Sturgeon Equipment

So I am going to be heading up to the Sturgeon Excursion this year and was just curious as to what everybody is using as far as equipment?

I have a Shimano Corvalus reel, on a 7ft Heavy action rod. I am guessing that this set up would work. I also have a Pflueger President Baitcast reel on a 7′-6″ Med heavy rod, I am not sure that the rod will be heavy enough to handle a sturgeon.

What about hook size, this is where I get lost, and weights. What are you guys using.

Thanks for the help.

The gear you described should work just fine. 2/0 TO 3/0 hook size and weight will depend on depth and current.

Getting the itch are ya? I spotted your post and got a warm fuzzy feeling!

Many different thoughts on all the sturgeon gear for sure!

I’ve been using the Team Catfish 3/0 Double Action Hooks for a few years now. I like to pinch down the barbs… but that’s just me.

Under most conditions a 2 oz sinker will work, but there’s been a few years just lately were 6 and 8 oz has been needed. I just take my 4 oz no rolls along and double them up if the current is that strong. They’re slip sinkers and unless the sturgi starts swimming sideways won’t “feel” the weight anyway.

Yeah I am getting the itch, and if I need to buy a bunch of stuff I would like to space it out a little bit. From the sounds of it I should not need to buy any thing big, just some heavier weights and some bigger hooks.

One more question, how much bait do you usually use? Like a flat of crawlers or more? I dont have any suckers or shad, so we will be stuck using crawlers unless I can buy some somewhere.

Shad?

Harvest rules are prohibitive at this time.

I’ve only used crawlers in the spring. That’s what I’ve had the best luck with. Others have used fatheads on the same style hook with good success.

Adrian’s Resort will have crawlers by the flat again for us to pick up when arriving. You’ll need to call ahead and prepay…once they know what the prices will be, closer to spring. Beats hauling them up and worrying if they’re getting to cold or hot. I take a 5 gallon pail along to dump them in.

How many crawlers? How many people and how long will you be up there?

I buy a flat each year and have always brought some home fishing with two or three people. We don’t fish that hard. One other thing, if the suckers are on a roll you’ll go through more crawlers.

At one time we would keep a half a cooler full of suckers to use as cut bait down here, but since the presents of the Spiny Water Flea, I don’t think that’s allowed any longer.

Remember, 1 line per angler. Stay on the MN/US side of the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay and last but not least…pull you plugs before leaving the ramp area!

(Right Jeff?)

BK, remind me what model of St.Croix you have been using.

I need to start thinking about another setup as we are adding a new angler this year.

I’ve been using the St Croix Triumph TRC70MHF.

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Remember, 1 line per angler. Stay on the MN/US side of the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay and last but not least…pull you plugs before leaving the ramp area!

(Right Jeff?) /quote]

Ditto

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Shad?

Harvest rules are prohibitive at this time.

I’ve only used crawlers in the spring. That’s what I’ve had the best luck with. Others have used fatheads on the same style hook with good success.

Adrian’s Resort will have crawlers by the flat again for us to pick up when arriving. You’ll need to call ahead and prepay…once they know what the prices will be, closer to spring. Beats hauling them up and worrying if they’re getting to cold or hot. I take a 5 gallon pail along to dump them in.

How many crawlers? How many people and how long will you be up there?

I buy a flat each year and have always brought some home fishing with two or three people. We don’t fish that hard. One other thing, if the suckers are on a roll you’ll go through more crawlers.

At one time we would keep a half a cooler full of suckers to use as cut bait down here, but since the presents of the Spiny Water Flea, I don’t think that’s allowed any longer.

Remember, 1 line per angler. Stay on the MN/US side of the Rainy River and Four Mile Bay and last but not least…pull you plugs before leaving the ramp area!

(Right Jeff?)

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Thanks BK. Its going to be me and one other person so a flat should be enough.