JACK SMELT CATCH AND COOK: Cookstove and Cast Iron w Bacon Grease

Loaded with information and everything you need to know about catching and cooking freshwater Rainbow jack Smelt. Jigging for smelt with Garmin Panoptics Livescope. Cooking Jack smelt over a woodstove in a cast iron fry pan. Enjoying the fruits of the lake with great friends. Sharing the bounty.
Learn what lures to use, what depths to target, how to catch them with or without electronics, and how to catch them on a tough day.
Hali Jig: amzn.to/3ticrec
Swedish Pimple: amzn.to/3MaNB8F
Garmin Livescope Bundle: amzn.to/343LbHL
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[@Zorbawon]

Donnie, I made the mistake of showing this video to my wife. We love the stove you are cooking on and we have one similar to that in our garage. The stove and garage both belonged to my grandfather and when he upgraded his kitchen (November of 1941 just before Pearl Harbor) he put the stove in the garage. Later he converted it to use kerosene (but can be easily changed back to wood) and that is how we have been using it for years. When we moved into the house, it was always our intention to bring the stove back into the house. After seeing this video, my wife is planning out where she wants the stove placed! We love your setup at your home! As for the smelt, I fished them a lot with friends in Bowdoinham but, it usually ended up being a cooking competition in the huts on the ice. Cooking on the woodstove in the hut was lots of fun but the key to winning the cooking competition was to cook with bacon! Every time I started cooking with bacon the guys in the other huts came to me like I was bugling elk!!!!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

I will let him know for sure ! Neither he or I have rewatched this video since Barbie his wife passed away we can’t really bring ourselves to watch it yet .

[@Zorbawon]

Very sorry to hear that. In my previous comment I was going to mention that my wife liked Barbie and thought they would get along well but, did not add that since I was trying to keep my comment short. Please express our condolences to Donnie and family. RIP@@JoeHollandFishing

[@joshdyer3670]

Love the shout out to snoop dogg crazy high

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you.

[@stevekulbacki5238]

Great video! I really enjoyed the down east couple cook and eat the smelt priceless.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you, they are the best.

[@diane5247]

I never get tired of watching this especially when you arrive at Donnie's house. The house is so cool and that stove! Donnie and his wife are so welcoming and warm and they sure do love you. I enjoy watching Donnie cook it reminds me of my Dad. He loved to cook and feed people. Keep these great videos coming Joe you do an incredible job!!

[@markhabeck6614]

Nice thing you did there letting them enjoy the fish.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

They are the best.

[@brinkee7674]

I used to go to a diner in the town I lived in before and once per week they had fried smelt and it was awesome. Between haddock fish n chips or smelt I was living large never mind the fried lobster nuggets are to die for

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Wow I would agree

[@jaytwadelle8053]

Yup quicker rod with spring tip insert if you’re using spidey senses lol. You have to work a bit for em on that lake we look for 30-50’ of water. I’ve never used electronics before looks awesome.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thanks for the tips!

[@Westernmassoutdoorboys]

Smelt awesome bait after a good catch or two

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Truth

[@colinkobel2868]

Jo, yer a man after my own heart! We don’t have as many lakes in Montana, but there is generally good hard water fishing. I enjoy your videos.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you!

[@peterlaming7257]

Tasty fish

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Super

[@jonpetrichenko9416]

Those two are special people. So nice of you to think of them like you do.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you. They are incredibly thoughtful

[@philliplittle2916]

Hey Joe what a great episode Barbara and Donnie salt-of-the-earth state of Maine folks I'm a smelt fisherman myself went last night dipnetting weren't running yet though where I went I'll try again in a day or two Alesso hard and Barbara asked you if you wanted to eat some more of the row you were quickly answered nope an acquired taste anyways thank you so much for the episode so well done sorry for the book

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you so much

[@brinkee7674]

Joe you need to try some cod milt. You will love it

[@JoeHollandFishing]

I will look into it for sure thanks for the tip.

[@user-kk8xm5rk7b]

We fish in the deboullie area Maine public land so maybe we will run into each other sometime. Also me and my wife have gone to lobster lake for many years and canoe down the West Branch of the penobscot and we never saw that anchor. We also stopped at ragma stream campsite and that is where we caught a 21-inch salmon.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Awesome pretty good chance we make a Debuile run this winter

[@jasonwitham]

Thanks for sharing, Joe! Your friends are beautiful people, the good kind of New Englanders that make us what we are! Great fishing too!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you!!!!

[@bobkeese2854]

My wife makes fun of how much time I spend watching your videos… until she watched this one. She loved it. We think you should do more cooking shows with this lovely Maine couple!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

For sure thank you!

[@Ryan-rx8ie]

What a great group of people joining each other for a great catch and cook!, I dont know why but this is one of my favorite videos you’ve ever done.. Donny and his wife seem like such great people, you are very lucky to have such a great friend, as always joey great video and thanks for taking us along with you so we can enjoy it too!.. love the catch and cook vids!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you, I’m incredibly lucky to have them!

