Fishing For

Surf smelt

5.0

(1)

46 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

(26)

North Pacific Ocean (Deer Creek Beach-Alamitos Peninsula)

33.845657, -118.450854

6 Catches

4.0

(16)

North Pacific Ocean (Hutington Beach-Long Beach)

Orange County, California

4 Catches

4.0

(5)

North Pacific Ocean (US/CA)

San Mateo County, California

Marin County, California

San Diego, California

Monterey County, California

San Diego County, California

2 Catches

Top Baits For Catching Surf smelt

Natural Baits by Dead Bait Salt Water Squid

4.0

(101)

7 Catches

Natural Baits by Dead Bait Salt Water Atlantic Longfin Squid

4.0

(106)

3 Catches

Natural Baits by Live Bait Salt Water Anchovies

4.0

(24)

2 Catches

Natural Baits by Shellfish Salt Water Shrimp (generic)

4.0

(123)

1 Catch

Natural Baits by Dead Bait Salt Water Shrimp

4.0

(203)

1 Catch

Lures by Berkley Gulp! Fat Hollow Sandworm Natural

5.0

(1)

1 Catch

Natural Baits by Live Bait Salt Water Jack Smelt

5.0

(9)

1 Catch

Lures by Blacktip Sabiki #10 Mono Green Saltwater Rig by Blacktip BTSABIKIGN-10

No Rating (0)

1 Catch

Recently Caught Surf smelt

Steven Segura

4 weeks ago

•

San Diego County, California

Caught on sardines im gonna use his meat for cut bait tomorrow

Species Surf smelt

7 likes

Jay J

2025-05-26

•

San Francisco County, California

Species Surf smelt

Weight 3 oz

Gear 1

6 likes

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Ryan Sacco

2024-12-10

•

San Diego County, California

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

Species Surf smelt

Gear 1

11 likes

Joseph Kim

2025-01-22

•

San Diego County, California

Species Surf smelt

Gear 1

4 likes

Saul Gravy

2024-01-12

•

San Diego County, California

#noskunk

Species Surf smelt

Gear 1

22 likes • 2 comments

El Raptor Of Earth

2023-12-27

•

Los Angeles County, California

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

El Raptor Of Earth

2023-07-29

•

Los Angeles County, California

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

Remy Reed

2023-07-10

•

Monterey County, California

Species Surf smelt

Weight 2 lb 3 oz

14 likes

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Popular Fish Species

Largemouth black bass

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Surf smelt?

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