Smelt Fishing with Rod and Reel

[FireRanger]

Hey guys and dolls! Wondering if anyone here has ever gone fishing for smelt with a rod and reel? I have been nosing around the internet and have read a few posts about catching smelt on rod and reel through the ice. Thinking I might make a trip to Hinckley and try for some this weekend. Thoughts/experiences?

[corny13]

I have purposely fished for smelt on Lake Sakajawea in ND for smelt thru the ice.  Best luck with small bluegill type jigs tipped with small minnow heads  or waxes.  Relied on Vexilar to see the schools of smelt fished like crappies jigging thru and then pulling up thru the suspended school.  Was a lot of fun and didn't take long to get a bucket of 10-12" smelt.

[FireRanger]

Sweet! I'm trying to get another guy to go with me so we'll see if it pan's out. I have everything I need so it's just a matter of logistics.