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

I have the Tiger and a Lamiglass, both used with any of the Penn 209 or larger reels I have.  I use braided 65lb line and the dacron leaders the hooks come with.  I like the Tiger because it's so tough and I didn't spend the extra $ on a Lamiglass until I was hooked on sturgeon fishing.  Tiger rods are like a Remington 870 shotguns- well made, reliable yet affordable.  I think the Okuma line of rods and reels are really nice too, I just haven't seen one put to the test yet.
YET.

How to tie the strongest knot for braided line - YouTube

Thanks, Ron and Jeff, yes, my rod is spooled with thick Dacron braid with a large snap swivel. There is no leader, just a barbless snelled hook. I'll look into adding a large barrel swivel. I'm still gonna wear the gloves!

It's sounding as though my 7'9" Redington CPX Salmon Rod rated for 12-30# line and 1/2-4oz wt. might work well for Sturgeon fishing too when paired with my Diawa Millionaire and 65# Braid main line. 

Maybe I don't need a heavier rod and reel?  I'm understanding that a large swivel and heavy dacron leader attached to that would help with handling boatside. 

It's sounding as though my 7'9" Redington CPX Salmon Rod rated for 12-30# line and 1/2-4oz wt. might work well for Sturgeon fishing too when paired with my Diawa Millionaire and 65# Braid main line. 

Maybe I don't need a heavier rod and reel?  I'm understanding that a large swivel and heavy dacron leader attached to that would help with handling boatside.

Sounds like it should work. I'd recommend 30-50 lb braid, even 50 can be hard to break off.

Thanks, Ron and Jeff, yes, my rod is spooled with thick Dacron braid with a large snap swivel. There is no leader, just a barbless snelled hook. I'll look into adding a large barrel swivel. I'm still gonna wear the gloves!

Hey H, the dacron on your rod is probably 50, if you step your leaders up to 80-120 lb dacron it should give you a much thicker line to grab onto.

+ 1 on the Dacron and barrel swivel,I generally use a few pounds less than my main line.
A if you don't mind spending a bit of money the shimano technium 8' sturgeon rod is one of the finest I have used and adds an enjoyment to the art of sturgeon wrangling.
As far as reels, Penns are nice durable but I feel the are not the best for this task, I prefer to use the shimano tld25 lever drag. 



-Rodney-

I realize that most ppl and members say that almost any rod reel setup will do but in my opinion I would rather be set up with something geared for a 10 ft monster as to bring in any fish with speed and conservation in mind, rather that just enough to make a fight with a 4' fun an hour + battle with any fish is strenuous and unnecessary. 


-Rodney-

Something that hasn't been mentioned, perhaps because everyone already knows, is getting them upside down when ready to handle them.   Guessing it is the tonic immobility effect common with sharks also.

Wondering if others set up a sliding sinker also.   Every guide I went out with basically had the same setup.  Main line to large swivel.  From that swivel, a 4 to 6' section of very heavy standard dacron that the weight slides on via a swivel or sinker slider. At it's end is another swivel with clip to attached to a standard dacron leader and hook. 

I have always used the same set up on my own boat and kayak but wondering what other set ups have given good results. 

From the boat,  we often used selected rocks picked up from the bank.  Attached to the rock via light cotton line that would break off when a fish was on.   I always like the lack of a wrecking ball being flung around by the fish and the price of sinkers was right.   

Used to use railroad spikes attached with 8 #test mono that would break during hook set, the ties were readily laying all along the Fraser river.


-Rodney-

I realize that most ppl and members say that almost any rod reel setup will do but in my opinion I would rather be set up with something geared for a 10 ft monster as to bring in any fish with speed and conservation in mind, rather that just enough to make a fight with a 4' fun an hour + battle with any fish is strenuous and unnecessary. 


-Rodney-

Rodney,
What's your "10 ft monster" rod/reel/line set-up? 

What size and type of hook is favored?

You know he was just hoping someone would ask that...   He does have a very cool sturgeon set up.  It is like "Dino Gear Porn"   

I too, have the Tiger with a Penn attached. It had been my sturgeon rod of choice until this year. I picked up a Saltiga G,  6'6", 15# to 40# and backed it up with a Revo Toro Winch 61. It is a sweet setup. The rod is so sensitive that I feel like I been using a stick these past couple of years. Seriously, the bite feels like an earthquake.

Good luck on your process.

Wobbler

I realize that most ppl and members say that almost any rod reel setup will do but in my opinion I would rather be set up with something geared for a 10 ft monster as to bring in any fish with speed and conservation in mind, rather that just enough to make a fight with a 4' fun an hour + battle with any fish is strenuous and unnecessary. 


-Rodney-

Rodney,
What's your "10 ft monster" rod/reel/line set-up? 

What size and type of hook is favored?

No picture can do it justice but here's a link
http://sturgeonrod.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/custom-kayak-sturgeon-fishing-rod/

The rod is a Phenix Black Diamond Hybrid, 8' Extra Heavy 30-80#

The reel is an Avet LX Raptor

The combo is incredible and any one who says there is no reason to buy high quality gear doesn't enjoy orgasms.


-Rodney-

Have you caught one on that set up yet?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I too have the Tiger/Penn combo (2 of them). 

For line I like to use 65lb braid but then drop the last 15-20ft to 30# mono.  While fishing the Willamette I noticed my braid was getting some serious abrasions on the rocks.  The mono helps prevent that quite well.

I also don't clip my sinker directly to the slider.   I tie 10# mono to it to help break it off easier in case of a snag.  I'd rather loose the sinker then the entire setup.