how to jig smelt

[tomcatoak]

im going to try to jig smelt for the first time, i could use some pointers. when is the best time to fish for them, night or day? what jigs do you use, what size, what do you use for bait if you use any..do they like where rivers come into lakes...im fairly new too jigging, im not familiar with jigs out there. Any help would be great. i need some good, healthy bait.

[woodfolks]

I use a hand line. A wooden jig rod. with monofiliment
put a diamond jig (weight) on the end of the line or a heavy sinker.
Next add about 6 in of line below this with a number 6 hook.
Drop to the bottom come up one or two feet.

bait with spikes or gulp. Then when you catch them shave a 2 in piece off of one side of
the smelt you catch and use that to bait the hook (skin). you can put a second hook above this
for doubles.

fish in lake 60 feet of water or so ask at the shops were people are fishing.
In NY lake champlain port Henry, or upper saranac lake.

[fish_finder]

Here we catch em in 20-30 fow mostly, use small panfish jigs or single hooks with a small piece of fish about a foot off bottom.  Just about any time of day is good to catch them

[tomcatoak]

how deep of a water column and what a spike or gulp is that a worm 

[fish_finder]

Spikes are a type of grub, maggots i think? somone on here should be able to give u a better definition ive never used them...gulp tho is semi-artificial, comes in a jar in different forms, worms, grubs ect sorta like power bait but better.

[jacksmelt71]

early morning and early eves. work best for me. any hali type lure that glows works good. i put it on a u.l. rod w/ 4lb. test line. daytime i fish within 5ft. of bottom at night halfway down to just under the ice. if you have a flasher use it! my shacks in exactly 40ft. good luck!

[woodfolks]

they school up
so if you have them you have a lot.
Ask around at shops if they are in your area.
Most of the time people will fish that area year after
year. If you are on the cost then you can get them in bays
I have not fished that area

[pgachef]

Call a guide in champlain set your self up with one of those guys best money you ever spent great time!!

[woodfolks]

My Dad used to rent a shanty in port Henry
Thats how we got into it
If you call Norms bait shop near port Henry they can
put you on to one of the outfitters.
They will give you everything you need.
Its a great time. Its been a little slow for smelt
not good last year. Going out myself on sat with my boy.

[FishingNy03]

use a small gold hook, tipped with spikes or mousies

[krayfish]

i use a sibiki rig it is pre maid at the bait shop at hiigins lake.it is a line with like 6or7 small hooks that glow. and has a snap swivel on bottom. i put a hali there for the weight.i also fish at night mostly with a submergable green neon lite which attracts plankton that smelt will eat but also use waxies spikes or even a piece of smelt.  oh and put a big sinker on end of light to get it down a lil bit