[@outdoorsfreak6152]

I have used spikes and waxies for smelt here in lower Michigan we also use green underwater lights to draw them in at night.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

That would work mint

[@fmchale840]

Great video Joe. I love eating smelts too.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you.

[@diont8100]

What an awesome couple you shared your catch with. Good job Joey.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@ernieferguson9513]

The tails are the best part.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Like a potato chip

[@johnemond2190]

I can remember back when I was a kid, my grandfather and dad using a big dip net to get smelt. Get them home and gram would fry them up for supper. Thanks for bringing back the memories.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Awesome

[@keithmcallister4917]

Another awesome video with awesome people. Just love when you have Donee in your videos he’s such a great guy and a true friend to you.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you so much, He is the best, i am super lucky for sure.

[@andyp4903]

My favorite video you’ve done this season Joe! Like going back in time. Good friends enjoying nature’s bounty together. Thanks Joe!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patrickwaldrich]

I want a fishing shirt that says "GOT EEEM!"

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Nice!

[@patrickwaldrich]

Seriously you could sell those at the ice cream shop lol

[@craigsavage6093]

Reminds me of when i was a kid smelt fishing on the Kennebec ( i think ) out of my uncles shack....that was almost 50 years ago. Man how things have changed. Great vid Joe!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

The Kennebec has excellent smelting

[@billlavoie7272]

Maine the way life should be ! Great video

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you.

[@stevebossie5803]

you want jacksmelts Joe come to long lake in Aroostook in early january. we got some 10-12in.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Awesome thanks

[@SattaBoysOutdoors]

I love smelt fishing. Especially now that I have a sonar and watch them interact with you is out of this world fun.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

For sure

[@KChandler9362]

Wind blows from the south, blows the hook in the fishes mouth

[@JoeHollandFishing]

perfect

[@joeslattery2197]

Reminds me of home on Lake Champlain in the old smelt days!! Love it

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Yessah thanks

[@JohnJones-vx7cr]

Stayed on from the last video. those are some small fish. Must take a number for a dinner. Not like the East Grand salmon.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

exactly and these are actually a large version of them. Most of them get eaten at a french fry size.

[@FreedomFishing]

Great tips, lessons, laughs, and people! The way life should be.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you.

[@leelantern805]

Great video Joey, your friends need to be on more videos, they are so sweet and entertaining

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you. For sure. Donnie is in a two parter from last fall metal detecting and fly fishing the north maine woods.

[@debbiegrooman5800]

I've had a fantastic time smelt fishing in northwest Michigan this year. I love the constant action and challenge. I use a Hali, too. And a spike or waxy, but a waxy is overkill. I do it at night with a green aqua light. This was my first year, and I'm hooked on the fun and the taste. Delicious!!!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Very cool

[@rolandlaviolette8451]

Pinhead minnows work great for smelt .

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@ghemmings791]

I love this. So much fun and so good. Thanks for sharing

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@PhotonChief]

I kept looking for my quarters because the arcade was about to run out of time! Smelt fishing looks like a lot of fun!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Hahah good call

[@Skank_Hunt42]

I love the " Nor Eastern " accent. I could just listen to you guys converse all day!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

It’s amazing

[@richardethier8091]

Joe I use to pop a eyeball out of the smelt and use that for bait which will stay on hook for many catches. When they are not biting good the eyes always caught smelt better than other baits

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Perch guys swear by it too!

[@sallyfrenette9643]

Great video. Those two are the cutest and they seem to adore you!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you. I adore them too!

[@cjharmon6176]

Another great video! Grinding and making it happen!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@bmx08897fitbikes]

Joe my parents always take a trip up it’s a few hour drive but just for fried smelt my dads always asking if I tried them. Donny and barb seem like really good people. Reminds me of how I bring my dad rainbows and he cooks them as soon as he guys them.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you they are the best

[@mikefannon9737]

Awesome job!!! Great friends had me in tears 😂 😂 good people!!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@talltimber4577]

What great company you where in Joe. That wood cook stove brings back so many memories from my childhood. 👍👍👍

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you.

[@fishlovme]

My biggest smelt ever was 11 inches long. When they got into the Great Lakes 40 plus years ago people used to dipnet five gallon buckets full of them at a time! Now you're lucky to even get a few, except for up on Lake Superior - there's still a descent population. But on Green Bay I rarely catch them anymore. They are tasty!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Interesting thank you

[@alexstillman1285]

wow thats awesome Joe.i have to get some smelts now.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Sooo goood

[@precisionanglingYT]

Good one Joe!!! Loved that old wood cook stove!!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

It’s amazing, thank you buddy

[@paulym5814]

My dad used to crush up saltines and dredge the smelts in the cracker meal then fry them up in the cast iron skillet.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Wow that sounds great

[@christopherwiley8964]

Can't wait for the next one joe keep um coming budy

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thanks bud

[@jameyroy7344]

Outstanding episode Joe. Takes me back to my roots in Northern Maine.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@coyakbrian3411]

Joe that video made my heart grow two sizes! Awesome time after the fishing is what it's all about

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Awesome thanks bud !

