Am going to try something today, I have heard enough about smelt to believe they work, however the gutted smelt I bought, without the head, without the tail, are a whopping 3-4 in. long. so I am going to take my homemade mono QSR, spread them a little, and put a smelt on each hook through the back so they hang flat. Will post if any luck, will go back to drawing bd. if not. Next year, will have to find a place to by full smelt. Live in Mi., ,last year drove to higgins lake 2 1/2 hrs, caught 2., not an option. Mike