SMELT...

[amazinmoose]

just got back from the food store, got some wild dressed smelt! they look YUMMMY!! (ganna pan fry & pickle)  but was wounder if anyone has had luck with them jiggin?  using a piece on a Swedish pimple ??  they are good sized 6"+ w/o heads and guts though...    any info would be great!  thanks again men!!! -moose

[vermontpike]

Are you asking about jigging for smelt or jigging with smelt?

[amazinmoose]

with.. i want to use the headed gutted smelt for bait...  is it worth a shot?  -moose

[esox slayer]

I've seen them in the store as well, have given them some thought but haven't tried them yet....am going to this next week and will post here and let you know...Esox

[coldbum]

they work great for cut-bait when jiggin up lakers and I have read here at IceShanty of people using them on tipups also...

[MikeVT]

I've used them for lakers when the bait shops run out.  Don't work quite as well but they still work if the lakers are in the mood.

[Reel Wet Ride]

Great Bait.
I know up on Higgins LK (MI) that they pretty much use them (head, body, w/e) on a pimple to catch lakers. Also put them on tip-ups as a dead bait. Great for spring run Browns in the big lake and Steel off the peirs. I like to freeze some of the bigger ones up and use them in the spring for Cats.

[GAMBELL]

I use the smelt gutted and without heads for pike on my tip ups.  They work just as good as the smelt with heads and guts. 

[Water Wolf]

Smelt in general are great bait. I have really good luck with them for pike. I have used them both for set lines and as jigging.
I have found that they don't work that well for walleye.

WW

[amazinmoose]

tried it again over the weekend....   jigging and on tilts....  no luck!!  no luck with shinners either though!  -moose 

[bobbers]

smelt has and is a very, very popular pike bait at braddock bay and has been responsible for more derby winners at braddock and the ponds over the last five years than any other.  they are cheaper than pike shiners and will last indefinitely in your freezer as some anglers want them in the most putrid form and smell.