To catch a Sturgeon from a kayak - Rod, Reel and Line choice?

I'm planning to build a rod to catch Sturgeon. These questions are for the experienced NWKA sturgeon fisherman.  What are the specs for a proper kayak sturgeon rod? What's a good choice in a reel and line to go with it?   

I have a tiger ugly stick and a abu garcia big game.  I have caught a couple of sturgeon with it... from a regular boat.  Although I bought it from a former member who used it from his yak.  I hope to use it from my yak this year.

I also have an Ugly Stik Tiger (BWC 2201-2 270) and an Abu big game (BG7001HS) which I have used, unsuccessfully, for sturgeon and halibut.

For a rod, I like a soft tip and a good strong backbone so the fish has a chance to pick up the bait and not feel any resistance from the rod, but when a decent sized fish is hooked I have a nice beefy butt section on my side to turn it's head.  For a reel I just match one that fits the size of the rod.  It's nice to have a higher pound drag rating and it needs to be smooth since they can take pretty good runs.  Power handles are nice to have.  I use 40 pound spectra because it's what I use on all my other reels.

What about rod length?  I'm hearing that aspect can be critical when fighting and landing/releasing a sturgeon from a kayak. Thanks

Mine is 7 ft

7-8 foot is a good a length. The bite can be very subtle, so a nice sensitive tip helps. Some or the 7'6" back bouncing salmon rods work well. You can then also use the for both sturgeon and salmon. My favorite all around rod is an okuma ce-c 762. It's cheap and works well for salmon, sturgeon, and Lings. I pair it with a 6601 Abu Garcia C4. It's not the perfect sturgeon rod but it works well. You could also go with one of the saltwater jigging rods if you think you'll hit the salt some.

I have one of the "standard" sturgeon rods like Demonick suggested, the Ugly Stik Tiger BWC 2201 70.    It's the 7' 0" 20-50 lb line rating, 3/4-6 oz.  You can catch monsters with this rod.  That being said, I was looking for an "indestructible*" jigging rod last year and picked up an Ugly Stik Tiger Lite Jigging Rod.  It is the BWCJL220063    6'3"   Heavy action 50-100 lb line 4-7 oz.  With an Abu C3 reel, I can jig all day long for rockfish, and paired with an Abu Garcia Alphamar I caught the largest sturgeon of my life with it a couple weeks ago.  I never use the larger Ugly Stik anymore because it is heavy.  I love the Tiger lite.  I picked it up at Fisherman's on sale last summer for $59.  Amazon has them for $55, Cabela's has them for $59.
http://www.shakespeare-fishing.com/concept%20pages/new_productpages/rods/big/ugly_tiger_lite_jig.html

* by indestructible I meant that it is very difficult to break one and if you do, they are not that expensive to replace. 

Braided line is a big plus for feeling the dino nibble. 

Big Ditto on the Ugly Sticks.  Very popular rods with guides on the Columbia as they take abuse well and priced right if replacement is needed.    For myself,  I find no need to use a high capacity reel with a drag rating qualifying it as a winch for Sturgeon from a kayak.   You are somewhat limited to how much pressure you can put on them from a kayak and they do not make Tuna like runs.   With even a decent sized keeper,  your pulling your kayak to the fish as much as the fish to your kayak until they run out of steam.   Braid has become the standard from boats to reduce line drag and in return demand a bit less weight to hold bottom along with it telegraphing the nibbles as stated.
Nothing else like running a Zig Zag course all over the water via Sturgeon Power.

 

I'd like to hear the safe method for landing the big ones from a yak. In the past few weeks I've landed two 5-8' beasties and both times found myself horsing them up to release using bare hands on the braid resulting in deep nasty cuts. Now I wear gloves, also keeps the people stink off my gear.




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I'd like to hear the safe method for landing the big ones from a yak. In the past few weeks I've landed two 5-8' beasties and both times found myself horsing them up to release using bare hands on the braid resulting in deep nasty cuts. Now I wear gloves, also keeps the people stink off my gear.




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I stick one hand in its mouth and grab the bottom "lip" tightly. The mouth extends out like a telescopic vacuum hose. That let's me lift the head out of the water enough to take the hook out with my other hand.

I'd like to hear the safe method for landing the big ones from a yak. In the past few weeks I've landed two 5-8' beasties and both times found myself horsing them up to release using bare hands on the braid resulting in deep nasty cuts. Now I wear gloves, also keeps the people stink off my gear.




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I stick one hand in its mouth and grab the bottom "lip" tightly. The mouth extends out like a telescopic vacuum hose. That let's me lift the head out of the water enough to take the hook out with my other hand.

You'll do that until you get your first one with a k14 already stuck in its mouth. DAMHIK

Ihop, what are you using for leader?

I have found that a really good way to handle dino's is to use thick dacron as leader and a really big(2/0 and up) barrel swivel to connect it to the mainline.  Those big black barrel swivels make an awesome grip point.  Pelagic had a good point regarding grabbing them by the mouth.  Look before you grab!  Those things suck up a lot of loose fishing gear and also break people off with the gear still lodged in their mouth. 

I have found that a really good way to handle dino's is to use thick dacron as leader and a really big(2/0 and up) barrel swivel to connect it to the mainline.  Those big black barrel swivels make an awesome grip point.  Pelagic had a good point regarding grabbing them by the mouth.  Look before you grab!  Those things suck up a lot of loose fishing gear and also break people off with the gear still lodged in their mouth. 

Heavy Dacron is where it's at.   I use 120lb, I used to use 150 but I can't find it locally.  Wear them out then use the leader as a leash to control them boat side.  If you have soft hands get a pair of mechanics gloves at home depot etc.