Willamette Sturgeon Thread - Fall 2010

The greatest dino fisherman I know fillets out the floater salmon (bring a clothespin or some Vick's vapor rub for your nostrils, or just dry heave, that's always fun too). Then he has a tube and a plunger (similar to a tampon applicator) that he packs the rotten mushy meat into. Then he pushes it into a cheesecloth sock, and wraps the hook and first 6"-8" of leader up the length of the sock and ties it off. Bounce that down the hole, they absolutely can't say no to that offering, and it's free of charge.

I used to fish floaters a ton below the falls in OC.   You could always tell when someone was fishing the "pink stink" by the yellow kitchen gloves, if you got that smell on your hands you had it with you for a while.  About 10 years ago I received  a "written warning" from OSP for using a floater summer steelhead.  I was told having a salmon/steelhead in possession, not recording it on you tag while using it for bait was a legal grey area (up to officer discretion).   Lampreys eels are also a killer bait but now not legal to use.

I'm tempted to call in sick one more time to go fishing tomorrow.  Floatilla?

Sturgeon fishing isn't a whole lot different than catfishing.  Shad, anchovie, herring, sardines, bluegill, crappie, sandshrimp, nightcrawlers, plugcut herring, flashers, dodgers, wigglewarts, prawn spinners, red & green gummy worms, squid, the list goes on.....

Your voice is sounding a little scratchy I.  And you look a little flushed.  I'm sure you'll feel better by Friday.

I'm sure you'll feel better by Friday.

that's what i just said

Probably the most popular bait is the live sandshrimp and nightcrawler combo.  I've caught a bunch this way but mostly undersized shakers.  A poster on ifish.net mentioned that the stores are sold out of these baits right now because of the opening weekend coming up - but buy 'em if you can find 'em.  If not, pick up some pickled and frozen squid.  Other's like to use shad, herring and more too, so ask around.  And I'm always willing to share some of the magic if that's what the fish want that day.  PM me with your cell phone number and we can talk more.

PM'd you my cell number.  Also, I was at Dick's off I-5 in Lake O about 1/2 hour ago.  They had some sand shrimp, but they were going fast.  I picked up a container plus some pickled squid and a carton of night crawlers.
-Craig

Just finished "fiddling" with my gear in the garage, which is almost as fun as fishing.  The weather is fantastic.  Sounds like Isaac will be joining us.  Anyone else?  Craig and I plan on a 7 am arrival so we can be fishing by daybreak around 7:30 or so.  There's still time to start feeling sick by tomorrow morning y'all.

i just finished tying up another half dozen hooks, which means i've got a ton of them now. freezer looks like i've still got plenty of left over bait... where you guys fishing anyways?

George Rogers park.

On the type of baits, don't forget your Safeway trout!  Two nice trout will go along way, or if you want to catch Piggy use a whole one.  Don't forget to safe your reciept -or you will have some explaining to do...

Good idea.  I will have to pick up a couple for next time.

Report!!!!!

I know its a power boat report, but fish porn is fish porn.  Hopefully it might inspire folks to get out there.  Fish were caught in a shallow "yak friendly" area on the Willamette.  Splashed the boat at 8am, back on the trailer at 10:15.   41 and 44 inches respectively (fork length).  Squid with scent..

Nice fishies PP.  No keepers for our threesome, but we had a good steady bite all morning.  18 fish between three of us.  Saw some keepers caught from PBs and all boats were having good action on most every bait.  I had my best day for quantity with 10 dinos caught (really nine plus one which is a good story over a scotch.)  My biggest was 34.  The weather was fantastic.  Thanks for the company Craig and Isaac.  Still want that keeper so I'm ready to hit it again soon. 

I only got two shakers.  Unfortunately, both were probably a little over half the size of PPs (if that).  I forgot my camera so DC took a photo of one of mine.  He and The Nothing did much better, but I won't steal their thunder.  DC and I saw one jump that was probably close to 8 feet along with a lot of other big ones jumping. 


It was a beautiful day out there and I had great time with good company.


-Craig

Craig's glory shot.  Lousy photographer.  Sorry about that.