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How to Make a Smelt Rig for Ice Fishing

Smelt fish belong to the Osmeridae family, and there are 15 species of smelt. The average smelt fish grows to around 7.9 inches although some species of smelt can grow as long as 28 inches. Smelt fish resemble salmon in shape but come in a variety of colors. Although smelt fish are eaten by a variety of sea fish, including salmon, they are also smoked, grilled, sautéed or baked for human consumption. Using a quick strike rig is one of the best ways to rig a smelt fish for ice fishing.

Things You'll Need

20 to 50 lb. test bronze stranded wire (uncoated)
Swivel
Heavy duty gloves
Heavy duty treble hook
Plastic tubing (shrinkable)
Small treble hook
Spinner blade
Crimp-on sleeves
Smelt bait

Instructions

- 1
  Cut your 20 to 50 pound test, uncoated bronze stranded wire to 24 inches.
- 2
  Attach your strong black swivel to one end of the stranded wire by looping the stranded wire through the hoop on the swivel and creating a knot. Use a Palomar knot if you plan to catch heavy fish. According to Animated Knots, the Palomar knot is regarded as one of the strongest and most reliable fishing knots.
- 3
  Put on your heavy duty gloves and attach a heavy duty treble hook to the middle of the stranded wire using shrinkable plastic tubing. Plastic tubing allows for the heavy-duty treble hook to move up and down the wire.
- 4
  Attach a small treble hook to the open end of the stranded wire using a Palomar knot.
- 5
  Attach a spinner blade onto the stranded wire using crimp-on sleeves, just above the heavy-duty treble hook. According to the Musky website, multiple hook rigs are illegal in some states, so attaching the optional spinner blade makes it legal.
- 6
  Hook your live smelt belt by pulling the hook through its head. You can pull the hook through its lips or through the nostrils.

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