Thread: Salted smelt

Hi guys anyone tried salting smelt to latter use as bait for trout ? do u just salt the smelt well & leave them in a bag ?

I've tried salting Barracouta for long line baits ( salt water sorry ) but had limited success, quite a lot of salt required that said smelt being a lot smaller may be easier with less flesh exposed,I would think of grabbing some Kouru ( spelling...freshwater crays) and use them for a fresh bait.

Anyway how would you fish them? Under a bubble or with a bit of split shot on a trace?

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

Hi guys anyone tried salting smelt to latter use as bait for trout ? do u just salt the smelt well & leave them in a bag ?

I remember when Grandad used to do it. The smelt were rubbed,covered with lots of salt and in a ice cream container kept cool under the water tank (40+ yrs ago).
I did the same for a number of years when I fished the lower Oreti. They last a long time but tend to go soft after a few months.

Thanks for that , iv just salted a few in a container will try them next few days I was just going to use them like I do worms .

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

Thanks for that , iv just salted a few in a container will try them next few days I was just going to use them like I do worms .

Thread the hook through the mouth, out a gill plate and then back through the body at least once heading toward the tail. You will finish with the tip of the hook pointing back towards the head.