Smelts in S. NH

[shsalchemist]

Does anyone know where I can get some lively smelts around the Nashua area?.  I'm heading to mass for salmon this weekend.  Thanks!

[moosehunter]

no salmon in mass.

[sorelippin]

no salmon in mass.

There are salmon in MA.  They stock them from 4lbs to 18lbs.  I don't think you can bring NH bait into MA though.  Use a crawler just under the ice or a medium shiner under the ice.  No one I know uses smelts for the broods.

[shsalchemist]

Thanks for the info.  Your right, I should not transport bait over the border.  Is there a place in mass I can get smelt ... It works really well for salmon for me.  Must be some superstition . I'll post in central/western mass to see if any bait shop will have them.

[sorelippin]

Thanks for the info.  Your right, I should not transport bait over the border.  Is there a place in mass I can get smelt ... It works really well for salmon for me.  Must be some superstition . I'll post in central/western mass to see if any bait shop will have them.

I haven't seen any near me at all.  Smelt work great on winni but I can tell you I've caught a lot of the ones they stock here and crawlers actually outfish the shiners.  Give it a try 

[shsalchemist]

Thanks so much, I will definitely get some.  In your experience, will crawlers out fish trout worms?  And have you caught salmon on salmon eggs through the ice?

[sorelippin]

Crawlers will definitely outfish the trout worms for the salmon.  I use trout worms for brookies and do well.  Salmon eggs I do very well for rainbows but never got a salmon on a salmon egg.  Not saying you can't but when crawlers and medium shiners have done so well for me and others, I have not had the need to change my tactics.  Hope that helps.

[shsalchemist]

Great info, thank you.  My pre plans are all set for the week end.  IS is great for this, thank you so much sorelippin!

[Swampdonkey]

Better off using hatchery pellets for bait. Them salmon haven't ever seen a smelt. Good luck.