Smelt catch breaking waves onto the beach on incoming tides to spawn. They are
often caught in several successive, mild rolling waves using A-frame surf dip nets or
Hawaiian throw nets.
Watch for bird and sealion activity to indicate location of smelt schools.
Spawning smelt prefer coarse, black sand beaches.
Equipment
Work either of the following nets into the waves to catch smelt:
A-frame nets, i.e. nets on rigid triangular frames of aluminum or wood (about
$100-125)
Throw net comprised of a circular net with lead weights around the perimeter and
a draw string to close the net around your catch
