Willy Dinos Day 2 ....Graduate school

Well, a new era has dawned.  One in which I was able to actually fish two days in a row.  I woke up this morning and thought about shutting my eyes and drifting back to sleep. But, I had the hall pass to go fishing again, and I didn't want to blow it.  I got to George Rogers Park about 9:00 am and was anchored by about 9:30 am on the east side.  At about 10 am I caught what would have been my first keeper sturgeon ever.  It was a little over 39 inches.  Unfortunately, he didn't cooperate and I was unable to get a photo with the tape measure.  I needed both hands to hold him still.  Also, when the scutes started snagging into my drysuit, I felt it best to release him ASAP.




As I was kicking back all happy that I had just caught the biggest fish of my life, Bam! Fish on! This one did not want to come up.  After about a ten minute battle I got it up to the surface.  I wish I had an extra pair of hands to help measure it, but I did the best I could.  I let my soft tape drift downstream along side its body until it got to the fork.  The fish was moving its tail so I estimate it was between 45-49 inches.  I didn't have any need for an accurate measurement since it wasn't for any competition so I didn't want to stress it anymore.  I have to admit though, if I would have had a camera man, I would have loved to have been holding it with an ear to ear grin on my face.  I would have finally had an avatar worthy fish.    I pulled these photos from the video.






The fish and game guys pulled up next to me right as I let it go.  If I would have noticed them approaching sooner, I would have asked them to take a picture.  They were nice guys, so they probably would have done it.

A few minutes after I let this one go, a giant sea lion popped up behind me and scared the crap out of me.  It stayed in the area for a bit, then I saw it downstream by the rock island with a fish in its jaws. 

I was getting ready to quit at about noon when a couple of other guys came out.  They said they usually fish PC for rock fish, but had seen my post yesterday and wanted to give sturgeon fishing a try.  They asked a couple questions about rigging and anchoring and this was the result:



I believe they said it was 44 inches.  The guy holding it said he goes by the name B.C.  He didn't catch it, his friend did.  He was just measuring it for him.  Unfortunately, I didn't catch the other guys name. 

I decided to stay since I now had company, and hopes of catching another big one.   I had several other bites, and missed a few fish.  I also hooked two others and lost them.  Unfortunately, I had a hook up with another good one and lost it.  It may still may have a hook in its mouth .

Here is a video of some of the days action:
http://s526.photobucket.com/albums/cc344/cgmllr/willy%20sturgeon%202%206%202011/?action=view&current=Willydinosday2.mp4

VERY NICE!!!! Great job on the pics and video. Slayer!

Awesome day Craig!  I'm glad you hadn't developed those dino super powers before the NA contest! 

Nice report, great read and some awesome documentation!

-Spot-

See, all it took was a little Slayride mojo. Excellent work Craig. Something tells me you'll have a sweet avatar pic in no time.

Z

NIce Dino hunting Craig! great upgrades from yesterday.

I think sturgeon are the coolest underwater creatures alive.  So powerful, yet harmless and docile creatures.

Congratulations, on your new personal best. 

Nice work craig! Thanks for the report, great pics too!

Monday morning are always packed with meetings (which could apply to the pet peeve string?)  Nothing like preparing for a meeting by reading and watching an awesome fishing report. 

Great job giving that ugly stick some bendo.  And great report.

Hi Craig,
My fishing master who got the sturgeon is Scott Shin.
Scott got 2 more sturgeons after the first 45 inch one. One around 42 inch, the other one around 35 inch. It was his first sturgeon fishing ever. But, he has been fishing for 30+ years.
Thanks for the nice tips!!!
BC Lee

Hi Craig,
My fishing master who got the sturgeon is Scott Shin.
Scott got 2 more sturgeons after the first 45 inch one. One around 42 inch, the other one around 35 inch. It was his first sturgeon fishing ever. But, he has been fishing for 30+ years.
Thanks for the nice tips!!!

BC Lee

No problem. 

On a side note, I already told my boss I was taking the day off when/if the keeper season starts up.   With my luck it will be next week when I'm on the east coast.

I got the remote for the Playsport today, now all I need is the low budget vanity camera mount.  Wish I would have had it yesterday.