Welcome Guest... Login?
 
 
Today's Topics
Online
10 members and 36 guests have been online with in the last 10 minutes.
 « BACK • IDO Fishing Reports

2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

by Mark Johnson on 04/27/2009

My personal best 61"
Sturgeon
Wow - If time flies when you are having fun, this trip was a 747!! The 2009 Sturgeon excursion on the Rainy River/Lake of the Woods was a great 3 days of big fish and good fun. Compared to last year the bite was pretty slow, but the number of big fish made up for that in a hurry! The general attitude on this trip is so laid back that I'm sitting here wondering where my tireless drive to fish walleyes went?


Todd Dolan holding a
60" hog
We started our first day on the water about 10Am with one little bite that looked like it must have been from a 6 inch perch….that bite turned into a 25 minute battle, a muskie rod in 3 pieces and my personal best 61" Sturgeon. Seriously, my arms are still sore! The next hour it was a little slow so we moved downstream a few miles to another hole. It didn’t take long and here comes that same perch on steroids. Another 20 minute battle and we had a fat 59 incher in the net. The days on the water seemed to go like that, a 1-2 hour break interrupted by a big fish and a bunch of high-fives.


Another big 59"
Our presentation started with a 4oz river sinker, 14" braided leader and a 4/0 circle hook. With that crazy fast current we upgraded to 8oz and stayed with that to keep the bait on the bottom and steady. It was probably overkill in some places but if you aren't on the bottom they won't bite. We used a 28lb navy anchor to hold us and a Drift control trolling bag off the back to stabilize the boat and keep it from swinging, it worked great.


Mike Kappers with a last
minute 51"
With 3 guys in my boat we only averaged about 6 fish a day, not too many compared to last year's 30+ fish per day. But It didn’t really matter given the size of these fish we were willing to be patient. Our 6 biggest fish were 51, 53, 55, 59, 60 and 61". If things got too slow we would move again and try to reproduce the same situation in another hole. We fished 5-6 different locations between the gap and then upstream about 5 miles. We looked for deeper holes, current seems and tried to stay in 20-35 FOW, all spots had fish but certain places were much better than others. Overall this was a fantastic trip to be on! It was great to see and talk with everybody again. My cabin is already booked for next year. See you on the water!

Location : Minnesota
Water Body : Rainy River
Species : sturgeon
Water Temp : 41
Technique : rigging


--------------------
Mark Johnson ~ In-Depth Outdoors Field Staff

SERVING WESTERN WI. IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1997
FOR WI and MN REAL ESTATE SEARCH <<CLICK HERE>>


Mark Johnson

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779268 - 04/27/09 06:53 PM

A few more pictures..hope you enjoy em'

1240876278_DSCN1463.JPG1240876293_DSCN1471.JPG1240876303_DSCN1428.JPG1240876326_DSCN1481.JPG
1240876338_DSCN1418.JPG1240876342_DSCN1438.JPG1240876350_DSCN1474.JPG1240876355_DSCN1475.JPG
1240876278_DSCN1463.JPG


--------------------
Mark Johnson ~ In-Depth Outdoors Field Staff

SERVING WESTERN WI. IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1997
FOR WI and MN REAL ESTATE SEARCH <<CLICK HERE>>

18Fisher

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779269 - 04/27/09 06:53 PM



--------------------
Happier than a carp in a septic tank!

Kooty

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779272 - 04/27/09 07:04 PM

Great fish Mark. I can't imagine those big girls in that current.

--------------------
I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

John

BriankAdministrator

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779295 - 04/27/09 08:05 PM

I've always wanted a three piece Sturgeon Rod!!


I thought I was the only one using a drift control sock...they work a heck of a lot better than lifting another anchor...so says the favorite daughter.

1240880004_DSC00948.JPG


--------------------
Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<

Bob Bowman

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779311 - 04/27/09 08:41 PM

Great report Mark. It was good to see you again. You boys got some awesome pic's

--------------------
Bob Bowman - Loan Officer
City - County Federal Credit Union
 "Get the lowest possible rate on your boat, ATV or vehicle!"


