I know it’s your typical cattin setup. But just wondering how your set up’s are?
BrianK,
In your last report, you stated that you run a #20 mono leader. I’m guessing that’s due to the Abrasion values vs. running just PP. I know those side scales of Sturgeon’s can be super sharp.
Thanks
Typical cat rod, but they bite really lightly most times, so a really soft tip is a big plus.
I caught most of my fish on 25lb Trilene Big Game. The rest came on 65lb Spiderwire. I was using an 18 inch leader of the same line as my main line, a 2 oz bank sinker, and I really don’t know what size circle hook. They were probably about an inch in diameter and I was using a Mustad. It’s a little thinner wire than the Gamakatsus. I had no problems with hook-ups.
One thing I noticed was that a lot of the fish liked to roll and then came in with the line wrapped around them a few times. My mono felt like I had rubbed sandpaper on it, so I guess that could be a problem. And those little sturgeon are really sharp!
Disclaimer: I’ve been sturgeon fishing once 
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Typical cat rod, but they bite really lightly most times, so a really soft tip is a big plus.
I know this to be true on the Rainy River from the Sturgeon Excursion. It seemed that we (my wife and I) were boating 4 to 1 fish versus other boats around us that were using cat and muskie stuff. Because we do not muskie or cat fish we were using heavy bass equipment and I will admit that the reel and line we were using were fine but a 7′ heavy casting rod was not enough but worked in the pinch. Others in the group also had the same experience and observations and we concluded it was the softer tip. Also, these fish didn’t slam it and take off. They seemed to just sit and nibble on the night crawlers as though a small sheepie or sucker was biting. The rod tip would just bounce slightly like a sunfish or perch.
I am no expert but these are my observations from my 1 time (3 days) sturgeon fishing during the Sturgeon Excursion.
yep,
I’ve notice that before. I’m gonna run #50 BigGame for my leader. What lengths do you guys recommend? I’m think 8″-16″?
Why I used 20# mono for a leader and not my normal cat set up of 80# Power Pro.
My hook and leader would wrap up around the sinker in a nice little ball on a number of occasions. Switching to a stiffer (stiffer than the super braid) eliminated this. Looking back…I’m either changing my leaders to #30 Big Game….or eliminating them all together.
Sturgeon aren’t leader shy, so that’s not an issue.
6″ to 12″ is pleanty good for lenght.
FYI ~ the bigger/older a sturgeon becomes, the less sharp and pronounced those side bones become.
I’m guessing mother nature feels they need some protection while they are small and vunurable to other preditors…once they get to 3 feet, not much out there that’s going to bother them. (that is an uneducated guess by the way!)
what hooks do u like using? Circles vs Octo’s?
I’m thinking about using the Thundercat. Which my channel cat rod. 40 series spinning reel 150yrds of 8/30PP mainline and #50BigGame as a leader and 4/0 Circle. What ya think?
Give it a go! I’m going to try to get on on my Thunderstick tonight. It should be fun.
I’m thinking you’ll be catching fish! 
I use the 2/0 circles and octopus circles from Gamakatsu. My thought is that the lighter the hook, the easier it is for the sturgeon to “vacuum” it up.
But as you can see from this posts, they don’t seem to have a problem picking up a heavier hook.
By the way…if you feel like gambling…I’ve been using a 10/0 Gama and using a smashed sucker head (from a 10 inch sucker like Jimmy’s or Moores stock) and picking up some dandy channels. 14 pounds has been the largest…audemp thought he was on the Red River!
2/0 huh? Have u had any problems with them breaking under heavy load? I was using them earlier this spring but had a few decent size channel break them. But then again it was probably operator error.
Oh I can’t wait
Oh I can’t wait
Oh I can’t wait
I haven’t had one even bend…using 80# Power Pro. If you don’t feel comfortable, I would go bigger….but it did land a 58″ the other day…through two anchor ropes.
One thing to keep in mind is that the St Croix where your fishing is more of a lake that a river as far as snagges go. There is nothing around the areas that you’ll be fishing except your motor’s lower end and anchor ropes. I suggest anytime there’s a larger fish on…and you WILL know when that happens…have someone put the back anchor up.
If Sean wouldn’t have been along the other day, I doubt I would have been able to take a picture of that 58.
“It take 4 hands to handle a whopper!” 
The hooks.. I prefer hooks a little bit larger than Brian. We are doing extremely well on 4/0 and 3/0 hooks. 2/0 hooks are just too small for the shad we are using most of the time. There isnt much difference in weight between these hooks, and they seem to have a very high hookup ratio the way we are fishing them. When I get a bite and feel there is a fish on the other end(barely tight and tap-tap-tap).. I set the hook! Circle hook or not our hookup ratio is very near 100%. Setting the hook seems to get many of those fish that are swimming towards you also with sturgeon. I think that quick set is enough resistence to bury the hook even with the little resistence of a weight.
