[Steelie Trav]

Well I just got my first sturgeon rod and want to put it to the test. So I was hoping to get some questions answered if possible.

First, if the big one does hit, what are some good suggestions on how to properly handle it into the shallows? I have heard talk about tying the tail to a soft rope while landing it, form what I understand this is for tagging reasons?

I guess I am looking for some good starter information to get me ready. Handling of the fish is one thing that I am most curious about.

Hoping to get out on the lower fraser this week if possible!

Cheers

 

[HOOK]

hey Trav

try to have a buddy or two woth you just incase the big one hits cause they tend to take more than one person to land them

are you going to try from shore or boat ?

HOOK

 

[fishortho]

Hey ST.........What kind of reel and rod do you have?? If you hook any fish over 4 feet they are easily released at the side of the boat. Bigger fish in the 5 foot and up catagory might be best taken to shore if you want a photo op. If not, they too can be released boatside, but only if you have a big boat!
Their tails are very powerful and if you go to shore with a larger fish do not stand in the water beside them or they can knock you off your feet. Just play and release as you would any fish. They have no teeth and release is usually a fairly simple proceedure. One on the rod and the other person does the release...........Good luck!!.......Ortho 8)

 

[GOFISH]

I'm sure you will enjoy hooking into your first big Sturgeon Trav ........... good luck.

I prefer to use a sliding weight (same as steelhead setup) to see even the slightest nibble. Sometimes they just hold the bait in their mouth and suck on it so it wouldn't even move a heavier weight. The "steel cable bar rig" type setups are fine but I find they are prone to tangling sometimes.

Fish with at least one other person ....... you'll need the help to navigate the boat and landing the big one. I agree with Ortho, 4 feet or so is fine to release from the boat .... something bigger though and you may want to drift and/or head to shore. Always keep a pair of pliers handy ..... the grissle around the sturgeys mouth is tough ..... even trying to take out a barbless hook is tough sometimes.

Keep an assortment of bait around ....... eulies, worms, fresh roe (uncured), ditch eels, and other goodies ......... you never know what the treat of the day will be.

Look for "deeper pot holes" where sturgeon like to reside ........ first fish just above the hole, then in, then just leading into it ...... if you are using the right bait it won't take long to get a taker.

I don't like to tail tie a sturgeon but if you have to please use a soft rope not to harm them. They have no teeth and a rubber-like plunger opening for a mouth ...... just get a good grab of the mouth to pick up the smaller ones and support them by the tail. Watch out for the backs as they can be sharp on the small ones and leave you a pretty good boo boo.

If you have specific questions let me know .......... I 'll try to do my best to help you out.


GOFISH 8)

 

[Steelie Trav]

Thanks for the info guys. I will most likely never be out by myself for strugies and I will be fishing exclusively from my boat (16ft)

Ortho, I will be using my abu 700 with 85lb braided on a new Shimano Taldora 7'0" Rod. I have yet to pick up a second rod but I know that it will be a cheapy for now (it will be used by whoever ends up coming along and not me ;D )

As for the tail, or tailing of the fish. My question is, is there any reason to tail a strugeon (with rope) and if so why? Or is it only used when tagging them to keep them steady?

 

[Guest]

isnt the Shimno Taldora rated for 80-200 pound test, Hubs has a rod by shimano thats insane, at the fishing show atthe tradex they had like 4 guys bending the hell out of that rod and couldnt get it to break

 

[Steelie Trav]

Its a nice rod for sure! I can't wait to get it bent...haven't tried to break it yet though

 

[GOFISH]

Some rope the tail of a big sturgeon to keep it steady and control it. Is there a reason to?? Guess that depends how close you've been when a big monster decides to give it a wag.

No need to in my opinion.

GOFISH 8)

 

[89RS]

Has anyone been fishing for sturgeon lately?

 

[marko]

Not to get off track and maybe I should start a new thread but does anyone know of a scheduled
annual swap meet for fishing equipement? ....Thanks ...Marko... ;D

 

[GOFISH]

My buddy and I were out December 16th and 23rd ......... quite quiet but nice for sure. Still managed to hook into a couple nice ones.

I don't know of an annual "swap meet" for fishing equipment Marko. Typically there are two things a fisheman won't do .......... part with his fav. rod, reel or what have you ....... and ...... tell anyone (specially the wife) what he paid for it to begin with.

GOFISH 8)

 

[fishey]

on kinda the same note, i heard theres a yearly fishing show, kinda like the boat show at gm place. If this is true when and where is it?

-fishey

 

[Guest]

There is a sportsman show at the Tradex and a couple other places as weel, I think its March 2,3,4 maybe someone on here knows more about it

 

[Mike D.]

