Quick GR sturgeon report

Hey all,

I hit GR for sturgeon today. When I got there there was a man and a woman swimming!

I fished for about 6 hours and caught 5 shakers. Biggest one was about 35" and fought well. I did have a huge fish on for almost 20 minutes when the leader snapped a few inches from the knot. I am using 30lb dacron for the leader (and 30lb braid for the main line). For those of you who fish sturgeon a lot, do you use a heavier leader than this?

Attached are pictures of the best fish and the swimmers

Nice job pdx!  Hey, is that an oversize sturgeon head in the foreground of the swimmers image?

As for leader, my guess is that it got nicked on the bottom or one of the fish's schutes.  30lb should be fine most of the time.

-Spot-

I just tied a bunch up with 50 lb dacron, but that is the only dacron I could find.  I had similar results as you today, but had to drive a lot further to do it.  No big fish break-off for me, though.  I came close to a keeper, but no cigar.

Nice job pdx!  Hey, is that an oversize sturgeon head in the foreground of the swimmers image?

As for leader, my guess is that it got nicked on the bottom or one of the fish's schutes.  30lb should be fine most of the time.

-Spot-

Thanks Spot. I think that is a rock in the foreground I was completely surprised (and pissed) when the leader broke!  I thought 30 should be OK for the leader but then I started to have doubts when I broke that fish off.

I just tied a bunch up with 50 lb dacron, but that is the only dacron I could find.  I had similar results as you today, but had to drive a lot further to do it.  No big fish break-off for me, though.  I came close to a keeper, but no cigar.

Sorry you did not hit pay dirt Craig. I think I will stick with 30 but replace it after each fish. If I break off another  big fish I will switch to tow chains

I had a small one roll itself up in the line.  I got him loose, let him go, and sent the bait back down.  It wasn't until I hooked the next one that I realized I didn't check to see if the previous one nicked my line.  I was worried i'd lose a keeper.   After that, I checked closely after each fish.

I had a small one roll itself up in the line.  I got him loose, let him go, and sent the bait back down.  It wasn't until I hooked the next one that I realized I didn't check to see if the previous one nicked my line.  I was worried i'd lose a keeper.   After that, I checked closely after each fish.

A month ago I caught 11 without re-tying  and I never gave it a second thought. I am fine with being taught a lesson. I would rather be skunked ( or lose a big fish) and learn something than catch a bunch and learn nothing.

I had a small one roll itself up in the line.  I got him loose, let him go, and sent the bait back down.  It wasn't until I hooked the next one that I realized I didn't check to see if the previous one nicked my line.  I was worried i'd lose a keeper.   After that, I checked closely after each fish.

A month ago I caught 11 without re-tying  and I never gave it a second thought. I am fine with being taught a lesson. I would rather be skunked ( or lose a big fish) and learn something than catch a bunch and learn nothing.

What about choice 3:  Catch a bunch, maybe or maybe not learn something, but enjoy some good brew while doing so.

That is a pretty fantastic second, but I still need to learn every trip out to keep me interested

A friend of mine used to have a great saying. The only thing better than catching fish is doing it when no one else is. You only get there by taking the challenging path. I fished 3 spots today.  A new spot in the middle of a deep hole l, a couple of bites but no fish. The known good spot - near the drop into the deep hole, 4 fish including the lost big one. Leaving that spot while they are still biting to try another spot near a drop, but with a bit less depth- a bunch of bites and one OK size shaker. However the tide was not running quite as hard. Clues, always more clues.

Don't be afraid to go heavier with the Dacron,  I have used 100-120lb for decades.  You rarely ever break a fish off, your leader even if frayed by rocks and sturgeon scuts will still hold and most importantly its easier on fragile baits to get half-hitches to hold and not cut into the bait with thicker Dacron. Its also way kinder to your fingers when you "leader" a fish when it comes time to release it boat side.

Well.... I had about the same luck as you did. Half a dozen shakers and constant nibbles. Frustrating, but sure made it fun at the same time getting lots of action!



My fish Liar quit working so had to guess on where the deep holes were.

I really really really really really really really want to catch my first sturgeon.

I"m glad somebody else is though.

Great videos browneysvictim!  Sorry we did not get to meet up. It looks like you had a great time and Sunday was the nicer day weather wise for sure!

Nice POV shots huh? I just stuck the Playsport in the chest strap of my PFD. It sure picked up my perverted mouth breathing though! lol!

Did anybody notice some of my ceramic eyes are broken/missing on the guides my sturgeon rod?  Anybody have recomendations on where to get good replacement guides, thread and rod varnish etc?

Erik

Nice POV shots huh? I just stuck the Playsport in the chest strap of my PFD. It sure picked up my perverted mouth breathing though! lol!

Did anybody notice some of my ceramic eyes are broken/missing on the guides my sturgeon rod?  Anybody have recomendations on where to get good replacement guides, thread and rod varnish etc?

Erik

Fishermans Marine has a box behind the fishing counter that's full of different sized random ceramic eye pieces. Drop by with your pole sometime. They should be able to fix it. They've fixed mine and did a pretty good job.
Also, nice job on the Sturgeon Video. Those Playsports take some amazingly clear video