[@mainlyadventures8890]

Can’t wait love the videos joe keep up the good work

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you!

[@benrogers5808]

My favorite ice fishing. Jigging smelts on Scotty. About 25 of those and I’m in fried smelt heaven. Great video Joe. 🦞

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Absolutely,!

[@Kayhaw40]

Great video. Looked yummy.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@robtheflukeking6678]

i was waiting for a smelt video with that cool electronics. i want one. smelt are all we icefish for,so much fun.thanks joe

[@JoeHollandFishing]

For sure enjoy

[@deborahcrews5259]

Can't you use multiple hooks on your line???

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Yes

[@Mainelywork]

🤘Save me a tail!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Tasty!

[@davestelling]

This one put a big smile on my face, Joe - felt like I was right at home...

[@JoeHollandFishing]

thanks buddy

[@griffinholgerson8732]

I love videos I haven’t seen An old stove like that in a while

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you,

[@dhancho7696]

Joey please take Barbra and Donny fishing

[@JoeHollandFishing]

It’s possible, I have another video with Donnie I shot last fall metal detecting and fly fishing

[@billrobinson8149]

Would be a great video

[@shawnchabot3163]

Great video brother, love how you shared your catch at the end. Cheers

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@brianaudet6220]

Donny is the best. My favorite Joe Holland video is the fly fishing/metal detecting video. Hope to see those axe heads refurbished soon!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you that was so much fun we are planning next years trip already

[@fast4thusmc]

This an awesome video Joey lol. I would love to seat and just listen to stories that I'm sure that Don has. Seem like awesome people.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you. They both have amazing stories, often shared over food.

[@aarons808]

My goodness! I can't get enough of Donny! Him and his wife seem like absolutely wonderful people. I can't help but smile while I watch the video. Thanks for sharing this with us Joe!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you, sadly we lost Barbie this summer. She meant so much to me.

[@patrickwaldrich]

@@JoeHollandFishing So sorry to hear that. They seem like such good, happy people. What a special bond you have with such good friends that you will always remember, and a good chance you got so many memories on video!

[@saltyfisherman603]

I can remember going to YOKENS their she blows hahahahahahahaha the sign is still their I live in Southern NH

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Oh neat it was fun to hear Barbie talk about it

[@christophersears8499]

Luv it Man 👍 more Catch and Cook with that guy and his wife on upcoming Videos I hope , good Chuckles and informative cleaning and cooking of the Smelt , only used them for Bait , never ate them. Keep up the struggle on the Frozen Tundra while it's still here keep hitting it hard 'til the end of the season Brotherman. Be Safe from Boston 💪💪💪 🇺🇸 !

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you will do!

[@mikekroschel4411]

Hi

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Hi

[@shayn4220]

Never had them but on the wood stove and the oil , looked omg so good , wow , put them on crackers lol 👍🏻, awesome video , I love ice fishing,

[@JoeHollandFishing]

For sure thank you

[@johndunkerton5126]

Shore lines are getting tough to get on by me sad to say but ice fishing season may be almost over for us Worcester county guys

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Bummer

[@cindyheath2047]

Have you ever tried shrimp

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Eating them or using them as bait?

[@capturehishonor9292]

Can you catch smelts in a bait-catcher or at least with multiple hooks? I watched fishermen (KZbin) spend the night in a shack on the Kennebec fishing for a few smelts. That would be too slow for me. We used to net smelts in small brooks by the garbage can. Then they reduced it to a few quarts. Not sure if netting is allowed today. We cleaned our smelts with a small pair of scissors and fried coated with pancake batter.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

You are allowed multiple hooks

[@capturehishonor9292]

@@JoeHollandFishing Has anyone you know tried catching smelts with a bait catcher (with the small hole on each end)? Fish are more apt to pursue and bite if they see another fish rapidly pursue potential bait. For instance, there's a great rig for catching several mackerel at once in open water. Rather than bringing up one at a time, a similar rig that works for smelts could bring up many. Also, larger smelts could be kept alive and used to catch large game fish.

[@danthompson1467]

👍👍

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thanking

[@tomfarrington8485]

Joe i live in thomaston and my dads a guide on moosehead. I would love to go smelting on damariscotta lake with you in trade for a day of spring trolling on moosehead? Let me know

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Thank you

[@duanevigue1603]

Wait, what lake were you on?

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Lake Ricky

[@kirkvermont7965]

Hi Joe, Did you keep the old girl;. or just breaking out a new vid? Joe, no matter that business, nice job as always!

[@JoeHollandFishing]

It’s the old girl, thin ice

[@jackinthewoodsii8653]

Did you say "Thunk" or "Thump"? Turn down the gain on that sonar, so much on the bottom stuck down there.

[@JoeHollandFishing]

Livescope gain was good for picking up such a tiny fish 38-50 foot down. Color gain was a little high. Livescope doesn't get great bottom separation.

[@jackinthewoodsii8653]

@@JoeHollandFishing Thanks for the reply.

[@robertjundt9603]

Kinda like fishing for sardines lol 😂 you’re definitely a fishaholic lmao

[@JoeHollandFishing]

For sure