" Hey.....I'll take some of that"

stcroixer

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779349 - 04/27/09 10:00 PM

Nice report Mark
and even nicer fish - can't wait till next year - Great job guys!!!!!!!

--------------------
Wishin I Was Fishin.......

Cougareye

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779377 - 04/27/09 10:54 PM

Those are some great fish! Great report Mark!

Eric

BZZSAW

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779425 - 04/28/09 07:33 AM

Awesome fish and pictures Swervy. Wow.

Mark Johnson

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779505 - 04/28/09 10:23 AM

Thanks guys! Feel free to add your pictures and comments to this report...I know there were alot of big fish caught over the weekend

--------------------
Mark Johnson ~ In-Depth Outdoors Field Staff

SERVING WESTERN WI. IN REAL ESTATE SINCE 1997
FOR WI and MN REAL ESTATE SEARCH <<CLICK HERE>>

B Curtis

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779563 - 04/28/09 12:25 PM

Nice fish Mark. Those are some beauties.

SignSmith

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779619 - 04/28/09 01:51 PM

What a blast guys. Book my room today.
Hey Stcroixer. That iceberg looks awful familiar.

Kooty

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779622 - 04/28/09 01:56 PM

Welcome SignSmith. Your van and boat were hard to spot.

--------------------
I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

John

BriankAdministrator

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779764 - 04/28/09 09:22 PM

Welcome!

It did kinda blend in with the Wigwam setting.



--------------------
Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<

Doug Mercer

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779770 - 04/28/09 09:32 PM

Great report & pics!! Looks like a blast, congrats on some BIG fish.

--------------------
DOUG MERCER IDO FIELD STAFF
MrMuskie

18Fisher

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779776 - 04/28/09 09:42 PM

Thats funny!
Quote:

Your van and boat were hard to spot.

I told my buddy.."do you think he makes signs?

--------------------
Happier than a carp in a septic tank!

WalleyeRube

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779800 - 04/28/09 10:17 PM

Awesome pics and report! The 3 piece rod sure says it all. Congrats on your personal best too!

SignSmith

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#779995 - 04/29/09 11:57 AM

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the welcome. It was good to see you again. I don't know if you remember, but I dropped my first no roll with you on the Croix. BTW We were glad to spice things up, and I don't mean the best Bloody Mary's ever served at the Fireside. Next year pull up and visit.

Joel Nelson

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#780018 - 04/29/09 12:25 PM

Great fish Mark! It was similar to what we saw as well. Fewer fish, but bigger ones. Great to see!

Joel

--------------------
Joel Nelson - Ice Pro Staff
joel.nelson@in-depthoutdoors.com

SignSmith

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#780019 - 04/29/09 12:26 PM

Howdy Kooty,
Thanks for the welcome. We sure did get a lot of looks, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. Look out next year. Yeeee Haaaaa... Ps Can and how do I get a banner on your site?

BriankAdministrator

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#780024 - 04/29/09 12:29 PM

Post a picture of your van and boat. pm sent.

--------------------
Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<

SignSmith

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#780026 - 04/29/09 12:30 PM

Howdy 18Fisher. Awesome, I know it's over the top, but that's just what I was hoping you would say.
Float on over next year and say Hi.

SignSmith

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#780037 - 04/29/09 12:38 PM

Here it is. Gaze in wonder.

1241026425_DSCF2620.JPG

BriankAdministrator

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#780046 - 04/29/09 12:48 PM

Make sure your phone number is clearly in the photo too!

--------------------
Briank's Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
Photo's From the 2009 Season<<

Kooty

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#780048 - 04/29/09 12:52 PM

Quote:

your site?



I'll save this line forever. Just remember this when all you other smucks are razzing me!!!

--------------------
I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.

John

18Fisher

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#780115 - 04/29/09 03:33 PM

Quote:

Float on over next year and say Hi.



Will do

--------------------
Happier than a carp in a septic tank!

stcroixer

Re: 2009 Sturgeon Excursion Report

#784546 - 05/12/09 01:16 PM

Quote:

Here it is. Gaze in wonder.



That's looks awesome

- can't wait for mine to get done

--------------------
Wishin I Was Fishin.......



© Copyright In-DepthOutdoors.com, Inc. 2001 - 2010, All Rights Reserved.