San Pablo Bay Sturgeon 1-16-10

Nor-cal northern part of SF bay . We launched at 10am on saturday. Alittle late but the high wssnt until 12:30-m so we were just lazy about it. I met John at Loch Lomand for bait. Some live Grass shrimp, live ghost shrimp amd some old stinky frozem mud shrimp. When we launched we headed north and passed some good looking spots that we would fish when the tide turned. Not much happening and at the top we relocated down a bit and I set the hook on the rise in a little channel. I missed 2 pumps being attributed to being a little anxious on the trigger for the years first sturgeon. At 2pm another tap and I was patient enough to let the tip load a bit more before setting. Fish On. A smaller undersize at 36 inches but hey I was on the board for a no-skunk. We had to be heading back to the launch so we could be out of the parking lot by 5pm as the ranger closes the gate at that time during winter hours. So at 4:15 last call goes out. I pin on the 2 remaining mud shrimp and at 4:20 I get that little tickle developing into a little rod pulse. I point the tip down to the water then raise it just a bit and watch the rod load up. Then I set and its a good fish. Exploding out of the water 20 ft in front of the kayak. Then bursting up current for 50 yard run. I pull the string and we are off. Zig-zagging around the kayak, coming up to the left side then taking off directly under the kayak was pretty exciting. !5 minutes or so Its alongside the kayak and I put it up against some hash marks and its over 46 by maybe a foot I think. Snare it and use my trusty ball-peen hammer and we are really happy. 16 days into AOTY 2010 and I have the most elusive of the species. Here are some pics and Happy New Years to everybody may you all have much success and safety on the water. Craig

Nice work!
Sounds like a fun fight!

If I said I wasn't jealous I would be lying! Looks like a beautiful day on the water, congratulations!

You just gotta love the hail mary hookup!! Congrats RB!

Z

Ah, the good old Bay area. It's where years back I bought my Sea Ox walk-around
cuddy pb which I lost in my divorce many moons ago. It was a bad day to die as the natives say. Nice fishy! Hope to try my hand at it pretty soon.
Tight lines and ripped lips.
Rich

Nice Dino you got there!  I spent over a month looking for a keeper this year so I can really appreciate how good it feels to get that one out of the way.

Are you going for an OG only card this year?

-Mark-

Hey Mark hows it going? No I am going for an AOTY crappie for sure. After I caught the sturgeon I was kind of fuming to think a 14 inch crappie could outscore the sturgeon. But like Zee said, its going to be fun and it shall. Onto to crappie heaven dude. But I will stick to Old School for the scoring