Smelt Fishing in Great Bay Ice fishing Access???

[47onthewall]

Most of the rivers, you figure a couple hours before high tide to an hour after. If the tides are small and the current isn't too strong sometimes the outgoing is OK. I've caught smelt in less than a foot of water on the Oyster River on the outgoing tide, but that is an area without a lot of current. People who know the Bay well (not me!) will fish the outgoing with success.

[cold waters]

i am going to give smelt fishing a try for the first time tonight.... will let you know how i do...

[oddfish]

CW, when are you going. I didn't get out this morning so I am jonesing.

Oddfish

[cold waters]

I am heading out about 8 PM going to be on Great Bay. then we are going to try to stay thru the tide

[oddfish]

Good luck, I'm banned for leaving tonight, especially if I want to go tomorrow.

Odd

[Merrillizer™]

I wonder where my nephew RacinJason is? He has been ice fishing great bay lately, but isn't posting reports. I'm gonna have to give that boy a call and straighten him out!

[Administrator]

This thread seems to be pretty important and offers some great info so I Stuck it to the top of the forum

[SudsNSoda]

Yes, still as of me writing this, the Great Bay is still producing far more smelt than any other local smelt fishing locations. This has been without a doubt our busiest smelt fishing season at my store in years.... We've had so many guys still randomly catching smelt anywhere from 15lbs, to yes, even 60lbs per shack....(yes there is a 10qt limit per person)... but there could be more people in the shack than just one. Of course not everyone can be doing something all the time.... but for all the people that are out on the bay, at least 1/3 of them are doing big catches, and the other 2/3 are either doing 20 to 60 fish, while a few of course get skunked... However this is still far superior to any reports that we have had from the squamscott.

Why is the bay doing so good this year? 1: Early Ice, 2: Early Ice Grows Algae, (Good Algae supply on the ice keeps a lot of the smelt from roaming to far) 3: Eel grass... the bay has made a darn good comeback on eel grass.

When are they biting: Its never the same formula for every one from day to day.. some days they hit hardest just as the ice is lifting off the mud. Some days it is an hour before high, some days only outgoing tide... the main thing is just get out there.

How do you get on the bay..... go to the old "Great Bay Retreat" 349 Newington road, in Newington... pay a small donation for parking, anywhere from $2 - $5 would be appreciated. Park right on the edge of the bay, and you will see the huge number of successful shacks out there.

Any further questions: call us, or stop in at Suds N' Soda (603)431-6320
We will set you on the right path for a great time smelt fishing. We have everything you need right here, and of course knowledge of what's going on and where..... so far it isn't the squamscott river..... good luck.. jason

[fishstarcraft]

U could try the river in Durham off rt.108. Had good luck there but fishing is fishing . It's luck when they come in , You have to b there at the right time .Armand good luck.

[pedro062261m]

has the bay been doing good was out in town last night fished the incoming an got nada might try the bay but dont want to walk for miles to catch a dozen fish an a cold were can yaget onto the bay without haveing to use a four wheeler from the place of newington rd