Higgin's Lake Smelt

[bluekim7]

A buddy and I fished Higgin's for smelt and ended up with 73 for about 4 hours of fishing. We used tear drops and hali jigs with waxies. Fish seemed to shut off at about 11:30 p.m though. Going again this weekend. Ice was good with about 10 inches in 65 FOW off the west shore. Anyone ever use a sabiki rig? Or anyone have a picture of one people use for snelt on higgin's?

[youngbuck26]

I use an 8 hook (i think) sabiki rig when fishing smelt on green lake in TC...I but a 1/2 oz glow hali on the bottom and tip all the hooks with red or white spikes...or pin head minnows when i can find them

Joe

[mikey]

I believe Higgins Sport and Tackle shop (across from the Silver Dollar bar) has them........ they look almost like perch rigs, except with more hooks and lighter line.

[gills]

Can someone post a picture of a sibiki rig for smelt please.

[gomer]

http://www.anglersupply.com/images/models/1824.JPG

The entire rig is a lot longer than what is depicted. The hooks are usually spread at least 6-8 inches or more appart depending on which brand/kind of sabiki you get. I have always just used a hali jig with 2-3 small teardrops tied 6-8 inches appart above the hali. It is much easier to control than a 4+ foot sabiki rig with a 2ft ice fishing rod...:lol: to each his own though

[RedSoxFan]

I used a Sabiki rig for Higgins Lake smelt last weekend, worked like a charm. Used both 7 and 10 hook rigs tied by a guy from the Jackson area. Though I only caught more than 1 smelt at a time a few times, it does allow you to fish a larger portion of the water column at once, giving an advantage. I really like the red/blue mousies and the smelt seemed to as well. Good luck.

[bluekim7]

Seems like it would be pretty easy to tie a leader with about 8-10 snelled hooks on the line with a hali jig on bottom and send it down. I am going to try tomorrow might so I will report after I get back.

[Take Five]

WE cut the rigs in half so there are 4 hooks and use a hali jig for the bottom. Get two units out of the deal and it is a lot easier to handle in the shanty.

Wayne

PS The card on them say the hooks are sharp.....THEY ARE!!

[bluekim7]

I know Higgin's bait and Tackle has them, but does anyone know if Pheonix Party Store carries them also?

[RedSoxFan]

Yes, I bought a Gamakatsu 7 hook smelt/herring rig there last weekend. $4.89 is a little pricey, but what do you expect, right?

[bluekim7]

Thanks REDSOXFAN. Just counting down the minutes until quitting time this afternoon.