Croix Cat’s and other fish…

  • Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    April 25, 2004 at 11:40 am #1219110

    I wanted to get an early start yesterday…about 3 a.m. I woke up at 2:30, but with the wife and two dogs snuggled up against me…just couldn’t get out of bed.

    But I was on the river by 5:30. I started with a live sucker and a live shinner (about 4 inches). Within 15 minutes my shinner rod was acting like a channel was pecking at cut bait. This was going to be my first fish of the year (I missed a couple with Fishhead) so I just watched it longer than I normally would. With circle hooks, I figure I should be ok.

    Finally I couldn’t stand it and started reeling…..it seemed like the fish and I figured that he was hooked and that I had a good fish about the same time…I had two anchors and another line out, I didn’t want him to just go swimming around…so I started putting the pressure on the heavy action (broomstick) rod. At that point I realized two things…..1) although I could “steer” him, he could have his way with me…and 2) my rod looks awesome doubled over!

    He finally came to the surface. A pretty 4 foot sturgeon…took a picture, popped the hook out and off he went.

    I picked up a 3ish lbs channel after that…but that was like landing a perch compared to the first.

    My question to all you River Rats…Do sturgeon normally hit on live bait?

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    April 25, 2004 at 11:41 am #302336

    The cat…

    dirk_w.
    Minnesota
    Posts: 669
    April 25, 2004 at 2:18 pm #302346

    2:30am….even thinking about starting at that time in this weather deserves some applause, or therapy. I’ve hit a new all time low in not getting out much…once in the last 2 weeks…very depressing.

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    April 25, 2004 at 6:46 pm #302279

    Dirk, I know we’ve only been out one…and you must have missed this about me ( I know you picked up on “doesn’t he ever shut up?” part) but, I’m very intense.
    If I go out at, say 8 pm, fish a half our at each spot, I should be done fishing say midnight or so. Not me! I’ll stay out all night until the sun comes up…..this puts a burden on my (wifes) marrage vows.

    So going out early gives me time to go to all the hot spots, I’ll miss most of the drunks on the Croix this summer and when the sun comes up…well, just channels and bait to fish for. I might as well go home.

    If you need an excuse to get out…let me know. You can tell everyone that you HAVE to go fishing then!

    Quote:

    even thinking about starting at that time in this weather deserves some applause, or therapy


    If that’s the only two choices….Wade!

    fishhead
    Chaska
    Posts: 215
    April 26, 2004 at 3:09 am #302435

    Nice kitty

    We get a few sturgeon while jigging for eyes with minnows.I have also caught them on plain plastics.
    Cool ancient looking fish if you ask me,but hard to hold onto…ouch!
    I heard they are good eating…but how the heck do you cut into something with bone on the outside??

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.