How to Rig Smelt for Pike

Dead smelt are effective baits for northern pike.

Anglers use a variety of baits and lures to catch northern pike. One of the best is a dead smelt, which is a small fish that pike feed on. Although fishermen sometimes choose to use dead baits because they do not require the same care live baits do, some places -- Canada, for example -- require that fishermen use dead baits. The best way to rig a dead smelt for pike is on a quick-strike rig.

Things You'll Need

• Quick-strike rig
• Bobber
• Split shot weights

Instructions

1. Tie the free end of a quick-strike rig the end of the fishing line with a Palomar knot.

2. Attach a bobber to the fishing line. The distance between the bobber and the end of the rig is the depth at which the smelt will hang. The smelt should be about halfway to the bottom, so if you are fishing in 8 feet of water, for example, the bobber should be 4 feet from the end of the rig.

3. Crimp two or three split-shot weights to the fishing line just above the quick-strike rig.

4. Place one hook of each treble hook of the quick-strike rig into each side of the smelt. If the rig includes a third hook -- it likely will be a single hook rather than a treble hook -- place that hook through the smelt's mouth.

References

• Ontario Fishing Network; Dead-Bait Tactics for Hardwater Pike; Justin Hoffman; December 2006
• Musky America; Quickstrike Rigs; John Myhre; 2011

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Animated Knots: The Palomar Knot