Willamette Sturgeon. - Page 2

cavdad45 · 11-30-2007, 01:33 PM

Awesome fish!!! Great job!

DDR · 11-30-2007, 11:42 PM

I'm in Portland. I've never fished for Sturgeon before. I keep wanting to and people have told me they'd take me out and show me the ropes... but it hasn't happened yet.

JTLunker · 12-01-2007, 10:23 AM

Well DDR if you know how to set up a Sturgeon rig and have an idea of what bait you want to use, all you need to do is find a deep hole on the Willy and cast out as far as you can. let the lead weight settle in on the bottom and wait. There are very few other fish that will bite on the bottom so if you see a few tap or bumps on your line it is a Sturgeon. Like all fishing there is a learning curve, of which I am still learning the basics. You just gotto put the time in my friend. I have seen many people fishing for sturg on the East bank in down town Portland. In between the Burnside and Steel bridge. I would use pickled squid or a bait fish of some sort. If you want a cheaper bait Night Crawlers work as well.

DDR · 12-01-2007, 01:15 PM

Thanks JT. I don't have a sturgeon rod. The closest I have is a med-heavy Musky rod/reel setup. With that much weight on the end of the line, I may have to throw it out there instead of cast it out.

No clue on sturgeon rigs yet. That's why I love you guys here on the forum! So full of knowledge its incredible!

Ok, so I know where the Burnside Bridge is... but where's the Steel Bridge? I don't normally travel across the river.

JTLunker · 12-01-2007, 05:44 PM

For the Sturgeon Rig I would go to a Joes or Fisherman's and ask them to show you what you need. The Steel bridge is the railroad bridge that links the Rose Quarter with NW Portland. Big Black ugly thing, looks like an old bridge. You can spend 40 bucks at Wal mart and get one of those ocean spinning rods. They aren't very long but I have seen big sturgeon caught on them. They can cast the 10s as well. Put some good line on and you are set.

DDR · 12-01-2007, 08:04 PM

Thanks again! Think a baitcaster will work? Or is spinning gear better? The reason I ask is cuz I have 100 lb test on my big baitcaster.

JTLunker · 12-01-2007, 11:49 PM

You will own them with 100lbs test! JUst pull and reel. the sturg take it real easy and slow. It looks like a Tap tap tap. Pick up your rod and feel for the next tug.THEN set the hook like you are fishing for tuna! Takes a lot of force to set the Barbless hook. I have missed many fish, but I have got my trophy in a few short months. It really is all about time commited to fishing for the species. HONEST!

DDR · 12-02-2007, 08:34 AM

Well, what I was thinking is that with 100 lb test, if I get into a biggun that decides to try to run far far away, I can crank down that drag and hold on for dear life as I try to slow it down.

Osprey · 12-03-2007, 09:10 PM

There's no slowing down a sturgeon. You have to let them run and reel them in till they run again. After a while they will tire. Myself I use 50# Tuff line. It's heavy enough for keepers. If you get a big one on (a peeler as they're called) you just have to tire them out or let them go. Letting them get away isn't hard with barbless hooks all you have to do is let them get some slack in the line and they're gone. I've had a couple peelers on and after getting a look at them I let them get away. I've heard that if you fight them to the boat most will die after a few minutes of letting them go. I still haven't caught a keeper but am hoping that I will next month as we're going to have all of the gear needed for the anchor system needed for the deeper water of the Columbia. We are going to try the Multnomah falls area, or Hood River area in January.

DDR · 12-03-2007, 11:04 PM

Interesting. I've never heard that fighting them all the way to the boat would probably lead to their demise.

I hope it's not true!

If I brought one that big in close, I'd want to get a pic of me with it!

Now if I could just convince someone to buy me a rod made for them little fish I'd be ready to go!

