What do you prefer for Dinos?

In asking that question, what I'm looking for is specifics. What rod do you prefer,  i.e. brand, length, line weight rating and action. I thought Sturgeon rods were just "broomhandles", but now I'm seeing guys prefer a long butt section for leverage and a sensitive tip since dino's are moochers. I'm also guessing in a yak scenario, probably something in a seven foot range, but again, I have no idea.

And what about reels? Again brands, as well as specifics. Do you feel a line counter is really necessary? Of course, something with huevos in the drag category, since some of these fish are pure monsters. Is it possible to get rigged for this species without a second mortgage, or going with a lessor priced rig, rather than spending over $200, maybe closer to $100-$150 for a new set up?

Thanks again for any and all information.

Right now, Dick's has the Penn 320 GT / Ugly Stick Tiger (medium action) 7 foot rod for $99. It's the BWC2201 medium 20-50 lb line version.  It is what Jammer uses and what I used till it went to the bottom of the Columbia.  I think others use the same rod/reel combo.  Ndogg uses that rod but an Abu reel.  I now verify all rods are leashed while in the rod holders.

I am using an 8.5' berkeley xhvy 20-50lb test buzz Ramsey rod with a Garcia 6500. I am using 30 lb braid. I posed the same question as you a month ago but I wanted dual duty for salmon. The rod is a blast but it takes a while to haul them in.  At the $99 price I have been thinking about adding one of the penn tiger combos from Dick's. If they had a two piece I definitely would have already

Right now, Dick's has the Penn 320 GT / Ugly Stick Tiger (medium action) 7 foot rod for $99. It's the BWC2201 medium 20-50 lb line version.  It is what Jammer uses and what I used till it went to the bottom of the Columbia.  I think others use the same rod/reel combo.  Ndogg uses that rod but an Abu reel.  I now verify all rods are leashed while in the rod holders.

I am using an 8.5' berkeley xhvy 20-50lb test buzz Ramsey rod with a Garcia 6500. I am using 30 lb braid. I posed the same question as you a month ago but I wanted dual duty for salmon. The rod is a blast but it takes a while to haul them in.  At the $99 price I have been thinking about adding one of the penn tiger combos from Dick's. If they had a two piece I definitely would have already

Well damn....I've got the Buzz Ramsey (extra heavy) IM7's that I bought last month for Salmon. They are identical twins and are in the 20-50lb class, both outfitted with Abu Garcia 6501c3's. They had 80# braid on but was advised to remove that in lieu of safety, so I went to 30#. I was guessing (assuming) that these were too light and I would have to be in a higher weight category. I guess if they're okay, the other thing or concern is they're kind of long for the kayak (another assumption on my part).

I was worried about the length but it is nice.  The longer rod provides better cushion against last minutes surges with the zero stretch braid. I have no problems landing the fish - although to be fair my biggest fish is barely legal.

My back-up sturgeon rod, which has now become my primary, is an 8 foot Cabelas Whuppin stik 14-50 pound heavy action.  It was $29.00 several years ago.  They are now $19.88.  I was going to get a new primary rod to replace the lost one, but I have been having some good sturgeon mojo with the back-up lately, I am scared to switch up. 

PDXfisher, I am not sure if all the Dick's have that combo available.  I just know where one happens to sit and every time I walk by it, I feel the urge to buy it.  However, I already have an Ugly Stick Tiger rod, just no reel for it.  I was just going to buy a Penn reel for it, but the reel cost as much as the combo. 

 I think it matters where you are fishing.  If you are going after a big one, lets say up close to Bonneville, and have a targeted large bait like a slab of shad. Then go with the 6 ft heavy duty rod and a Penn 320 GT. If you are lower on the river and using small baits like herring or sandshrimp then go with the longer pole.  I like a 7ft, 10 to 40 pound medium action rainbow with an Abu Garcia Winch.

I have several different weights and reels if someone would like to try them.  That is everyone except Craig, he will have to put down a deposit or something. Something about decorating the bottom...

Right now, Dick's has the Penn 320 GT / Ugly Stick Tiger (medium action) 7 foot rod for $99. It's the BWC2201 medium 20-50 lb line version.  It is what Jammer uses and what I used till it went to the bottom of the Columbia.  I think others use the same rod/reel combo.  Ndogg uses that rod but an Abu reel.  I now verify all rods are leashed while in the rod holders.

penn 320 or 321 (left hand retrieve) 321 works best for me with the Hobie and not having to switch hands for rudder control, hold the rod with the right, crank and work the rudder with the left, way simpler.  Screw this onto a tiger 7' 20-50 and you will be set for any sturgeon fishing situation.  You may find the IM8's will get overloaded if you use more than 10oz of lead, 12oz is very common and winter flows often need 16oz+

Right now, Dick's has the Penn 320 GT / Ugly Stick Tiger (medium action) 7 foot rod for $99. It's the BWC2201 medium 20-50 lb line version.  It is what Jammer uses and what I used till it went to the bottom of the Columbia.  I think others use the same rod/reel combo.  Ndogg uses that rod but an Abu reel.  I now verify all rods are leashed while in the rod holders.

penn 320 or 321 (left hand retrieve) 321 works best for me with the Hobie and not having to switch hands for rudder control, hold the rod with the right, crank and work the rudder with the left, way simpler. 

