Got out yesterday morning for a few hours for my first try at a sturgeon for the year. I had invited my buddy Todd( a casual fisherman, primarily fly) along to try and hook him up with one, as I had been telling him what a blast they are to catch. It was a pretty slow morning, with only an average size channel cat and a bunch of sheepies to show for the early-mid morning bite. After a couple of moves, it was about 11:30 and we were getting ready to pack up and get a burger when the clicker started zinging on 1 of Todd's rods. He didn't have the drag set and wasn't able to hook the fish, but his blood was pumping and it wasn't hard to talk him into staying out a little while longer! About 5 minutes later, Todd says "I got a fish!" After a fun fight, a 10 3/4 pound channel cat was in the net!
Well, now Todd is pumped! I landed a nice 24" channel shortly after that, then about 5 minutes later I felt a couple of bumps on my line and it was fish on! It came right up and jumped, then headed for the bottom. I handed the rod to Todd, telling him this was what he was here for! After a bunch of nice runs, with Todd laughing and saying "I can't move him! I can't do anything!", a nice 39"er was on board. A couple of quick pics and back into water.
We packed up after that, as we had stayed out as long as we dared with work commitments looming for both of us in the afternoon. I think Todd has got the bug, as he is now asking me what rods to buy!
All the good fish came on fatheads and cut sucker, with only sheepies taking crawlers. I picked up a St Croix Triumph rod based on the recommendations here, and that's the rod the sturgeon came on. What a set-up! I highly recommend picking 1(or 3) of these up! Light, with plenty of backbone.
Ingy
Nice kitty!
Sturgie!
p.s. Pay no attention to the background! If I catch you in my secret spot...
I have an 11 year old son who would like to try and catch a sturgeon.
Just curious about what type of setup to use? How heavy is your leader line? How long of a leader? What kind of hook should I use? Any specific weights? How heavy of weight? What is the best bait to use?
Jeff, I'm by no means an expert, but I use a 12-15" leader of 20# mono or 30# braid, a 2/0, 4/0 or 6/0 circle hook, depending on size and amount of bait, and 1.5-2 ounce flat sinker, depending on depth and current. As far as bait goes- a gob of crawlers, 4-6 fatheads(give a couple of them a squish to get some guts and smells flowing) or cut-up suckers. Don't be afraid to try a combo platter-crawlers and fatties together, etc. Also, change your bait frequently-every 20-30 minutes or so.
I would add that these fish have a lot of fight for there size. I wouldn't suggest a walleye rod...at the very least a heavy bass rod can work.
Moores Bait Shop in Mpls, Sportsman's Warehouse in Woodbury or Evert's by Redwing all have the tackle that you would need.
One other item worth mentioning...the smaller the fish the sharper the scoots on the side and top of a sturgeon. They start getting dull around the 40 in size. Handle the smaller ones gently or use gloves (Did I say that out loud?? )
With larger fish, please resist the urge to pick them up by the gill covers. All though it looks handy, you won't be doing the fish any favors. Best way I've found to get them out of the water and handle a large fish is to either net it or if the fish is too big to net...grab it just ahead of it's tail in the narrower area and use your other hand/are to cradle it's mid section.
A larger fish can take 15 to 20 minutes to release. Use your net to release them if you can. Beats hanging over the boat for that long of a time.
These are resilient fish in many ways...it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know that my great, great grand children could catch the same fish I caught 75 years from now!
Quote: These are resilient fish in many ways...it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know that my great, great grand children could catch the same fish I caught 75 years from now!
Then your FD better get busy!
Don't tell her I said that...I know she can shoot!
Nice post Ingy - I use the same set up but will go smaller on hooks when I know the bite is tough. BTW I think a 2/0 is plenty big on most days- personal preference. I often go smaller on hooks for walleyes than most guys.
-------------------- Croixsippi Guide Service
In-Depthangling.com Field Staff
www.croixsippi.com 1-715-377-0006
9/12 Sturgeon Report
Nice fish,glad ya got another hooked on the bottem dwellers,they are a blast. 
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