My 1st Sturgeon What A Dosey!

  • col._klink
    St Paul
    Posts: 2542
    #1220718

    So a couple weeks ago I send Brian K a message about how I keep reading all the posts you guys are writing about getting some monsters. I asked him if I could tagg along for a night. He replys with a date and a time. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to get out in the boat with Brian K.

    The drive down to Everts from Mlps (Work) was going good until I got just south of Prescott on WI 35 where my life almost ended. I come around the corner and bam their is a bull ELK way out place. I could not help but stare at him and I forgot I was doing 60 mph

    Get to Everts wind is hollowing. I am thinking this is going to be no fun sitting in a wind storm. But lucky for us it died to nothing around 9pm or 10pm. I was putting my camo jacket on and he told me to try this jacket that are life jackets called Float Techs. I put it on well that was about it. I allmost drove home with that thing on. Super warm and comfortable. I never tried a life vest that inflated itself. I was thinking how nice that would be for late ICE! Might be picking one up very soon!

    Having never fished the river I had a bunch of questions. Brian K answered them all. I asked what a wingdam was and he told me “Thats where alot of guys lose thier props” After he explained it made a ton of sence!

    Brian had us setting up in one of his spots dropping both huge anchors. Then setting lines. Then we wait. And wait some more. Being a Pike and Crappie guy you are allways on the move. So this was nice to sit and B.S.

    We did not sit to long and I got a Cat! went about 10 pounds. Then we sat for awhile more nothing,nothing,nothing We moved.

    Again Crappie Pike guy……………………

    2nd spot set up (Oh ya I had to do 95% of the anchor work before moving. He is kinda old ) Lines are out picked up anoter lill cat. I was thrilled to finaly touch one again. I should say I kissed one of these cats but would not lick one Sat for awhile more nothing…………We moved

    3rd spot getting a little later 10:30ish I am now pretty good at detecting bites by now Um ya no. He picks the rod up and feels it for a bit then sweeps it back the rod is keeled over and goes HERE oh ya here was right. Not sure how long it was but that lill bite that he noticed put me one hell of a fight!!! Not sure how long we went but 2 Sturgeon jumps with one behind the boat and one right by the side I saw the and felt the pure power of these fish.
    Needless to say that 5 or 6 six runs we were able to net this beast!!!

    She went 59 inches and tipped the scale @ 49# Wow is all I can say. I think my pictures show how I felt. A perfect net job and a few quick pics along with a quick lesson to revive a Sturgeon she was off back to the deeps of the sippi!

    Thanks Brian! Cant wait to do it again.

    P.S. I think I might be rigging for the darkside very very soon.




    stuart
    Mn.
    Posts: 3682
    #610204

    Nice to meet you yesterday John.Told you ya would have a good night!Thats a heck of a nice first sturgeon.

    marty28
    Mendota Heights, MN
    Posts: 280
    #610205

    Awesome fish! nothing beats that feeling. Now you’re going to have to come up for the Sturgeon Excursion and experience a whole weekend of sturgeon fishing!

    rod-man
    Pine City, MN.
    Posts: 1279
    #610206

    sweet fish!!!
    congrats
    way to go Brian another convert

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #610209

    The only thing more fun than catching a large fish yourself is watching a newbie get into a good fish.

    The bite was very slow last night compaired to Wed night. In fact only three fish came to the boat. We were using shad and Realator Ron’s special treated shrimp. The fish seemed to have a preferance for the shad/shrimp combo.

    We were fishing in 25 to 55 feet of water with 2 of the three fish coming out of 25 to 27 feet.

    Light bites were the norm. Our bait was being robbed consistantly with just little twitchs on the rod ends. The channels and the sturgeon bit the same …sunfish pecks.

    John’s 10 pound channel gave him a good fight, but the 3-4 pounder seemed to fight harder…and well, the sturgeon…gave John a new respect for MN’s fresh water fish. “Why would anyone want to kill something like this? It’s twice my age!”

    Watching John was a hoot! I didn’t get to see the fish jump as I was pulling in the back anchor and clearing the other lines. I heard a “WHOOAA!” then turned to see a very, very large splash each time. Five times I heard…”It’s taking all the line out that I just reeled in!” as I stood holding the net chuckling.

    I could tell that John was a big fish guy. The way he took care and asked questions about the catching and releasing of this dinosaur spoke highly of his concern for the quick and safe release.

    It was good to finally meet you John. I’m glad your first experiance on the river was one that will last in your mind for a while.

    PS…I didn’t say the tradition was to “lick” your first cat…you were to french kiss it! (Look at the photo…she was ready. )

    col._klink
    St Paul
    Posts: 2542
    #610199

    Man that was fun. After I showed my dad the pictures of the fish we caught and told him about the basics he is really pumped to try it. In fact I think a trip to Fleet Farm might happen (Like in 15 mins. )

    Honestly that was something I will never forget. The wierd part is I never even new that there was a decent population.

    If I can muster a partner to head north for the Sturgeon Excursion I am there

    Brian and I were talking about how strong those fish are and reeling them in. Well my left arm is a little dead today. I got up and went bow hunting this morning. Didnt see anything but I tried to pull my bow back………….got er back but I was a little shaky!

    I think that this guy might be heading down to Everts more often!!!

    Thanks again Brian

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #610221

    Everts can’t help you with the shrimp…but we have the shad…
    A group came in this morning reporting very good success on channel cats. Sonny’s stink bait and shad was the ticket for them.

    …and don’t forget the peanut butter cookies….that scrooge Dean didn’t leave me any. Although I haven’t checked his freezer yet.

    stuart
    Mn.
    Posts: 3682
    #610225

    BK your always blaming me for breaking and selling Dean’s stuff.Don’t you wonder if there was cookies at the shop YESTERDAY

    david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    #610245

    Congrats on the fish John!

    I hope you let Brian bait the hook with that funky shrimp maranade!

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #610247

    That was the deal Dave…I baited his hook and he lifted the anchor out of 50 some feet of water with a flow of 14000….

    col._klink
    St Paul
    Posts: 2542
    #610281

    Was nice to meet you to Stuart.

    Whatever BK was stinkin up the bottom of the river with was fine by me!

    I am offering to be the anchor lady for anybody looking for a guy (As long as fishing is the only thing involved )

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