I also use the left hand retrieve Penn 321 for the very reason pelagic just mentioned. Im also right handed, but feel it's much easier to reel and have rudder control both on the left hand, which makes quick rudder adjustments a snap. Plus I'd rather use my stronger right arm for playing the sturgeon.

I have several different weights and reels if someone would like to try them.  That is everyone except Craig, he will have to put down a deposit or something. Something about decorating the bottom...

Right now, Dick's has the Penn 320 GT / Ugly Stick Tiger (medium action) 7 foot rod for $99. It's the BWC2201 medium 20-50 lb line version.  It is what Jammer uses and what I used till it went to the bottom of the Columbia.  I think others use the same rod/reel combo.  Ndogg uses that rod but an Abu reel.  I now verify all rods are leashed while in the rod holders.

 You may find the IM8's will get overloaded if you use more than 10oz of lead, 12oz is very common and winter flows often need 16oz+

I think the politically correct term for decorating the bottom is "structure".

And 16+ ozs of lead...are you serious? I thought the Civil War was over and we're still lobbing cannon balls. Where do you buy your weights, out of Gettysburg?

Right now, Dick's has the Penn 320 GT / Ugly Stick Tiger (medium action) 7 foot rod for $99. It's the BWC2201 medium 20-50 lb line version.  It is what Jammer uses and what I used till it went to the bottom of the Columbia.  I think others use the same rod/reel combo.  Ndogg uses that rod but an Abu reel.  I now verify all rods are leashed while in the rod holders.

penn 320 or 321 (left hand retrieve) 321 works best for me with the Hobie and not having to switch hands for rudder control, hold the rod with the right, crank and work the rudder with the left, way simpler.  Screw this onto a tiger 7' 20-50 and you will be set for any sturgeon fishing situation.  You may find the IM8's will get overloaded if you use more than 10oz of lead, 12oz is very common and winter flows often need 16oz+

I agree that what I have is light. However, it is a really fun rod for right now. I have used 8 oz and can not imagine 12 or 16. Do folks think that the med action tiger is sufficient to handle 16 oz. I like the softness of the tip compared to the MH. I only want a second rod if it extends my range.

If a rod can't handle a 16 oz sinker, how would it handle a 50 lb fish?  You don't have to cast far or at all.  You can drop your bait and drift downstream/downwind a ways before anchoring. 

The Dick's deal Craig mentions is a great deal. 

I've not yet caught a sturgeon, but I feel confident my rig, a medium Ugly Stik Tiger (same model Craig mentions above) and an Abu BG 7001 is sufficient.  I have become a real fan of the Ugly Stik BWC2201-2 270, and have two in case something happens to one of them. 

I have several different weights and reels if someone would like to try them.  That is everyone except Craig, he will have to put down a deposit or something. Something about decorating the bottom...

I think the politically correct term for decorating the bottom is "structure".

I am building artificial reefs.

Also, Fisherman's will most likely run a sale for the Penn/Ugly stick Tiger rod for $99 again.  Probably at the beginning of the new  2012 sturgeon season.  I have seen that deal several times in the last couple of years. 

If a rod can't handle a 16 oz sinker, how would it handle a 50 lb fish?  You don't have to cast far or at all.  You can drop your bait and drift downstream/downwind a ways before anchoring. 

The Dick's deal Craig mentions is a great deal. 

I've not yet caught a sturgeon, but I feel confident my rig, a medium Ugly Stik Tiger (same model Craig mentions above) and an Abu BG 7001 is sufficient.  I have become a real fan of the Ugly Stik BWC2201-2 270, and have two in case something happens to one of them.

In Florida I caught a 35lb permit on 8lb test (took about an hour). The rod was rated up to 1/2oz. I also lost a tarpon that was well over 100lbs after fighting it for 45 minutes on my bass rod when it cheated and scraped my line on some coral rock when I was clearly winning the fight

I could certainly lower 16oz with the rod I have, but it would not be fun. When I try to lob with 8oz the rod is bending pretty far down the blank. I worry about overstressing the rod if I want to lob the bait 50' from the kayak. I guess what I am looking for is a rod that will comfortably handle the 16oz weight (able to maintain control on a cast) without feeling like I might break the rod.

I do like the look of that BWC2201-2 270 (I like the 2-piece rods for the kayak). 

For anyone who is interested, Dick's in Hillsboro had several of the 7' 1-piece combos for $99 last time I looked (a few weeks ago).

ONly downside of 7 foot rods is swinging it around the bow, if you're in a yak that's longer than 13 feet.  Ugly Sticks are great inexpensive rods, pretty much impossible to break.  But they don't float (snif)