I've read a few old posts on here about guys talking about hitting the Penobscot for smelt, but no one ever reported back as to having gotten out there. Maybe they didn't make it back to give reports....
So anyone make it out there and live to tell the tale?
With the record cold this winter, I figured its now or never and ventured out is search of the smelt motherload. I drilled, and drilled, and drilled. It was all I could do to find water! There is alternating layers of slush and ice beneath the primary ice. I had a metal pole and was finding layer of ice extending down 6-7' in places. Its nuts! It seems like the river forms slush upstream and it is getting swept down under the surface and pilling up. I did find one area where the ice and slush underneath was a paltry 3'.
I did mark what looked like a few smelt on the flasher, but didn't hook any. I did get into the tomcod decently. I know they spawn in estuaries in the winter. does anyone know what particular habitat tomcod like or where they spawn? I think with some more searching I can get into the tomcod good and thick. I am trying to get on the smelt though. Anyone know how far they come up the river in the winter?