure does look tasty Bruce and brings back many fond memories. I never tried catching them with a fish'n pole but used to spend alot of fun time back in the day catching them with a large dip net down along the shores of Lake Ontario.
bigugli Posted February 6, 2011 Author Report Posted February 6, 2011 That pan of smelts sure does look tasty Bruce and brings back many fond memories. I never tried catching them with a fish'n pole but used to spend alot of fun time back in the day catching them with a large dip net down along the shores of Lake Ontario. My uncle told me about jigging for smelts years ago. Jigging for smelts in Musquodoboit harbour through the ice using eyes for bait. Netting of smelts wasn't allowed. Salt water smelts are a lot bigger too as I recall from some 40 years back.
crappieperchhunter Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 THe back sure is stiff after looking down the FishTV hole for 6 hours. Neat to watch the little buggers taking up the bait. You 2 chose a good time to skedaddle. The snow got a lot heavier later on, especially along the lake. Yeah we caught some of the flurries just south of Toronto. Road was still good but the visibility was not great for awhile. At work today my back was complaining to me as well
icefisherman Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 Familiar pictures and I am sure happy faces guys. Which reminded me to PM Bruce Always fun going after the smelt down there. Cheers, Ice Fisherman
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