SMELT FISHING: A FALL AND WINTER RITUAL

Smelt fishing along the North Shore of Boston remains a very popular fall and winter activity despite the decline in fishing over the past couple of decades. This popular activity still draws good numbers of anglers from all over the area looking to shake the cobwebs of winter inactivity. Though not a gamefish, smelt is a popular activity from Plum Island to the South Shore.

Over the years, smelt fishermen have noticed a severe decline in the numbers of smelt that are available during an autumn night tide. Not too many years ago the numbers of smelt caught during a tide could easily number well into the hundreds. Presently, the numbers of these delicate fish seem to run into the dozens during a tide. Still enough to make for a good meal or a bountiful snack while watching T.V. Pollution, loss of habitat and a decline in spawning fish have all led to the decline of local smelt populations.

Smelt can be caught during any time of the day but are generally much more active during the evening into night hours. This is the time of the day when the largest concentrations of smelt will enter the coastal rivers and streams.

The smelt is a voracious minnow feeder and is no means shy. It is quick to take offerings of small, live minnows and will strike hard and fast. Other popular offerings include sea worms, shrimp and small jigs. Jigs are more effective when they are tipped with a small strip of fresh bait. Although smelt prefer live offerings of silversides and killifish, they seldom refuse dead baits.

In the coastal river and streams, smelt are generally more aggressive during the incoming tides. They can be caught in all depths of water but seem to prefer the bottom third of the water column. Usually, fishermen will set out a series of lines at different depths until they discover what depth the smelt are traveling. At that point, they will adjust their lines to the most productive depth.

Most smelt fishermen will make use of the popular bamboo poles rigged with a line clip and, most often squidding line with monofilament leader. Poles generally run from eight to twelve feet. A good supply of gold aberdeen hooks in the smaller sizes round out the tackle needed for a smelt fishing outing. A couple of other thing that are nice to have are a Coleman lantern that will supply both light and heat for chilled hands and a five gallon plastic bucket with a cover for sitting and holding your catch. Many fishermen cut a square opening at the top of the bucket to insert caught fish so they do not have to get up and keep their rythem in tact. Some fishermen wall opt for the use of a small float to keep track of their bait’s movement and the initial strike of the smelt. A good supply of small split shot in various sizes round out your tackle needs.

Many fishermen will be quick to admit that all the tackle and lanterns and buckets are only a small part of the equipment that is needed for a good night of fishing. According the most smelt fishermen the most important item an experienced smelt fisherman can bring along on every smelt trip is a large thermos of pipping hot coffee. They will all admit that a hot cup of coffee during a cold night of fishing is worth more than most anything.

The methods used for catching smelt are really quite primitive despite all the high tech gadgets that are now available to today’s fishermen. Basically, you are doing nothing more than simple still fishing. Remember those days when you were a kid and would spend hours sitting on the bank of your favorite fishing hole and drifted worms all day long? Well this is the same enjoyable task that is performed during smelt fishing. Maybe this is exactly why smelt fishing is so enjoyable and relaxing.

When the fish strikes, it is not necessary to set the hook as though you have a trophy sized bass on the end of the line. A steady lifting of the rod and a constant pressure on the fish is all that is needed to successfully hook the fish. This simple motion makes landing a smelt a simple and fluid exercise designed to maximize the productivity of smelt fishing.

Even though the bulk of smelt fishermen will line local docks and piers, many fishermen will extend their smelt fishing well into winter making it necessary to fish through the ice. This is also productive. Local fishing clubs will sponsor ice fishing smelt trips to the frozen waters of New Hampshire and Maine where "smelt towns" are firmly established on coastal waters. When up north, smelt fishing is generally considered a social event that takes place within the comfort of ice houses. Some of these shanties are equipped with generators and pot bellied stoves.

When using sea worms for smelt fishing, it is a good idea to thread the worm on the hook so that a bit of tail extend beyond the barb of the hook. The small piece of tail is left wiggling and will trigger the curiosity of the smelt and ultimately hit the bait. Small killifish should be hooked through the back so that it can swim naturally.

Jig fishing has a little different technique. Small jigs such as the Sweedish Pimple and the Zing-ama-jig should be worked in a slow but erratic motion. It is also productive to add a strip of bait to the jig as the added scent and movement will help to attract hungry smelt. Another bait that is highly prized is the grass shrimp that can be found in most pet shops.

Some of the better smelt spots that can be found in the local area include many of the marinas that are located on coastal rivers. Some of these marinas will charge a small fee in order to use their piers. The Mystic River, the Neponset River, the Fore River, and the Charles River are all good locations for smelt fishing. Moving up the coast, the Saugus River and the Pines River are also good locations. There are numerous marinas along all these river and some allow smelt fishing from their docks.

In the Salem area, smelt fishing takes place in the Danvers River and the South River. Some of the best smelt action can take place deep in the Danvers River along Danversport. On any given night, the glow of Coleman lanterns can be seen all along the river. One of the better areas for smelt in the Salem area is the South River. The river runs under the Congress Street Bridge and behind the stores on New Derby St. There is easy access behind the tire store with adequate parking and plenty of room to fish the wall.

Beverly has numerous floats that fishermen can make use of and are located along Bridge St and Water St. The public floats behind the old MacDonalds building is one of the most popular and draws good crowds throughout the smelt fishing season. This is also one of the most productive floats in the area.

Manchester Harbor also has a public float that is visited by good numbers of smelt fishermen. The float is generally pulled during October.

All of the above areas can be very productive for persistent smelt fishermen. Instead of remaining in front of the television during those cool autumn nights, why not try for some smelt? The fishing is generally pretty good and the company can’t be beat. You are sure to develop new and lasting friendships. As the old saying goes, "Try it, you’ll like it!".