mid Columbia sturgeon bait.

I have been having luck with herring but I don't know if I'm just catching the ones that are really hungry for  anything.just wanting to up my odds,what's your guys best choices of bait for fish from cascade locks to wash/or border.

If I ever get an invite, maybe I'll share my secret bait......

Extortion I like it.if the weather holds I'm going next weekend.

Well I was waiting for someone who actually knows to respond, but in lieu of that, here's me!

I haven't fished much above Bonneville for sturgeon. Down here what I've been told (and found to be generally true) is that you adjust your bait based on water temperature. Colder water I lean towards squid, warmer water I lean towards smelt or shad. I've found sand shrimp always work.

edit: I haven't had much luck on herring and anchovies, but I know some guys use these all the time and do well, so no idea on those.

But the best piece of advice I've heard about sturgeon: If you're not getting a bite after half an hour, move. I used to sit on the same "honey hole" for 4 hours to get a bite, but in retrospect I think they're right. Most days where I catch a few I start getting nibbles within 15-30 minutes of my first drop. And when that doesn't happen I generally don't catch anything until/unless I move. (There are always exceptions in fishing, I'm speaking in generalities here.)

So with respect to that later piece of advice, it may be more about location than bait, which I think is generally true if you're using any kind of decent quality fresh bait.

Good luck, report back!

Ok I'll bite, but only on the stipulation we all get together and do some fishing.

I like squid. My home made pickled squid works equally as good the store bought. My two largest came on roll mop herring but the bait is not nearly as tough as the squid. The squid can even last multiple catches let alone casts. I have caught sturgeon on salmon eggs, tuna balls, and herring also, but not as often.

By the way this stays with kayak anglers only!! Buwahaha!!

MrEgg


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Cpt red beard beat me to it. I second moving positions. I have found my best days in my fathers boat were search and destroy. Although my spot in that area rarely lets me down. I'm usually willing to make it an all day bank fishing event when I fish it. I'll even bring a pop up tent, coolers, my dog and chairs and just let my bait soak. Best days at that spot was with friends and family using two to three rods.

Mregg


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OK I just bought a bunch of stuff smelt,squid,pickled squid,sturgeon feast gel,sand shrimp.I will be tossing it all tomorrow after I feed cows and sort cattle in the morning.I will give you guys a report on how I do.

It seems to depend on the day but I think if it's smelly and down there they'll bite it. I've fished herring a lot, pickled smelt, squid, etc. I generally fish what I have in my bait freezer but if I were to rank them I'd say squid, pickled smelt, and then herring. A lot of people swear by live sand shrimp but I haven't noticed any difference between them and other bait. I think being in the right hole is more important than having the right bait. Every angler has their own favorite. 

OK here's a update.went to the mouth of the klickitat yesterday
1.  pickled squid:  had hits on it kept toying with it but no takers.
2.  Sand shrimp:  caught a shaker but lost by I could get eyes on it.they kept stealing it also.
3.  Herring:  lost a keeper right under my kayak.landed the second.

Didn't try anchovies or fresh squid.ran out of light.here's a pic of the 30" I did get in.

How was the wind up there today? I fished the sandy river and the wind made it horrible to get a good drift.


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OK here's a update.went to the mouth of the klickitat yesterday
1.  pickled squid:  had hits on it kept toying with it but no takers.
2.  Sand shrimp:  caught a shaker but lost by I could get eyes on it.they kept stealing it also.
3.  Herring:  lost a keeper right under my kayak.landed the second.

Didn't try anchovies or fresh squid.ran out of light.here's a pic of the 30" I did get in.

Thanks for reporting back - great info. Glad you found some takers!

It was calm and peaceful and warm.then as soon as the sun went behind the hill it was hard to stay warm but I bundled up and stayed out.

I prefer the squid and if I feel like mixing it up- buy a pack of that farm raised rainbow trout at Safeway.  The package of trout have two, cut them into two inch steaks.  Save the package with the purchase and receipt so not to get into a waste issue.