Sturgeon Fishing Pointers

Hi all,

 I am looking to catch a few dinos this weekend and I was wondering if anyone had any pointers. I live in Portland and go to the Sellwood Riverfront park nearly everyday with my dog and I see guys fishing from the docks and they area catching 5-6 fish an hour!! (majority of them are smaller) And after seeing RR's anniversary sturgeon fishing post I want to give this a try.  I was thinking about hitting up the area right downstream of the Sellwood bridge. I have some herring and some squid to use for bait. 

Anybody have any advice on better spots or bait options? Heading out this weekend 5/18-5/19 ?  Let me know , as always I greatly appreciate the knowledge that is passed down to those of us new to the area!!

Cheers, Bernie

Do you have a deep water anchor system that can be released quickly?
What kind of rod/reel were you planning on using?  Most of the fish are smaller and light biters so a salmon rod works well (leave the broom stick home).
Herring and squid are great baits.  Doesn't hurt to bring some extra scent along you and  inject or coat your bait with.
If you don't get a bite within about 30 mins, move.

KB if I'm not fishing Merwin for Kokanee on Sunday you're welcome to join me. I can give you an on the water crash course.
I agree with bsteves, but if you've got a broomstick you may want to bring it as a backup rod. Hard to say with the outside temp dropping but the big ones were biting 2 weeks ago and a broomstick is nice to have if they are.

Do you have a deep water anchor system that can be released quickly?
What kind of rod/reel were you planning on using?  Most of the fish are smaller and light biters so a salmon rod works well (leave the broom stick home).
Herring and squid are great baits.  Doesn't hurt to bring some extra scent along you and  inject or coat your bait with.
If you don't get a bite within about 30 mins, move.

 
 I have an achor but I do not have a quick release for it, yet, my version of a quick release is a carbiner and a float on the line. As for the tackle I have a Shimano Calcutta 700B for a reel on a Offshore Angler 7'0'' xtra heavy rod,  its spooled with 65lb power pro ( I've caught a 75lb red-tailed catfish on this setup, so its sturdy)  I also have a Penn Battle 7000 spinning reel with a 7'0'' heavy ugly stick with 50lb power pro.  Neither are what I would call broomsticks, but they have plenty of backbone and are pretty sensitive.  Is there any advantage in having a casting reel vs a spinning reel?   I have some herring super gel I was planning un using, is it a must to have the stretchy string ?  I was planning on using circle hooks as well.

KB if I'm not fishing Merwin for Kokanee on Sunday you're welcome to join me. I can give you an on the water crash course.
I agree with bsteves, but if you've got a broomstick you may want to bring it as a backup rod. Hard to say with the outside temp dropping but the big ones were biting 2 weeks ago and a broomstick is nice to have if they are.

Let me know if  you head out this weekend, I'd love to get a crash course. I've got one little fella in the boat earlier this year but it was an accident. I'd love to get one in the middle of the road, I'm not picky.

I might suggest you add a length of 30lb 'fuse' between your mainline and swivel.  If you hook bottom (which is very likely) you'll likely end up cutting 50lb before you break it.  It's nice to be able to break off without leaving 100ft of braid on the bottom of the river. 

-Spot-

Bernie, I fish Sellwood a lot and do really well there for sturgeon. Lately I have been hitting the hole upstream from the bridge right where the golf course starts on the east side. There are three cottonwood trees and a white sign. Off shore from those trees is a great spot(90-100ft deep) that has been producing lately tons of keepers and quite a few over. I caught three oversized in a row there a couple of weeks ago and I also had a day recently with over a dozen in the keeper slot. This is by no means a secret spot but I still usually have it to myself when I get totally bored of trolling for salmon. It will be packed in July. As for bait, don't worry about that. It's all about location. I only use herring but squid, prawns, anchovies, sand shrimp, smelt will all work fine. Good luck