Be sure to bring some chest waders and warm clothing, it will be cold. I am not sure of the amount of smelt, but a couple buckets or coolers would probably be fine, the runs aren't what they used to be. But this is the best way to get them. Man I remember the days you could fill the truck, but now you work to fill a couple 5 gallon buckets.
I hear that they should be going within days, they have caught a few, but the water needs to warm just a bit to trigger the big runs.
Alright folks the smelt run is ON... I just finished cleaning nearly 15 dozen smelt caught on 4 pulls. I had professional help from the SmeltMaster and family. They are truly the kings of smelt, which is what the LoadMaster called himself at the beginning of this thread and showed it tonight. They do know their stuff and Mrs. LoadMaster gets right into the action. They had a great pull early with over 2 gallons of smelt in it. But it got slower after that. We still pulled an average of over 3 dozen a pull, so that's the best I have had in many years and things are just starting.
Since it just started it depends on the weather now as they come and go, but we have about two weeks to get what we want. I am taking my kids out tomorrow night, if the weather holds. By the way it was beautiful out there tonight, 53 degrees and a west wind. Perfect weather. I hope I get a few more nights like this.
I started my other freezer so I am ready. AquaJoe any night now thru next weekend is great to go for the smelt. I will be out next weekend for a night or two also. It was too much fun not to get into the action.
Thanks Load, FlyMaster and family. They make you feel like a part of the family and are SUPER people. Plus they are teaching me lots more about fishing that would otherwise take me a long time to figure out on my own. They sure know their stuff. I am getting a little nervous about fishing against the Load and his new ringer partner. I think they are getting pretty serious about league this year, and are even retiring to get out fishing more.. Man I wish I could do that too.
The wind was wrong today, so we didn't go for it. But we will be monitoring the winds and when they are right, we are off for more smelt. My freezer is ready and the fishing partner wants some for a dinner and pike fishing. We will have to take care of the guy.
We'll keep everyone posted..
tenaciosd I can come up Friday evening or Saturday afternoon which would work better for you? I will need directions,contact numbers, where to meet and what hotels are close by that I could stay at.
I can't wait. are there others going to ???
aquajoe@bcmn.com
Pretty much take I-35 North right to it. There was a lot of people out today. Most using dip nets tonight. I hear they are getting them. I am hoping the winds die down a little to use a seine. Yeah there are couple other guys that want to do it too. We will go for it. There are a bunch of hotels down here, I will find out what are the best ones.
You can call me, 218-390-9973.
My kids and I like the Canal Park Inn, 727-8821. It has a good pool and spa, plus it is very close to the smelting, either up the shore or on Park Point, whichever is the best call. It is not fancy but is a good place and reasonable. There are lots of choices of hotels.
I have no kids this weekend so I can fish any time and will be out for smelt first, then maybe try the crappies again. The Crappies are almost in the shallows, we just need things to warm a little.