Oh buddy, your in for some fun now. You'll be hooked faster than the fish hehe. :

- Wait for the rod tip to move in a slow and lenghtly motion up and down, if it is quick and short it will be garbage fish like sqaw or chub etc.

- Depending on what I'm using I like to run about half an arm lenght leader, but have been experimenting with some shorter 6"-12" leaders and yes they work too....I reccomend using tuf line or "sturgeon leader" for leader, but heavy mono will also work, but it frays....

- Now when you go to hook your whale: don't go up to the rod and reef right off the bat, as the fish is inhaling you bait, remover the rod from the holding device, point the rod at the fish and wait for that slight tug, SPIKE! pull on that S.O.B. as hard as you can and than try to spike it 1-2 times again to make sure for a good hook set....now be careful....don't pull a muscle or anything....

- Baits: I like to keep it natural, anything that will be in that river can be used remember that. Don't worry about keeping it sparse....big gobs, chunks etc. are fine.
Roe: I've heard people say to use the roe from what species is running in the river......bull....use what ever roe you have, in May I was using last septembers sockeye roe, and had absolutely no prob getting sturg to the boat.....but if you want to say that socks are running in may be my guest....

- Anchoring: I've caught sturgeon in 8-40 feet, don't be afraid to fish the 8-12ft range or reely narly water. I will also add, be courious of others when anchoring in the hole, if you see that others are fishing the hole do not pull directly below them and anchor this will piss them off, they'll be working their way down the hole. Go off to the side.

- Hot Spots: Just look for the clusters of boats ;D

- Now when you see your line coming up to the top of the water the fish will jump! maybe....be careful they tend to have a up close and personal look with the "hooker" before they give up....

- Basic set up I like to use.....on the mainline string on 1 salmon bead, follow that with a bar weight in the 14-18oz weight depending on depth speed etc., than follow with another salmon bead. Tie on a big ass swivel and your leader with a 7/0-9/0 hook on the end, and your bait. Presto, long bomb it or short bomb it. Try to stagger the rods if you can.....

Good Luck
Mike <")))))))><

P.S. A pair of work gloves or those tough man gloves are a good idea! keeps the slime off, and those small buggers have pretty spiney, hand slicing tines!

 

[GOFISH]

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
FEB 7, 2007 - FEB 11, 2007
BC PLACE STADIUM

Well worth the price of admission.

GOFISH 8)

 

[DMW]

Lot's of great info guys. I am going to get another Sturgeon out fit as well, time to upgrade, as I was using a berkley Glowstick and a 7000 with 80 lb tough line. That landed me some nie fish between the 6-8 foot range, but I want someting bigger now. I am looking at the Tld and the Technium. Or one of the Penn Reels Like the 320 or 330. Any thoughts? I am in no hurry as I won't be using it until may.

 

[Steelie Trav]

Thanks again for all of the info. I will be looking around for another sturgie rod sometime soon.

Mike, thats some good info there.

 

[roscoe-pco]

fish the bottom of grassy bar, nice sturgy hole.

 

[Mike D.]

Lot's of great info guys. I am going to get another Sturgeon out fit as well, time to upgrade, as I was using a berkley Glowstick and a 7000 with 80 lb tough line. That landed me some nie fish between the 6-8 foot range, but I want someting bigger now. I am looking at the Tld and the Technium. Or one of the Penn Reels Like the 320 or 330. Any thoughts? I am in no hurry as I won't be using it until may.

I am currently running 2 penn 320gt2's with 100lb braid tuf on them. They have performed pretty good so far. I've popped these on Trophy XL sturgeon rods...not bad for the buck.

This past season I got the oppouritunity to use the Shimano TLD 20 on the technium also made by shimano. This set up to me is the cats meow. I was totally impressed on how light it was when fighting fish around 6ft in length. The only shitty thing about the TLD is that it doesn't have that level wind threader thing that follows the line (if you know what I mean) and if you don't take time when casting well the line backlashes and you end up with a short cast.....

Anyways to cut to the chase. If you have the $$$$ to spend on a setup go with the TLD on a Tech if not, try a Penn 330gt2/TLD 20 on a Big Cat or Trophy....

I know on my next sturgeon setups I'm hoping to get this spring I will be running Techniums with Penn 330gt2's spooled with 130 power pro.....if your wanting to save some dough Penn reels are where its at, if you have money to chuck the TLD is where its at....hopefully this makes sense....but we could get reely technical on this aswell...

Mike <")))))))><

 

[DMW]

Thanks Mike. I know what you are getting at. TO be honest, after looking them a bit more, I actually think I like the 320 or 330 a bit more anyways. So I think I know what my set up will be. All I need now is a buddy with a boat that likes going out a lot!! ;D ;D