Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Seine Net for Smelting - Bag or Standard


Recommended Posts

Just checking to see if any of you have experience with the 'bag nets' from Christianson? They are double the cost of the standard nets - but do you really get that many more smelt with them? Also - 1/4" or 3/8"? I have had numerous smelt stick with the 3/8" but is a 25' 1/4" to tough to pull? Opinions please. grin.gif

Cruizin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Several of us that do a lot of smelting have the "Bag", "sock" or what we now call the "condom" on our Christianson nets. We all love them. Are they worth it? I think every guy who has one loves them and doesnt regret paying the extra cash for it.

I highly recomend it. You really do catch more smelt with them. Of course just the standard Christianson net is much better than a store purchased net anyways and will get you more smelt.

If you can afford it I highly recomend you get one with the "sock', "bag" or "condom". No matter what you call it you will enjoy it. Oh and get the 25'er.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Northlander - You sold me on the condom - now how about the mesh size 3/8" or 1/4"?

Cruizin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im not sure what size mesh mine is but if you call Christiansen Nets and tel them you are using it for smelt they will tel ya what to get.

After talking to Mark at Christiansen's he told me the majority of nets are the 3/8 mesh. Im assuming thats what I have. Ya I do get some that get stuck but not enough to worry about. The 1/4th may be harder to pull on a 25'er but Im not sure how much difference it makes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Northlander - Thanks for the help - I just came back with my 3/8" 25'condomized net. Now all we need is some smelt to go with it. Drop me a line for some additional information. wink.gif

[email protected]

Cruizin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Northlander, (or anyone else on this forum)

Stop in the shop next time you're in Ely, and I'll show you a little trick about bag seines that we used a few years back, works great.

And yes, a 1/4 mesh seine will be much harder to pull in current then a 3/8 mesh.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Guys,

If we ever get a chance to try them this season, we'll have to compare nets. I just picked up another Christiansen net sometime in the last three weeks. I took the net up that I shared with my brother and told them I would like the same thing.

I was thinking that the net size is 3/8th but after looking at the tag I have from the box it says 1/4th. We'll have to compare and see if that's the case.

I wouldn't buy one without the 4 X 4 bag in the center. That doesn't mean the standard nest wont do a great job for you.

When I purchased my net I asked them for some extra twine to tie up the sides to the polls. If you just tie them with the top and bottom ropes that are part of the net it will leave a big bow on the sides for the smelt to get past.

Christiansen Company was great to work with and I'm sold on the quality of their products and their service.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.