Sturgeon Bank fishing Reel Suggestions?

ZeeBorn · 11-08-2007, 11:28 PM

I have been looking into getting setup for bank sturgeon and could use some suggestions on what reel to use. I'm ok with using one with out a line leveler and I would prefer one thats a left hand reel. My price range is up to about up to $160. new or used. I'm kind of thinking about a Shimano Speedmaster I like the gear ratio.
http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish...=1194592931119
Has any one used one of these reals?
Thanks,
Nate

JTLunker · 11-09-2007, 05:19 PM

Never used but I bank fish for Sturgeon and would love to have that gear ratio! Caught a 41" last Friday. I use a low end Shakspear tidewater with 60lbs toughline mono. Good luck with the new reel, let me know how it works if you get it.

ZeeBorn · 11-09-2007, 08:06 PM

Thanks for the input JT. Too bad you couldn't stretch that fish to 42

It seems like a faster reel would defenatly help to keep from snagging up as much when reeling in. Can anyone comment on a good line capacity for a sturgeon reel?

18406ej · 11-09-2007, 08:08 PM

Nice fish, JT!

Osprey · 11-09-2007, 09:39 PM

Right-On JT...I've caught one that was 38". I haven't yet caught a keeper. But haven't been fishing for sturgeon long and only made it out a few times for them. It'll happen one of these days. Where were you fishing when you caught that one?

JTLunker · 11-10-2007, 10:36 PM

Willamette river around Meldrum Bar. I actually caught a 55" this morning I will have pics tommarrow. It was a truly awesome fish. 45lbs to boot! My arm is still a little tired. ZeeBorn I think my reel carries 250+ yds of 60lbs mono. I would assume that anywhere over 200 yrds would be plenty. I don't really know for sure though cause I am still new to the craft.

Osprey · 11-11-2007, 07:03 PM

I'm glad to see someone from the site catch a keeper sturgeon. I've only been fishing for them a few times and still haven't caught a keeper. But am being optomistic... I'm sure I'll get one one of these days. It's sure a different kind of fishing. I can't believe how soft they bite. My Dad says he's had a few just grab the bait and run. That's only happened to me once, ussually they just tap on the bait . I've found it's really a skill to hooking up with them, and my reactions aren't as quik as they used to be. Great job!!!

ZeeBorn · 11-11-2007, 11:08 PM

Ok I went out Saturday and got my setup. I went with a 12ft Ugly Stick and a Daiwa Sealine-X 30SHA
Daiwa | Sealine®-X HA/SHA
After getting it I went straight to Bonneville to try it out. Having never used a pole this big before I haven't quite figured out the best way to cast it yet but I'm sure that will come in time. The Reel is super smooth so I think it will have the potential to make rely far casts.
The fishing was pretty slow, I only got a few bites and only saw one shaker caught. But the great weather made up for the lack of fish. Any way I am very pleased with my purchase and I'll keep you guys informed on how I do next time I go out. Also is there any other closer places on the Columbia than Bonneville or tanner creek?
Thanks,
Nate

JTLunker · 11-12-2007, 10:49 AM

The willamette has a many places where you can catch sturgeon. The east bank esplenad, sauvies island, Oregon city wall, Meldrum bar and Clackamette park.
Good luck!

ZeeBorn · 11-12-2007, 11:28 AM

Oh yea, I guess I should have explained I knew of places to go on the Willamette. Thanks for the help though. One place that I have wondered about on the Willamette is the new catwalk across from downtown. It seems like there would be some good sturgeon holes along there but I haven't checked to see if it's even legal to fish off of it. Or what about Water Front Park? Or off the bank by Omsi?
-Nate

11-08-2007, 11:28 PM	#1
ZeeBorn Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SE Portland, OR Posts: 40	Sturgeon Bank fishing Reel Suggestions? I have been looking into getting setup for bank sturgeon and could use some suggestions on what reel to use. I'm ok with using one with out a line leveler and I would prefer one thats a left hand reel. My price range is up to about up to $160. new or used. I'm kind of thinking about a Shimano Speedmaster I like the gear ratio. http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish...=1194592931119 Has any one used one of these reals? Thanks, Nate __________________ Got skunked? Thats why its called fishing, not catching.

