I have tried everything else...Desperate man seeks legal sturgeon

There was a post on ifish today. Someone said
They had gotten a keepers each of the last three weekends. Their advice was to fish shallower than you think, 20-25', and between I5 and I205. They were banking it. I can not vouch for the validity of the info but wanted to let you know what I had heard.

Good luck.

My map is called "Columbia R. Bonneville to Pacific Ocean including Portland" by the Fish-n-Map Co. (fishnmap.com). I bought this one and the one that covers Bonneville to McNary. Got them at Fisherman's Marine for about $8-9 each. They also make a Willamette map.

They are printed on a very large double-sided waterproof plastic sheets and broken up into about 5 separate sections, they include comments on various fishing spots, marine features (depth contours, pilings, clearances, etc.), Marina details, GPS coordinates and even comments on Fishing Strategy. They're great maps and good to carry on a kayak.

iHop

I am up for the pursuit of the elusive keeper sturgeon.  The Friday the week after Thanksgiving is out for me, though.  However, the Thursday could be doable.  I may try next Friday, though (day after thanksgiving).  I may even try the morning of Thanksgiving.  If I do that, it will probably be at Kelly Point Park or somewhere else near Portland.

Hey Craig let me know if you want to go the day after thanksgiving. I should have a pass.

I will do so.  I will put up an open invite.  I would probably hit Rooster Rock if I do.  There are a few holes in that area and the trip from the launch to the fishing grounds is current free.  Makes for an easier return trip.  Also, Washington folks could hook up with us, as well.

It would appear none of this has been set in stone yet, but is there sort of a plan as to where? So far its run the course from I-5 to Bonneville and sorta hard to figure (maybe that's the plan) The reason I ask is because I'm curious about the conditions for those of us who paddle. I may be able to join up the day after Turkey Day (Friday- 25Nov11) and would like too, but not up for a marathon day of paddling.

The tentative plan is to launch from Chinook Landing for the Oregon contingent and paddle about 1 mile or less upstream to somewhere below the Power Lines across from Lady Island.

I'll be launching from Parker Landing (Camas-Washougal Marina) and sailing downstream to meet the gang. It's about 2 miles downstream from Parker Landing to the Power Lines.

Choose your launch point.

For those people who are paddling, or for the older legs amongst us. Why not launch with Hop and travel down stream to Chinook landing.  If you do catch a keeper you will end up on the Oregon Side. It just takes two.

If you are talking December 1st, then yes I am on for the morning.

Stevehawk

For those people who are paddling, or for the older legs amongst us. Why not launch with Hop and travel down stream to Chinook landing.  If you do catch a keeper you will end up on the Oregon Side. It just takes two.
Stevehawk

That sounds like a plan I can handle.  I've fished sturgeon from a PB at Bonneville and the Willie, and kayaked for 8 years and now want to combine the two.  Dec. 1st works for me, or any day that week.  I have a trailer for two, and could be half a shuttle between Chinook and the Camas launch site.  What type of anchor is best in that stretch of water and how much weight on the line, 4, 6, 8+ oz.?

Indy

For those people who are paddling, or for the older legs amongst us. Why not launch with Hop and travel down stream to Chinook landing.  If you do catch a keeper you will end up on the Oregon Side. It just takes two.
Stevehawk

That sounds like a plan I can handle.  I've fished sturgeon from a PB at Bonneville and the Willie, and kayaked for 8 years and now want to combine the two.  Dec. 1st works for me, or any day that week.  I have a trailer for two, and could be half a shuttle between Chinook and the Camas launch site.  What type of anchor is best in that stretch of water and how much weight on the line, 4, 6, 8+ oz.?

Indy

On the Columbia, I have been using anywhere from 8 to 12 ounces.  Usually, 12 ounces.  I may grab some bigger pyramid anchors today if I get a chance.   I have less tangles with pyramids than the cannonballs.

I use the "bsteves" type anchor system in the Columbia with a 15lb pyramid. If you need details let me know I've got photos and a short video of how it goes together and how to deploy it.

There are a few fishing threads getting mixed in here. Here's my summary of trips I'm seeing planned:

Monday 11/21 - iHop is hoping to get SteveHawk out from Camas on the Columbia to scout the holes around the Power Lines for Sturgeon (catch and release).

Friday 11/25 (Black Friday) - several guys planning to launch from either Camas, WA or Chinook Landing, OR and meet around the Power Lines for AOTY support for Craig.

Thursday 12/1 - iHop planning to crab and fish at Netarts or Nehalem and then attend the Hillsboro seminar Kayak Fishing 101 put on by Spot. At this point not sure if anyone else is coming on this one.

Thursday 12/1 - another group planning to fish the Willy or Big C for AOTY Sturgeon points.

I'm going to post this as a new topic so we can keep these straight.