Smelt Rigging Tips: BIG PIKE LOVE BIG DEAD BAIT! Usually Anglers fish with frozen smelt beneath a tip up in shallow weedy flats less than 10 feet of water and only half way down - so 5 ft. The smelt need to be visible for Pike to see from a distance. Make sure the smelt hangs in a natural horizontal position. Don't be afraid to fish them right under the ice in 3 ft of water. Jumbo smelt 8-10" work well for most size pike. It's best to mostly thaw the smelt before using. If your smelt is partially frozen and floats, try weighting the smelt by crimping sinkers just above each hook or use a weighted smelt rig. If the smelt never gets hit by a fish, you should be able to reuse for several times. If it gets too soft to stay on the hooks, it's time to replace with a fresh one. Smelt generally only last for 1 fish strike. Store any unused smelt in the freezer until needed. Hook up Z LEADERS Smelt Rigs as shown in the picture. Note that the hooks are facing each other on opposite sides of the smelt. When your flag goes up, get to your tip up asap. If the fish is taking out line set the hook hard immediately. If the fish is not taking out line, wait until it does then set the hook. As the ice fishing season progresses and late ice approaches, smelt fishing for Northern Pike is very popular and more productive. It's also a good idea to purchase your smelt in the off-season and put in your freezer until needed. Availability of smelt during the ice fishing season often becomes a problem. Click here to view and purchase Z LEADERS Ice Fishing Quick-Strike / Smelt Rigs.
