MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Northwest => Montana => Topic started by: strgon84 on Apr 29, 2017, 12:30 PM
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has anyone fished for pike with smelt under a float?
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I haven't personally tried this but I don't see why it's not worth a shot. I have caught lots of Northern on smelt through the ice.
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Can be very effective.
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works great:)
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Used this method at Beaver Creek Res. south of Havre and found it successful-just be patient.
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We do it a lot off the edge of weedbeds. Can be pretty fun watching that bobber Scoot across the water.
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great way to catch pike do it all the time. i use the same set up as i use for salmon fishing on the coast weighted foam float set your depth and your ready to go. also use a two hook rig.
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Helps to brine the smelt
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How do you prevent the smelt from coming off the hook when you cast?
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Small rubber bands
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How much are you guys getting your smelt for?!? Here in Maine, smelt go for a premium and are saved for when we go after Landlocked (Atlantic) salmon or big trout. Pike are an invasive species here, big golden shiners and suckers are what we use.
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I pay about $5 a pack for smelt
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worked well for many years on Noxon when i lived up there.
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It's a good method for sure, I will fish lik this if I'm just wanting a more relaxed / lazy day of not having to cast a lot, it is fun seeing your bobber take off
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Yes, here in NYS I used whole dead smelt
under a "slip" bobber, the bobber was long
shaped that has a hole through the entire length
bobber shaped like a cigar
throw it out and let it set on bottom, this was
river bank fishing . set the hook !!
pike will pick them off bottom, and take off
caught a lot this way
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Yep , I use the same method,but not always on the bottom I will adjust the depth,but man you can cast those bobbers a country mike lol
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dont rule out the bottom rig for deep summer pike. the real hoggs roam deep water. a standard slip sinker rig with a floating bait 20" off bottom can be deadly effective. especially paired with a chunk of sponge and some "yumm" on it for a scent trail in current. here we can use live baits so big chubs get the nod.
I agree with that for sure ,never tried the yumm or sponge, but seems deeper can definitely be a great way, I've had slot of luck on a weed edge middle of the water column
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Good to know about the sponge tho ,thanks for sharing
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I get the satisfaction of having someone laugh at or look at you like you're an idiot, and catching a big fish in front of them, I used to live in the Bitterroot valley and I fished with big rapalas, and caught several trout over 20 " ,I decided to throw a lipless crank bait and had some fishing guide flick me nuts about fishing with it, but he sure got his mouth shut when a I caught a brown that was over 24" lol his client sure wasn't happy