Line shy

Are sturgeon line shy? I think so. Not in the normal sense in that they do not shy from the main line or by sight. I think they are so sensitive to touch that they shy away from stiff leaders that connect the hook to the main line. I have been using Tuffline for the past few years for leader material because it is so soft. I think sturgeon shy away from mono because it is so stiff particularly in the heavier sizes we use for such large (hopefully) fish.

What is your experience or have you tried different materials?

I don’t think so. I have had very good success with 25lb Big Game mono. If Tuffline gives you confidence, though, it is a good line.

That does seem to make sense Northstar, but there’s too many people like Ralf that have disproved that. Would we catch more and larger fish by lightening/softening up the leader?

That is the real question.

BTW Welcome to IDO!!

61″ 25lb Trilene Big Game

I’m not saying we don’t catch fish with mono leaders or even that we don’t catch large fish. I’m saying we catch more fish overall. That is what has worked for us. We have given up on mono for main line also unless we have a shock leader like salt water fishing because if they jump, they tend to roll and the scoots cut the line. Braided line does not seem to do that.

Thanks for having me. I’m sorry I didn’t find this site sooner. Found it on a Google search.

Yeah, I frankly think I catch just as many on mono. You do need to be careful to keep any eye on it, as the scutes can scrape the heck out of it.

To each his own!