12-01-2007, 10:23 AM	#13
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 509	Well DDR if you know how to set up a Sturgeon rig and have an idea of what bait you want to use, all you need to do is find a deep hole on the Willy and cast out as far as you can. let the lead weight settle in on the bottom and wait. There are very few other fish that will bite on the bottom so if you see a few tap or bumps on your line it is a Sturgeon. Like all fishing there is a learning curve, of which I am still learning the basics. You just gotto put the time in my friend. I have seen many people fishing for sturg on the East bank in down town Portland. In between the Burnside and Steel bridge. I would use pickled squid or a bait fish of some sort. If you want a cheaper bait Night Crawlers work as well. __________________ JT Live to fish! http://jtbaitandtackle.oregonfishingforum.com

12-01-2007, 05:44 PM	#15
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 509	For the Sturgeon Rig I would go to a Joes or Fisherman's and ask them to show you what you need. The Steel bridge is the railroad bridge that links the Rose Quarter with NW Portland. Big Black ugly thing, looks like an old bridge. You can spend 40 bucks at Wal mart and get one of those ocean spinning rods. They aren't very long but I have seen big sturgeon caught on them. They can cast the 10s as well. Put some good line on and you are set. __________________ JT Live to fish! http://jtbaitandtackle.oregonfishingforum.com

12-01-2007, 11:49 PM	#17
JTLunker Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 509	You will own them with 100lbs test! JUst pull and reel. the sturg take it real easy and slow. It looks like a Tap tap tap. Pick up your rod and feel for the next tug.THEN set the hook like you are fishing for tuna! Takes a lot of force to set the Barbless hook. I have missed many fish, but I have got my trophy in a few short months. It really is all about time commited to fishing for the species. HONEST! __________________ JT Live to fish! http://jtbaitandtackle.oregonfishingforum.com Last edited by JTLunker : 12-02-2007 at 05:06 PM.

12-03-2007, 09:10 PM	#19
Osprey Master Angler Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albany Posts: 318	There's no slowing down a sturgeon. You have to let them run and reel them in till they run again. After a while they will tire. Myself I use 50# Tuff line. It's heavy enough for keepers. If you get a big one on (a peeler as they're called) you just have to tire them out or let them go. Letting them get away isn't hard with barbless hooks all you have to do is let them get some slack in the line and they're gone. I've had a couple peelers on and after getting a look at them I let them get away. I've heard that if you fight them to the boat most will die after a few minutes of letting them go. I still haven't caught a keeper but am hoping that I will next month as we're going to have all of the gear needed for the anchor system needed for the deeper water of the Columbia. We are going to try the Multnomah falls area, or Hood River area in January. __________________ Ron _____________________________________________ Fishin's My Thing!But racing comes in a close second!!!

11-30-2007, 01:33 PM	#11
cavdad45 Master Angler Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: beavercreek Posts: 389	Awesome fish!!! Great job!

11-30-2007, 11:42 PM	#12
DDR Angler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 101	I'm in Portland. I've never fished for Sturgeon before. I keep wanting to and people have told me they'd take me out and show me the ropes... but it hasn't happened yet.

12-01-2007, 01:15 PM	#14
DDR Angler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 101	Thanks JT. I don't have a sturgeon rod. The closest I have is a med-heavy Musky rod/reel setup. With that much weight on the end of the line, I may have to throw it out there instead of cast it out. No clue on sturgeon rigs yet. That's why I love you guys here on the forum! So full of knowledge its incredible! Ok, so I know where the Burnside Bridge is... but where's the Steel Bridge? I don't normally travel across the river.

12-01-2007, 08:04 PM	#16
DDR Angler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 101	Thanks again! Think a baitcaster will work? Or is spinning gear better? The reason I ask is cuz I have 100 lb test on my big baitcaster.

12-02-2007, 08:34 AM	#18
DDR Angler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 101	Well, what I was thinking is that with 100 lb test, if I get into a biggun that decides to try to run far far away, I can crank down that drag and hold on for dear life as I try to slow it down.

12-03-2007, 11:04 PM	#20
DDR Angler Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 101	Interesting. I've never heard that fighting them all the way to the boat would probably lead to their demise. I hope it's not true! If I brought one that big in close, I'd want to get a pic of me with it! Now if I could just convince someone to buy me a rod made for them little fish I'd be ready to go!

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