|
Post by freezeman on Mar 2, 2017 13:49:42 GMT -6
I just went to Menards and got 2 wooden poles and zip tie them to my Christiansen net. Wood aren't as cold as steel when your hands are all wet from pulling in net after nets.
|
|
drdb3
Full Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by drdb3 on Mar 2, 2017 15:36:01 GMT -6
Just got our new Christiansen net...........we are ready when the smelt are!!!
|
|
|
Post by jb on Mar 3, 2017 9:42:18 GMT -6
When you guys get an idea of what week-end will even a start to catch some, please post here....I'm coming up from Polk county Wi , so the best info I get is important to me, ....Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by dominodaves on Mar 3, 2017 13:02:27 GMT -6
jb,
1st off, welcome to our little forum! Glad to have you aboard!
That net you purchased from Cabella's...did you save the receipt? I hope so, because you won't be happy driving a long ways and using it and getting 1/25th of the fish that a Christiansen net gets. And that's if they are running well. I believe there are plenty of users on here that will agree. And no, I don't get any kickbacks from them, even though I should! LOL!!!
It might be fine for catching minnows in a creek or pond, but not smelt in the waves and uneven shoreline edges of Lake Superior. Especially when the waves are pounding in! So find a buddy and split the cost and pony up for the right net. You won't be sorry!
As far as the what weekend? Nobody really knows for sure! "Some" say I do, and if "I get lucky" I can peg it pretty well. But fishing is fishing, and that's why this forum is here. So stay tuned, ask questions, and be ready! And you have plenty of time to get the right net! And poles to pull with!
I would put money on Easter weekend that peeps will be getting "some". But we have a lot of weather between now and then. But that's what this forum is for!
|
|
|
Post by jb on Mar 4, 2017 9:33:06 GMT -6
Dominodaves,....Thanks for the kind welcome !
Yeah, when I picked up that seine from cabela's I have my doubts it would survive much in the waters of Lake Superior. I do have the H.christiansen nets Co. Catalog I received from them about 2 years ago. But I see it's better to just go to their website. So it looks like I can pick up one of their nets ( 4 ' X 25 ' ) without the bag , treated for $125.95. I'll have to call them to ask for the details all about their smelt nets, such as if it comes with floats and sinkers or what -not. I sure wish I still lived up in Superior, it was pretty cool when I and Dad would go out after supper most everyday we figured they'd be a running to hit some spots we thought we'd find some with our Dip nets and five-Gallon Pails. So thinking we have a little over a month give or take, to get ready for the smelting season. I can't wait!! It is a pretty exciting time of the year just like Opening Morning of the Whitetail Rifle season.
Well , Good Luck, and I'll be checking back here from time to time for updates! Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by shredder on Mar 4, 2017 18:21:15 GMT -6
PVC pipe the way to go, the boys here will tell u more, I'm checking in for the year
|
|
|
Post by walleyeslayer on Mar 6, 2017 11:35:14 GMT -6
Hello,
I want to try the Wisconsin point this year but have never tried this side before. Do I have to buy a Wisconsin license? If yes, where is a near by place i can go buy a license and how much should I be expecting to pay? Also, I've heard of people using Umbrella drop nets. Has anyone used this method with good success?
Thanks in advance for the info.
|
|
|
Post by inseinesmeltguy on Mar 6, 2017 15:42:09 GMT -6
jb, I was a newbie last year with the wrong net and paid dearly. Wised up and got the Christensen net and ended the season halfway decent. Looking forward to this season and will be bringing a big crew with me this year. Hopefully the sharing on this board will get us on the run at the right time. For us, I think that was more than half the battle. I would definitely consider getting the bag... It sounds like an investment and it is. You won't be kicking yourself when everyone's hauling it in and you're pulling sticks out of your net.
|
|
|
Post by fishman11 on Mar 7, 2017 7:56:07 GMT -6
PVC pipe the way to go, the boys here will tell u more, I'm checking in for the year What size, length PVC to get and how do you get the net tied onto it? Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by dominodaves on Mar 7, 2017 12:46:36 GMT -6
As for poles, my set up uses PVC pipes with the ends capped, with a small hole drilled to allow for drainage. The rounded caps make for a nice smooth side for gliding across the bottom. They are very light, don't retain water, and are very durable, and have never been replaced. One trick I learned years ago, was to add back ropes to your poles. It's really easy, just add a loop of rope about 6' long from the bottom of your pole to the top of your pole at about where the top of where the top line of your net is tied on. This line goes over your back, with it between your legs when pulling your net through the water. This way when you walk backwards your legs and back do the work. You won't have to bend over and pull with your hands and arms all night long! As for attached the net lines, just drill a hole big enough to thread it through and tie it off. Or just you could just tie them on the pipe, but then they slide down without a stopper.
Last year I had a guy come up and ask me "what king of gorilla are you"? I ask him what do you mean? He saw me pulling my net with ease with using just one hand on the top, that's all that's needed to keep the pole in contact with the bottom! He couldn't believe his eyes and wanted to now what I was doing or if I really had some kind of super human strength! I showed him the back ropes I had on my setup and was so happy that the trick was so easy! In hindsight, I should've played super hero!
BTW, with the other hand free it's easier to drink a beer while pulling your net!
|
|
|
Post by dominodaves on Mar 7, 2017 12:47:18 GMT -6
I will get the dimensions later today.
|
|
|
Post by Scout on Mar 7, 2017 13:56:26 GMT -6
Pretty excited about this upcoming run. New job with new hours so I should have more time to get out there!
|
|
|
Post by shredder on Mar 7, 2017 19:19:10 GMT -6
hey walleyeslayer, I use a drop net. I have an heirloom metal frame {stamped 1910) and had Christiansen make me a 5x5 custom net. I generally get all the smelt I want, but I'm not after hundreds of gallons like a lot of guys here are.
|
|
|
Post by Dougger on Mar 9, 2017 15:13:53 GMT -6
Hello, I want to try the Wisconsin point this year but have never tried this side before. Do I have to buy a Wisconsin license? If yes, where is a near by place i can go buy a license and how much should I be expecting to pay? Also, I've heard of people using Umbrella drop nets. Has anyone used this method with good success? Thanks in advance for the info. WI residents don't need a fishing license to smelt. Out of state $50 yearly 4/1/17-3/31/18. If its been 10 years or more since buying a WI license it's half price. 75x6ft is biggest seine you can use. Smelt are "running" in Chequamagen right now but you better bring an auger and ice fishing rod, lol! My buddy said 25+ guys on the ice this morning fishing for them. The bay is 95% iced over currently 20 inches of ice, it'll be a while, -8 tonight.
|
|
|
Post by walleyeslayer on Mar 9, 2017 15:48:57 GMT -6
Thanks Shredder, I'm just trying to figure out ways of catching smelts by myself and not count on other people to go up to Duluth with. I think i have another method of catching smelts now..!!!
|
|