I would like to try smelt for pike fishing, but I can't find any in local stores. If anyone has any sources please let me know. Thanks in advance.
badmisterevil
01-04-2001, 12:02 AM
Ed you need somebody with Cowlitz river connections. Do you need them live? (just curious I think that would be hard to do) Try looking for guides or tackle shops in that area. The smelt should be running within the next month, or a little longer for the commercial dippers.
Green Bay
01-04-2001, 03:41 PM
The fish market's like Seaway usually have them in this area, cheaper than at baitshops. Also some local grocery stores have them in fresh or froze section but they are gutted, they still work. I scored some pike last winter using some (4-6")dead chubs, shiners and sucker minnows that the baitshop had in a net by the minnow tanks, they were picking dead ones out. Worked for me, no charge, just ask them for big dead minnows a few days before you plan to go fishing and they will save you some.