Or I was going to title this: Children, Piers, Smelt, and the meaning of life...

Went down to the Dana Harbor Pier today about 1:15pm It was low tide, and still getting lower on it's way to a minus 0.4! Very cool look, seeing so much bottom.

Took my two youngest kids with me after dropping off thier big brudda at Kindergarten. Abby (2) and Natey (4). We were on a two-fold mission, being to 1. get 25 gallons of water for the new palacial smelt motel mentioned in a previous post and 2. Get some smelt for it!

Wonderful day, big puffy clouds, blue sky, sprinkles, clean, clean, crisp air. NOT a day to be indoors. We got to the pier and I made them stay topside where there was a rail while I went down and tossed a little bread to see if we had customers. Bingo! Smelt were hitting it deep as it sank. I high tailed it back to my pfinder and grabbed the net, pole and floating bait receiver.

Three or four drops later I had a bunch of smelt in the receiver, untouched by human hands. I've got it down now to where I swing in the net, then tip and crease it slightly to send the smelt cascading into the receiver without being touched.

My kids went nuts, they have no idea what a "Good" fish is, they just were captivated by the magic of the net disapearing empty into the water to come back up shimmering with silver sparks. I guess I am to. I love catching smelt.

After a little sight seeing and picture taking we went home. My wife had just finished making hambergers with all the trimmings and I never tasted anything so good, with a nice mug of homebrew from the keg. Wonderful day. Wonderful.

Quietman

PS> I can tell already that going with the killer filtration system was the right decision, these smelt are FRISKY! I just hope the bacteria on the bio-wheel grow fast enough, since I didn't go the conditioning route. Or rather I'm conditioning as I go. If needed I can replace the activated charcol pack early until the bio gets going. Or replace the smelt...


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/577.jpg

Great Post Quiteman! Good going on the smelt and you are blessed with beautiful children. Kids are such a wonderful joy at that age! Time just absolutely FLIES when they're that age.

Tight Lines!

Forget Mello Bros. Bait (the receiver at dana), I'll take a 1/2 scoop please!

But Gundy is fun to talk with...and gives the Yaks and the tubers the $5 deal, usually...

I hate to admit it but I keep just...watching...the smelt, they are really cool looking, and have kinda "Schooled" up loosely. There are over 50 of them, and not even one looks the least bit sick/hurt. Not touching them is really important, I think.

They big clear tub makes a passable aquarium, and for $35 invested total, I must have one of the cheapest saltwater aquariums in LoCal.

I'm gonna go buy them some brine shrimp. How am I ever going to nose-hook my little buddys? ;-)

Quietman

Looks like you have some new pets!
I've kept a reef tank for years but have been holding back the urge to set up a tank of local SW sportfish. Your post isn't helping.LOL

anyone want to start a reef tank post with pics i know ill add to it
i have a 240gallon reef