For a setup.. much like catfishing.. I use anywhere from 6″-18″ leader of the same line that is spooled on my reel. 20# mono has held up fine, but you have to retie when it gets too beat up from little fish. For a weight.. anything but no rolls work great The no rolls really tend to wrap up the line very bad in deep water. It can be kept slightly under control by holding resistence on the line when your rig sinks, but its better just to switch over to bank sinkers or some other type that dont spin so much. 1 1/2-2 oz works great if its reasonably calm, 3 oz is a little more user friendly on windy/boat wake days.
The rods… its already been said, the rods with lighter tips are easier to detect bites and do help tremendously. Heavier rods will work when they are very active, but keep a very good eye on your rod, and keep a couple inches of slack in your line and your hookup ratio will still be pretty good. If you have a tight line(loaded rod) with a pool cue, your going to get lots of 1 chomp bites and the fish will be gone.
I cant stress how important it is to keep your line as still as possible. You dont want your rig dragging around in the muck.
Here come the rookies! Just in time for the BIG Sturgeon tourney………
BrianK,
– Thanks to your infinate wisdom and more than generous advice, my boys and I pulled in our first sturgeon….EVER…. last night just before we were about to leave. Smashed sucker on a 2-0 hook (Jimmy’s hooked us up with the gear and we let them know you sent us!), just as the doctor prescribed 
. It was only 30″ long, but that prehistoric creature made our night. Thanks a million!! Can’t wait to join you next week, let’s try to beat that 58″ of yours. ps – I’m working on a tape recorder necklace for you to wear that night……….don’t want to forget any of your golden advice.
stcroixer…
was that you sitting pretty close to shore in that larger cruising type boat(unspecified location)?
Here is the release pic……not total rookies…..
Yep, that was us, we will work on being more stealth next time out 
, hope we didn’t kill the bite, sounds like it was kind of slow.
I have a 19′ cuddy (I’m not the enemy), so its not that big, I’ve seen bigger rigs out of you guys with your 35K bass boats.
How did you guys fair?
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I’m thinking about using the Thundercat. Which my channel cat rod. 40 series spinning reel 150yrds of 8/30PP mainline and #50BigGame as a leader and 4/0 Circle. What ya think?
We get to use TWO poles each Phil “border water” so make sure you guy’s bring TWO setups each……
Later Pier… 
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How did you guys fair?
I think we ended up with about 8 Sturgeon, one with a Lamprey stuck to his forehead, 1 Carp and of course I caught a Sheepshead….
Welcome to the Forums…
StCroix, you should have said something…didn’t you hear me yaking constantly??
BK-
To be honest, I did not know if that was you out there, and I thought my one goofball buddy was making enough noise for all of the boats (he won’t be back on my boat again unless he lets me pull him on a tube FULL THROTTLE). Just an etiquette thing being the “new guys”, did not want to yell your name out not knowing, next time I’ll blow my horn 50 times so you know its me (in honor of your B-Day). Thanks again
st croixer..
if you see me out there when your out there, I am always more than willing to share any useful info I know… never be afraid to stop by and BS.
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what hooks do u like using? Circles vs Octo’s?
I’m thinking about using the Thundercat. Which my channel cat rod. 40 series spinning reel 150yrds of 8/30PP mainline and #50BigGame as a leader and 4/0 Circle. What ya think?
Phil, the Storm Thunderstick in action last night:
Looking at that picture……. Don’t you know your anchor is suppossed to be attached to a rope and not your rod. 
I see you’ve already got the reflective tape on. I knew those rods could take a whompin. Just don’t try to flip #5 channels up 12′.
That’s the first I have seen of the reflective tape. What a great idea. Makes more sense than a rod that glows like mine! Then again, I just need to make sure I am stocked up on some nite brites and ice fishing floats.
Here’s another action shot from last night that shows the reflective tape really well. That stuff really shines when you turn a red LED headlamp on.
Diehard bass fisherman with a Quantum Big Cat rod versus dinosaur fish:
i know that BigCat is a pretty stout rod. To see it bend like, is just sweet. 
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Here’s another action shot from last night that shows the reflective tape really well. That stuff really shines when you turn a red LED headlamp on.
So I can see! Any tips on what tape to get? I also like the ice bobber with a nite stick in it (thanks FisherDave). This year I have been using a clip on glowstick and even the annoying bells. They break too easy and are a pain.
You can get a roll in the automotive section at Walmart that works perfectly. I’ve done 3 or 4 rods and still have plenty left over.
FlatheadWI put that tip up last year sometime… Yup, .79 cents at Walmart and …well, I have some extra after using it on 7 rods.
The only problem with the tape (I only attach it to the tip) is when you hear something and look up…it takes a second to see that the tip is gone….and bent down under water… Ralph’s adding tape to the lenght eliminates that issue! 
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The only problem with the tape (I only attach it to the tip) is when you hear something and look up…it takes a second to see that the tip is gone….and bent down under water…
Not a problem with me, but you all know that by now! 
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