South Puget Sound Surf Smelt/Herring

Did you freeze them so you can use them as bait to catch salmon? How cool would it be to catch a targeted species with a targeted species?? That sounds like good luck to me.

I was a little bummed because their scales come off so easy so I doubt I will use them for salmon but I could use them for halibut, mackinaw, burbot, or sturgeon.

Glad to see you caught some herring, how many did you end up with?

I only ended up with two but I unintentionally released several more. They come unhinged off the little jig hooks pretty rapidly and they seem to have a special ability to find their way to the hole created by the mirage drive. I was pretty frustrated to say the least. I think next time I might take an butterfly or dip net to scoop them up and keep them contained plus it would result in lower scale loss. 

yea you gotta put them right into a bag for sure, they sure do have an amazing ability to squirm free!

Thanks for reporting back - cool stuff. I'd love to take a few hours and try to rustle up some bait - anyone know any good spots for this in Tillamook, Nehalem, Netarts, or Yaquina bays (or similar areas)?

That's what I found today (see the link below), there is a map of herring spawning areas. I might go fishing Saturday or Sunday in Edmonds or Mukilteo area, they aren't on that map though.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/fisheries/PacificHerringInformation_121911.pdf

I did a fair amount of jigging for herring last year.  I always had an ultra light rod with a sabiki rig tied on.  I found that a few pieces of tiny cut "fishbite" increased my catches.  Every other hook or so.  Ive even dropped this set up to the bottom and caught flounder.. Really fun on ultra light gear..

Here's a report on herring fishing from a recent Brookings Pilot.

http://www.currypilot.com/Sports/Sports/Herring-arrive-in-Crescent-City-Harbor

It describes handling the fish to preserve the scales for bait purposes.

 C_Run,
He also has a good write up on a terrific lure repair material just under the herring preservation article.   
Nice find.

C_Run,
He also has a good write up on a terrific lure repair material just under the herring preservation article.   
Nice find.

I have his column bookmarked and read it every Saturday. It's always got some good useful information.