Fishing For

Surf smelt

5.0

(1)

44 Catches

Discover everything you need to know about catching Surf smelt. Explore the top fishing spots, see the most effective baits used by our community of anglers, and check out the latest catches in real-time. Whether you're planning your next fishing trip or looking to improve your technique, FishAngler has all the insights you need to land your next big catch.

Average Length

5.9 in

Maximum Length

1.0 ft

Maximum Weight

Depth Range

Temperature Range

Top Fishing Spots To Catch Surf smelt

4.0

(10)

North Pacific Ocean (Cockleburr Canyon-South La Joolla SMCA)

32.933038, -117.332507

12 Catches

4.0

(25)

North Pacific Ocean (Deer Creek Beach-Alamitos Peninsula)

33.845657, -118.450854

6 Catches

4.0

(14)

North Pacific Ocean (Hutington Beach-Long Beach)

Orange County, California

4 Catches

5.0

(3)

North Pacific Ocean (US/CA)

San Mateo County, California

Marin County, California

Monterey County, California

San Diego County, California

Top Baits For Catching Surf smelt

Natural Baits by Dead Bait Salt Water Squid

4.0

(86)

7 Catches

Natural Baits by Dead Bait Salt Water Atlantic Longfin Squid

4.0

(92)

3 Catches

Natural Baits by Live Bait Salt Water Anchovies

4.0

(21)

2 Catches

Natural Baits by Dead Bait Human Foods Chicken Meat

4.0

(104)

1 Catch

Natural Baits by Dead Bait Human Foods Bread

4.0

(171)

1 Catch

Natural Baits by Shellfish Salt Water Mussels

4.0

(12)

1 Catch

Natural Baits by Shellfish Salt Water Shrimp (generic)

4.0

(105)

1 Catch

Natural Baits by Dead Bait Salt Water Shrimp

4.0

(186)

1 Catch

Recently Caught Surf smelt

After a month without even a bite the biggest smelt I’ve personally seen swallowed the squid

Species Surf smelt

Gear 1

11 likes

Species Surf smelt

Gear 1

4 likes

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#noskunk

Species Surf smelt

Gear 1

22 likes • 2 comments

Took my niece out fishing on the Belmont pier yesterday morning. I caught a bucket full of bait fish, she caught this huge top smelt! I’m glad she’s taking to it .

Species Surf smelt

Gear 2

23 likes • 3 comments

Tough sledding at the pier today, but managed to snagged 5 decent size bait fish for later!

Species Surf smelt

Gear 1

18 likes • 1 comment

Species Surf smelt

Weight 2 lb 3 oz

14 likes

It was kewl

Species Surf smelt

Gear 2

15 likes • 2 comments

Species Surf smelt

Gear 1

11 likes

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Popular Fish Species

Largemouth black bass

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Surf smelt?

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