Catching Jack Smelt
 

Heading out tomorrow morning for a halibut drift. Tired of using the bait from the bait barge. I'm looking for some info on catching jack smelt or mackeral. Would it be best to use a sabiki rig or small cut bait? I'm used to catching smelt in the net but I haven't seen any for awhile.
BTW I'll be drifting in the SD Bay. I'll be looking for bait around Shelter Island

Are you heading out Saturday or Sunday? I'm thinking of launching at about 7 on Sunday. Anyway, Sabiki will work well, and I know they are in the area I was out last weekend and they were all over the place. Also if you have some silver or gold spoons those will work also.

Heading out Sunday morning. Around 7am I'll be in a red Hobie outback

I have a Red Malibu X-factor I'll look for ya.

I've done well with frozen anchovies from Walmart too. Kinda on the pricey side but good for last minute.

I have had the same issue finding and catching smelt. I well be launching from SI tomorrow morning also (dune PA)

My setups are rigged for live bait. I'm thinking about fishing Mission Bay since the bait barge is closer. I don't feel like wasting half the day trying to catch a couple smelt.

shelter island pier...

Better Hali bait in the bay? Jack Smelt or Sardines?

theres good amount of smelt there and guys load up on mackerel some days. i've caught alot of hali on smelt but seen monsters caught on mackerel. i just catch seals.

Target the macs, The smelts are too big this year. My daughter got spooled for about 50 yards before she got that one under control. :D
Attachment 5621