dumb new kayak fisher with questions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

miller · 11-28-2008, 05:20 PM

The last couple of times i went out to LJ i tried to make bait just outside the bouys near the kelp and i cant seem to catch anything but smelt.
I was wondering how smelt worked for yt and if so what is the best way to rig it

lamb · 11-28-2008, 05:53 PM

nothing wrong with smelt, especially if that's all you got.

Run the hook through it nostrils, just like sardines or macs.

This time of the year, bait can be tough. Maybe try to look deeper in the water column. Look for the marks on the meter.

If you're caching smelt, maybe you're too deep into the kelp - look a bit further out. Keep an eye on birds, they are always looking for bait.

Read masta's write up, good dope - http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...plate=livebait

welcome to BWE

Siebler · 11-28-2008, 06:14 PM

Im not saying you dont know what you'd talking about But,

Are you sure your catching smelt? On more than one occasion I have seen people mistake Spanish Mackerel for Smelt in La Jolla.

As for the Smelt as bait thing, I agree with what Adi Said. Smelt is killer Halibut bait and I have seen many bass and otehr fish caught on them as well.

steamroll · 11-28-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siebler

Im not saying you dont know what you'd talking about But,

Are you sure your catching smelt? On more than one occasion I have seen people mistake Spanish Mackerel for Smelt in La Jolla.

As for the Smelt as bait thing, I agree with what Adi Said. Smelt is killer Halibut bait and I have seen many bass and otehr fish caught on them as well.

Call Doug

MKNOTT · 11-28-2008, 06:31 PM

Miller,

You can always troll your Sabiki around while your lookin for bait. Put 2 oz sinker or jig on the bottom of your rig and set it back 20ft or so. This has always worked for me when I cant find it.

MKNOTT

Siebler · 11-28-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamroll

Call Doug

You guys suck man.

It was a pretty good one though.

Scoot · 11-29-2008, 06:52 PM

Couple years ago I got a

on a smelt at LJ. Many years back smelt was the bait of choice on the Q'105 in a night bite!! My 2 pennies

h2ofishfo · 11-30-2008, 09:15 AM

smelt are definitely the "pinto's" of the bait family the greenies being the "ferrari"i say put in the time 2 find the good bait so u are not trolling a dead smelt that doesnt swim .ive trolled greenies that last for 4 hours & have never had a smelt last more than hour....

11-28-2008, 05:20 PM	#1
miller Junior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: el cajon Posts: 15	dumb new kayak fisher with questions The last couple of times i went out to LJ i tried to make bait just outside the bouys near the kelp and i cant seem to catch anything but smelt. I was wondering how smelt worked for yt and if so what is the best way to rig it

11-28-2008, 05:53 PM	#2
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	nothing wrong with smelt, especially if that's all you got. Run the hook through it nostrils, just like sardines or macs. This time of the year, bait can be tough. Maybe try to look deeper in the water column. Look for the marks on the meter. If you're caching smelt, maybe you're too deep into the kelp - look a bit further out. Keep an eye on birds, they are always looking for bait. Read masta's write up, good dope - http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...plate=livebait welcome to BWE __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

11-28-2008, 06:14 PM	#3
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	Im not saying you dont know what you'd talking about But, Are you sure your catching smelt? On more than one occasion I have seen people mistake Spanish Mackerel for Smelt in La Jolla. As for the Smelt as bait thing, I agree with what Adi Said. Smelt is killer Halibut bait and I have seen many bass and otehr fish caught on them as well. __________________ CJ Siebler

11-28-2008, 06:31 PM	#5
MKNOTT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Persian Gulf Posts: 263	Miller, You can always troll your Sabiki around while your lookin for bait. Put 2 oz sinker or jig on the bottom of your rig and set it back 20ft or so. This has always worked for me when I cant find it. MKNOTT __________________ When I grow up I want to be, One of the harvesters of the sea, <O I think before my days are done, I want to be a fisherman.

11-29-2008, 06:52 PM	#7
Scoot Scoot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Menifee Posts: 164	Smelt Couple years ago I got a on a smelt at LJ. Many years back smelt was the bait of choice on the Q'105 in a night bite!! My 2 pennies

11-30-2008, 09:15 AM	#8
h2ofishfo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santee Posts: 821	smelt are definitely the "pinto's" of the bait family the greenies being the "ferrari"i say put in the time 2 find the good bait so u are not trolling a dead smelt that doesnt swim .ive trolled greenies that last for 4 hours & have never had a smelt last more than hour....