My latest thing is catching lots of 3-5" smelt and keeping them alive...for a while

I have upgraded to a 100 quart tub with 20 gallons of seawater and a marineland "paddlewheel" 170 gph filtration system. It should keep smelt or whatever alive until they starve, or go fishing with me. Or I figure out how to feed them.

Why?

I love having bait on hand whenever I feel like going. More importantly I have a tactic using 6# tough p-line on small spinning rods with a #6 bait hook and a carolina keeper and 1/8 oz egg sinker. I'm also going to try fly-lining maybe with a split shot or two for shallow harbor flatties and bay bass. My five gallon bucket or other bait systems can hold lots of them, so I can be pretty unconcerned about using/losing them. With the carolina keeper rig all you can lose is a hook, and that's the only knot to retie. Pretty cool.

With the right gear I should be able to toss these little guys like three inch swimbaits, and work structure and slow troll them. I think they are like candy for just about anything that eats fish. They are small enough that a trap hook shouldn't be necessary, allthough I farmed several bites Sunday...

Just thinking out loud...

Quietman

Besides...I caught that 28" nine pounder on about a 4" little smelt.

Quietman

http://www.kayakfishingpro.com