Ice Smelt Fishing: The Thrilling World of Winter Fishing

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Even in the cold winter wind, the passion for fishing burns hot. Ice smelt fishing, in particular, is a special pleasure that can only be experienced during winter. Each small smelt caught while feeling the sharp bites through the thin ice provides excitement that makes you forget the winter cold.

This article provides detailed guidance so that even beginners to ice smelt fishing can easily follow along, from necessary equipment to rigging methods, fishing spot selection tips, and most importantly, safety rules. Dive into the charm of ice smelt fishing this winter!

Ice Smelt Fishing, Why Is It Only Possible in Winter?

Smelt is a cold-water species that prefers cold water. Therefore, when winter arrives and water temperatures drop, smelt gather near shores searching for food or become active near the bottom of frozen lakes or reservoirs. At this time, anglers drill holes in the ice and catch smelt, which is ice smelt fishing. Since smelt are difficult to see in summer, it’s recognized as a special winter experience.

Ice Smelt Fishing Gear: Essentials for Solid Winter Fishing

For successful ice smelt fishing, several essential pieces of equipment are needed. You must carefully prepare items to cope with cold weather and effectively catch smelt.

1. Fishing Rod and Reel: Tools to Catch Small but Strong Fish

Since smelt are small, it’s best to use a thin and flexible smelt-specific fishing rod. The length is usually around 1-1.5m, a convenient length for lowering the rig into ice holes. The sensitive tip of the fishing rod makes it easy to detect smelt bites.

For reels, small spinning reels or baitcast reels are mainly used. It’s important that the fishing line unwinds smoothly without tangling, and it’s good to choose a product with durability that can withstand even the force of small smelt.

2. Fishing Line and Hooks: Delicacy Is Life

Fishing Line: Since smelt have small mouths and weak strength, using thin fishing line is essential. Usually, 1-2 lb nylon or braided line (PE line) is commonly used. The thinner the fishing line, the higher the probability that smelt will bite the rig without caution.

Hooks: Smelt-specific hooks are thin and short, with many hooks tied together. These are called ‘smelt treble hooks’ or ‘smelt card rigs.’ Usually, 3-5 hooks are attached, increasing the possibility of catching multiple smelt at once. Hook sizes are generally around 1-3.

3. Bait: Things That Stimulate Smelt’s Appetite

One of the greatest joys of smelt fishing is the bait. You can capture smelt’s taste using various baits.

Live Bait: The most effective bait is small red or white plastic worms. If you apply smelt-specific powder bait (attractant) to these worms, the effectiveness doubles.

Artificial Bait: Recently, smelt-specific worms or silicone baits are widely used. Since various colors and shapes of worms are available, it’s important to choose according to field conditions.

Note: Live bait (earthworms, etc.) may be prohibited in some areas, so you must check in advance.

4. Other Essential Equipment: Responsible for Cold and Safety

Ice Drill: An essential tool for drilling through ice. There are manual drills and electric drills; choose considering the ice thickness at your fishing location and your physical strength. Electric drills work faster, but manual drills may be less burdensome in terms of portability and price.

Hole Cover: Prevents wind from entering through drilled ice holes, making fishing difficult. It also serves as a safety device to prevent falling into holes.

Mat or Chair: Since you’ll be sitting on ice for long periods, cold-weather mats or folding chairs are essential.

Cold Weather Gear: Thick coats, hats, gloves, scarves, winter boots, etc., are essential. Maintaining body temperature is the most important factor for sustaining fishing enjoyment.

Ice Scoop: Useful for clearing ice fragments around drilled holes or scooping up caught smelt.

Fish Attracting Light (Optional): Can help attract smelt during night fishing or cloudy weather.

Ice Smelt Fishing Rigging: Techniques to Tempt Smelt

Ice smelt fishing rigging is not difficult. Anyone can easily follow by learning just a few methods.

1. Basic Rig: Simple but Effective Method

Line Connection: Tie fishing line to the rod tip and wind it on the reel.

Attach Sinker: Attach a small sinker to the end of the fishing line. This sinker helps lower the rig quickly to the desired depth and detect bites.

Connect Card Rig: Connect a smelt card rig (with multiple hooks) above the sinker. Hook spacing of about 10-20cm is appropriate.

Attach Bait: Attach prepared bait (worms, plastic bugs, etc.) to each hook on the card rig.

2. Rig Using Float: Easy to Detect Bites

There’s also a method using smelt-specific floats.

Line Connection: Tie fishing line to the rod tip and wind it on the reel.

Attach Float Rubber and Float: Insert float rubber on the fishing line and attach a smelt-specific float above it.

Attach Sinker: Attach a small sinker just below the float.

Connect Card Rig: Connect the smelt card rig below the sinker and attach bait.

Advantage of Using Float: Even subtle smelt bites are easy to detect through float movement, which can be advantageous for beginners.

