Frozen Smelt on tip-ups...Cleaned or Whole???

[Kodiakman]

I decided to try tip-ups for pike this year for the first time.  I found a grocery store here in Rapid City that has smelt in a 1 lb bag prety cheap but they are cleaned with the heads off.  About 6" each.  I'de say at least 2 dozen in a bag.  I think bait shops get them whole with heads and all but I haven't had a chance to call around and find out.

My question is this, does it matter if the smelt are cleaned or uncleaned?  Also, how often would you change bait with these?

[brujharr]

Whole smelt will work allot better, Kodiakman! The head, more importantly the eyes are a visual effect and the guts, thats where the smell comes from. I smash mine down with my foot, forces the air out so they sink, and releases the smell. I also use them over and over, until there isn't much left!

[BAZOOKAJOE]

Good question!  I have a bag of those in my freezer right now, i used them for cats last spring.  I was wondering the same thing ...especially with the bait shortage/problem here in NY state.

[Water Wolf]

I also use whole smelt, pike really like them.
The cleaned ones may work for you but probably not the same as a hole smelt would.
Try and locate the largest smelt you can find for pike, the big guys like larger baits and the mid sized guys and even a few the more aggressive smaller pike will grab big smelts.

WW

[Big E]

KM

Rooster's has golden shiners and sucker chubs...give those a try.  They hit on dead goldies today.  Never got around to trying the suckers.

[jayswimmer09]

definetly whole

[piscesman]

A friend of mine uses dead smelt on the bottom for Lake Trout. Always has good luck catching them. HINT, HINT he uses them on the KING!!!!!!!!!!!
     Kim     

[GAMBELL]

I buy it cleaned (easiest to find and usually bigger).  I have had great success with the cleaned smelt.  They also do not float.

[A- bomb]

I stated this on a salted shiner post.
1 let thaw
2 add   food color (i like yellow)
3 add your favorite scent, lunker lotion or what ever.
4 vacum seal it, i do that to chubs in the summer about 5 to a bag. The store bought  scents don't really freeze  so when it hits the water its milking.have 1 14" super red sucker that went on three trips. got home re packed it. finally got ate! (24incher with an attitude)    

[Barleydog]

I don't think it matters if they are aggressive.  I'd prefer whole baits however.  Juice them up good with some Smelly Jelly!