11-09-2007, 05:19 PM	#2
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West linn, OR Posts: 472	Never used but I bank fish for Sturgeon and would love to have that gear ratio! Caught a 41" last Friday. I use a low end Shakspear tidewater with 60lbs toughline mono. Good luck with the new reel, let me know how it works if you get it. __________________ JT FISH ON!!!! Last edited by JTLunker : 11-09-2007 at 05:33 PM.

11-09-2007, 08:06 PM	#3
ZeeBorn Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SE Portland, OR Posts: 40	Thanks for the input JT. Too bad you couldn't stretch that fish to 42 It seems like a faster reel would defenatly help to keep from snagging up as much when reeling in. Can anyone comment on a good line capacity for a sturgeon reel? __________________ Got skunked? Thats why its called fishing, not catching.

11-09-2007, 08:08 PM	#4
18406ej Master Angler Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Keizer Posts: 335	Nice fish, JT! __________________ E.J. "I am going where streams of whiskey are flowing"

11-09-2007, 09:39 PM	#5
Osprey Sustained Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albany Posts: 288	Right-On JT...I've caught one that was 38". I haven't yet caught a keeper. But haven't been fishing for sturgeon long and only made it out a few times for them. It'll happen one of these days. Where were you fishing when you caught that one? __________________ Ron _____________________________________________ Fishin's My Thing!But racing comes in a close second!!!

11-10-2007, 10:36 PM	#6
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West linn, OR Posts: 472	Willamette river around Meldrum Bar. I actually caught a 55" this morning I will have pics tommarrow. It was a truly awesome fish. 45lbs to boot! My arm is still a little tired. ZeeBorn I think my reel carries 250+ yds of 60lbs mono. I would assume that anywhere over 200 yrds would be plenty. I don't really know for sure though cause I am still new to the craft. __________________ JT FISH ON!!!!

11-11-2007, 07:03 PM	#7
Osprey Sustained Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albany Posts: 288	I'm glad to see someone from the site catch a keeper sturgeon. I've only been fishing for them a few times and still haven't caught a keeper. But am being optomistic... I'm sure I'll get one one of these days. It's sure a different kind of fishing. I can't believe how soft they bite. My Dad says he's had a few just grab the bait and run. That's only happened to me once, ussually they just tap on the bait . I've found it's really a skill to hooking up with them, and my reactions aren't as quik as they used to be. Great job!!! __________________ Ron _____________________________________________ Fishin's My Thing!But racing comes in a close second!!!

11-11-2007, 11:08 PM	#8
ZeeBorn Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SE Portland, OR Posts: 40	Ok I went out Saturday and got my setup. I went with a 12ft Ugly Stick and a Daiwa Sealine-X 30SHA Daiwa \| Sealine®-X HA/SHA After getting it I went straight to Bonneville to try it out. Having never used a pole this big before I haven't quite figured out the best way to cast it yet but I'm sure that will come in time. The Reel is super smooth so I think it will have the potential to make rely far casts. The fishing was pretty slow, I only got a few bites and only saw one shaker caught. But the great weather made up for the lack of fish. Any way I am very pleased with my purchase and I'll keep you guys informed on how I do next time I go out. Also is there any other closer places on the Columbia than Bonneville or tanner creek? Thanks, Nate __________________ Got skunked? Thats why its called fishing, not catching.

11-12-2007, 10:49 AM	#9
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West linn, OR Posts: 472	The willamette has a many places where you can catch sturgeon. The east bank esplenad, sauvies island, Oregon city wall, Meldrum bar and Clackamette park. Good luck! __________________ JT FISH ON!!!!

11-12-2007, 11:28 AM	#10
ZeeBorn Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SE Portland, OR Posts: 40	Oh yea, I guess I should have explained I knew of places to go on the Willamette. Thanks for the help though. One place that I have wondered about on the Willamette is the new catwalk across from downtown. It seems like there would be some good sturgeon holes along there but I haven't checked to see if it's even legal to fish off of it. Or what about Water Front Park? Or off the bank by Omsi? -Nate __________________ Got skunked? Thats why its called fishing, not catching.

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