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Post by jimmy67 on Apr 7, 2013 14:01:15 GMT -6
Do we need a sledge hammer to break ice to get to the smelt this year?
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 7, 2013 14:18:21 GMT -6
Nice! We could go old school and use dynamite. But I like redneck.....flamethrower
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Post by jimmy67 on Apr 7, 2013 16:55:37 GMT -6
I actually was serious about making a lane to pull a net. Which leads me to my next question do smelt spawn under the ice?
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 7, 2013 19:56:20 GMT -6
All fish need a certain amount of daylight to darkness ratio of light to stimulate hormones to produce eggs and sperm. Then they need an ideal water temp to put them in. These 2 conditions don't always come together every year thus producing good and bad year classes of fry production.
Different species have different needs, salmon in fall, pike under ice, etc...but the smelt like water temps in the mid 40's, low 40's will get them started, but as the temp's rise then the peak of the run will hit. They usually will be a little spread out, natures way of adapting and making sure even a few will make it during poor condition years.
So no need to break ice, be patient and stay tuned here, we have some locals in Duluth that will give us great advice, which also includes my son.
Good question though, keep 'em coming!
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Post by sor on Apr 8, 2013 10:29:40 GMT -6
Hey All, Just visited the Tot Lot yesterday. Check out the view. Still about 50 yards of shelf ice. Walked out to the edge and felt depressed - almost as bad as looking at the 10-day forecast. Yuck!
Sent from my HTC One X using proboards
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Post by cvang393 on Apr 8, 2013 10:52:22 GMT -6
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 8, 2013 11:18:35 GMT -6
The net is exactly what you need. I'm not sure about the handle on the new ones. If the they are made out of aluminum or plastic they could break pretty easy. But those type of handles are easy to find and replace, so I think you are good! And the price is not bad either.
Does anyone have information on dip nets up in the Duluth area?
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Post by sor on Apr 8, 2013 13:26:12 GMT -6
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Post by iluvmn on Apr 8, 2013 15:44:29 GMT -6
anyone know where i can buy a wire dip net with a wood handle i wanna smelt this year, thanks
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Post by cvang393 on Apr 9, 2013 10:01:37 GMT -6
thanks for the input, dominodaves! i'm hoping the handle is made out of sturdy material though, but if not i'm sure i can always find something more sturdy to replace.
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 9, 2013 11:04:59 GMT -6
I have done a little research on dip nets. These buggers are getting harder and harder to find every year. I called both Marine General and Chalstroms up in Duluth and neither has any in stock right now. Although, both do expect some deliveries this week and they may be in them so check back daily would be my advise. The more calls they get, the more likely they will make sure that they have them in stock. Gander doesn't carry them at all, so there is no hope there I believe.
I have found them mainly at garage sales, flea markets, and even antique shows. Sometimes as cheap as $1.00 or up to $10.00 depending on condition. My son found one on Craigs list for $20.00 this spring, like new with a long wooden handle, he was lucky on that one.
A guy could find them online and order them asap. I think a wooden handled one would be tough though. But who knows. Stay away from the mesh ones, they really don't work very well at all. If anyone finds them available, please post something soon so people can get them for this season. We still have a couple weeks yet before they start moving in to the rivers....I think.
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Post by cvang393 on Apr 9, 2013 19:18:52 GMT -6
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Post by freezeman on Apr 10, 2013 5:38:18 GMT -6
I have a dip net with aluminum/metal handle broke on me last year after 20-25 good dips into the sands. I was not too happy since it was brand new. I'm going to get a piece of wood and make it my new handle since my cheap stock one broke. Yep, learned the hard way.
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Post by dominodaves on Apr 10, 2013 13:40:41 GMT -6
Freezeman, Does that mean that you were using a dip net out on the sand on the Point or on the WI side? I usually get that question every year. And my answer is always the same. That method is very unproductive at the Point. It's a large area that you need to use a seine at. The dip nets are used in the river currents and are very effective there.
The reason I ask is that if anyone is having luck using a dip net out on the sands on the Point I would like to know. But usually it's an exercise that doesn't produce a lot of smelt.
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Post by freezeman on Apr 10, 2013 13:44:47 GMT -6
I was on the MN side behind that tot lot area.
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