smelt or whitefish

[trout slayer 21]

whats Ur opinion on bait for lakers smelt or whitefish im curious as to what y'all think

[coldbum]

I think it depends a lot on the lake.
I would think smelt to be your best bet if they are in the lake you are targeting.

[Drifter_016]

It depends, I fish some water with the potential for 30, 40, 50 even 60# Lakers and big baits catch big fish. I have caught big lakers on 3 to 4 # whitefish and have caught some on 6" to 8"ciscoes as well. If your lake has a smaller average size of laker the smaller bait would catch you more fish. The water I fish, if I use ciscoes it is less likely I will get a giant because of all the smaller 4 to 10# trout. Fish that size most often will not hit a large whitefish so it is the bigger trout that will hit. If you can get small whitefish of under a pound they will work well in lakes where the average size is smaller also.

[Raquettedacker]

 3 and 4 pound whitefish for bait? You really do live in paradise don't you... I am happy just catching 3 and 4 pound lakers....

[Drifter_016]

3 and 4 pound whitefish for bait? You really do live in paradise don't you... I am happy just catching 3 and 4 pound lakers....

Fish like this can eat an 8-10# whitefish no problem. 

[jlaclair]

HOLY TOAD! i needs me to catch one of those....

[Raquettedacker]

Now that is incredible...

[fishingPole]

Wow, what did that baby weigh?

[Drifter_016]

Wow, what did that baby weigh?

61#

[buckshot464]

That is just a friggin sick fish,  sorry to change the topic,  I only use smelt for lakers.  but we only catch them upto 15lbs.

[Drifter_016]

That is just a friggin sick fish,  sorry to change the topic,  I only use smelt for lakers.  but we only catch them upto 15lbs.

Smelt, ciscoes or herring are all good choices for fish that size.
The lake doesn't need to have the particular baitfish in it for them to be effective.

[bigmike7272]

i use smelt, and ocassionaly a piece of herring cut bait

[dakotaice]

Fish like this can eat an 8-10# whitefish no problem. 

(Image removed from quote.)

lol i gotta ask,what size auger do ya need to land something that big on the ice.NICE FISH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Drifter_016]

lol i gotta ask,what size auger do ya need to land something that big on the ice.NICE FISH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll let you know when I get one through the ice.    
Got a 9 day camping trip booked for the end of March to some productive water.    
Let's hope my 10 1/4" Strikemaster is good enough.   

[dakotaice]

I'll let you know when I get one through the ice.    
Got a 9 day camping trip booked for the end of March to some productive water.    
Let's hope my 10 1/4" Strikemaster is good enough.   

better take a chainsaw along just in case,that fish has some girth

[Drifter_016]

better take a chainsaw along just in case,that fish has some girth

I need a chain saw with a 60" bar!!!!!