3. Attractant Usage Tips

Attractants serve to lure smelt. Prepare red or white fine powder attractant and thoroughly coat it on worms or plastic bugs used as bait. Liquid attractants dissolved in water are also effective.

Ice Smelt Fishing Spot Selection: Places with High Probability of Meeting Smelt

Depending on which fishing spot you choose, smelt catch can vary. Consider the following when selecting a fishing spot.

1. Checking Ice Thickness Is Essential!

Safety is the top priority. You should only fish on thick ice of at least 10cm or more. Never go on thin ice. You must check ice thickness through local fishing spot management offices or experienced anglers’ information.

2. Smelt Habitat Characteristics

Water Depth: Smelt usually inhabit depths of about 5-15m. It’s better to target slightly deeper areas rather than too shallow places.

Surrounding Terrain: Smelt tend to gather in slightly deep places near shores, areas with aquatic plants or obstacles, and around flowing water.

Attracting Effect: Places where many people gather to fish have a high probability that smelt are already gathered.

3. Recommended Fishing Spot Types

Smelt Festival Venues: Many areas hold smelt festivals during winter. Safety facilities are well-equipped, and smelt are often already released or gathered, making them suitable for beginners.

Paid Fishing Spots: Paid fishing spots professionally designed for smelt fishing are convenient and good for guaranteed catches. Facilities are well-maintained and safety management is thorough.

Natural Ice Fishing Spots: You can also enjoy fishing at naturally frozen lakes, reservoirs, rivers, etc. In this case, you must obtain sufficient local information and prioritize safety.

Ice Smelt Fishing Method: Practical Tips

Once preparations are complete, it’s time to catch smelt in earnest.

1. Drilling Ice Holes

Drill holes at appropriate locations considering space for the fishing rod and reel on safe ice.

The hole diameter should be sufficient for the fishing rod and rig to pass through. If drilled too large, too much wind enters and smelt can escape.

Clean up ice fragments around drilled holes.

2. Lowering Rig and Detecting Bites

Lower the rig slowly into the ice hole. After the sinker touches the bottom, lift it slightly to float it about 10-20cm from the bottom.

Watch the rod tip and wait for smelt bites. Smelt bite very subtly with light taps, or the rod tip slightly drops.

When you feel a bite, hook set (slightly lifting the fishing rod) gently, not too strongly, to hook the smelt’s mouth.

3. Catching and Operation

When a bite comes, reel in to catch the smelt. If you reel too quickly just because smelt are small, the fishing line can twist or the smelt can fall off.

After catching one, there’s a high possibility that other smelt are nearby. Try a few more times in the same spot.

If bites become infrequent, it’s good to make changes such as moving the rig slightly or attaching fresh bait.

4. Attracting Usage

It’s also a good method to periodically use attractants to gather smelt or shake the fishing rod slightly (shaking) to move the bait.

Ice Smelt Fishing Safety Rules: Winter Fishing, Safety First!

Ice smelt fishing provides winter romance, but without thorough safety preparation, it can be dangerous. Please follow these safety rules without fail.

1. Checking Ice Thickness Is a Lifeline!

Never fish on thin ice. You should only fish on ice at least 10cm thick or more.

It’s better to fish with companions rather than alone and watch out for each other.

Never run or jump on ice.

Immediately avoid places where you hear ice cracking or water seeping out.

2. Equipment Inspection and Preparation

Wearing a life jacket is not mandatory, but it’s good to prepare for emergencies.

Equip sufficient cold weather gear to prevent hypothermia.

Fully charge your phone battery and secure emergency contacts in advance.

Preparing a first aid kit is also a good method.

3. Comply with Fishing Spot Regulations

Don’t use prohibited fishing areas, rigs, or bait.

Be sure to take trash with you to maintain a clean environment.

Drunk fishing is absolutely forbidden. It clouds judgment and increases accident risk.

4. Utilize Local Information

Carefully listen to and follow safety-related information from fishing spot management offices or local residents.

Check weather forecasts frequently and immediately stop fishing in bad weather.

Ice Smelt Fishing, Catching Winter Romance

Ice smelt fishing is more than just catching fish; it’s a special experience of communing with nature in the cold winter and feeling thrilling bites. If properly prepared and safety rules are followed, anyone can enjoy the best winter fishing.

How about diving into the charm of ice smelt fishing this winter and creating unforgettable memories?

Conclusion

Ice smelt fishing is an attractive type of fishing that provides a special winter experience. For successful smelt fishing, it’s important to prepare appropriate equipment (thin and sensitive fishing rods, small hooks, worm bait, etc.) and master rigging methods. When selecting fishing spots, you should consider checking ice thickness and smelt habitat characteristics, and above all, strictly observe safety rules.

Start preparing for ice smelt fishing right now!