1st Sturgeon

Ok guys, this is my first post on this side of IDO but my son insisted.

Around 7:30 tonight my 13-year-old started a battle with the fish of a life time. With some luck and him good on the rod, we managed to land this fish to get him a few pics before sending her back to the river.

This fish was about 56″ long and I estimate the weight at over 40# but I could be way off, I’m not that familiar with fish this size in the boat and did not have a 50# scale or even a tape long enough. The battle lasted about 30 minutes and all this on a 6’6″ medium action Quantum and Shimano Sedona 2000 with 8# mono.

I took a few of this gal swimming along side the boat just in case we did not land her. I tried to grab her by the tail a few times but that just made her mad

To say the least, he was absolutely thrilled!

So, congrats to my son on his big catch today

Dave

Nice, smile on his face say’s it all.

Umm…EyesandDuck? Kinda puts your avatar to shame, I would say!

I think your son learned how to use the drag on a reel today!

Great catch and a photo for the wall for sure!

Very nice fish. I caught a 54″ yesterday that went 37 lb so I would say that over 40 would be a good estimate. Congrats to your son.

congrats.. very very nice.. way to go

Congratulations to the little guy

Just a little heads up though, if you support the fishes weight under its side with your leg or one hand. And not just pick it up by its gill plates, it will be released with less stress and less chance of injury.

That fish is something for anyone to be proud of.

Thanks guys, Yeah, sorry for not catching him holding her by the gill plates. In all the excitement I did not even really notice until I was getting the pics off the camera. I should have caught that. He was so excited and I just wanted to get a few quick pics and her back in the water.

We’ll be sure to watch the hold next time.

Dave

Nice Fish!!!

According to my chart, the weight should be between 43 – 50#. All depends on the girth.

Congrats to the youngun. Now we have converted another one to the dark side.

Awesome catch! Nice job by ‘the Kid’.

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Thanks guys, Yeah, sorry for not catching him holding her by the gill plates. In all the excitement I did not even really notice until I was getting the pics off the camera. I should have caught that. He was so excited and I just wanted to get a few quick pics and her back in the water.

We’ll be sure to watch the hold next time.

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Glad to hear that. I am sure the fish was none the worse for wear. We all want to increase our chances of landing fish and I like it when I hear people as concerned about the chances of the fish surviving the release.

I didn’t notice what section we are in here, but was that a St. Croix/Mississippi sturgeon or LOTWs? If that’s from the former, she looks nice and fat for that body of water. I am guessing that is where you caught her since the avatar says SE MN and that is a fatty. I am used to seeing pencils from down here.

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…on a 6’6″ medium action Quantum and Shimano Sedona 2000 with 8# mono.

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Impressive for a kid to be able to play a fish, as I am sure he had to, and not want to get ahead of themselves.

Congratulations again!

Now that is a true river monster

Mplspug,

The fish was caught on pool 5A and was hooked in about 12′ of water while walleye fishing. The fish was solid and looked pretty healthy from what I could tell and she swam away with a big flick of her tail.

Yes, Zack got a real lesson in patience and on using the drag. There were a few times when she started to surface that he got really excited but he did an awesome job with her and was more than a little excited – and still this morning.

To top it off, at one time during the battle he said “Dad, the reel is coming off the rod”. I had to step in and re-seat the reel but all went well after that.

Thanks again.

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To top it off, at one time during the battle he said “Dad, the reel is coming off the rod”. I had to step in and re-seat the reel but all went well after that.

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Wow! To notice that as well in the moment is pretty good. I am sure this is not the last big one he’s going to land with that patience and attention.