Whitebait Smelt
Allosmerus elongatus
A small, slender silvery fish found in Pacific coastal waters. These delicate fish are more commonly used as bait than targeted by recreational anglers.
Whitebait Smelt at a glance
- Scientific name
- Allosmerus elongatus
- Typical size
- 3-6 inches
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Inshore
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Whitebait smelt inhabit shallow coastal waters and estuaries along the Pacific coast. They form large schools and are typically caught with fine mesh nets or small hooks when used as bait for larger species. Anglers occasionally catch them incidentally while fishing for other species in shallow water.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a whitebait smelt through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksWhitebait Smelt questions people ask
Whitebait Smelt is Allosmerus elongatus.
A typical whitebait smelt runs 3-6 inches. Cobia records the length and weight of every whitebait smelt you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Whitebait smelt inhabit shallow coastal waters and estuaries along the Pacific coast. They form large schools and are typically caught with fine mesh nets or small hooks when used as bait for larger species. Anglers occasionally catch them incidentally while fishing for other species in shallow water. It is a salt water species, filed under inshore in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.