Sturgeon rookies

With the sturgeon fishing on the Rainy getting closer, it is close to time to get the rod and tackle ready for those prehistoric monsters.

For anyone going this year that has never fished for them, please ask your tackle or gear questions here and hopefully I or another can help you out with some info and photo’s of the tackle set up.

Here is a little baby I caught 2 years ago.

Who’s the fella with you Tom?

By the way, I know that spot. The evergreen is a dead give away.

Thats Joe.

I would guess you know that spot. I saw you at the landing not far from where we were fishing.

you have my attention! I’m intrested in seeing what ya need to catch them.

heres one we got last year catfishing on a wisconsin river 69in…what a cool fish

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heres one we got last year catfishing on a wisconsin river 69in…what a cool fish

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Yup cool fish indeed, thats why you should hold them old beast with some care man you rippen his head in half!

The rods I prefer to use are 7-8ft MH catfish rods. They have a fast tip to pick up those subtle bites and the backbone to bring them in. I prefer the baitcater style but there are spinning options out there too.

Reels- I prefer tha Abu Garcia 7000 as it has a pretty good drag, clicker and power handle. There are other options with a Abu and PENN also makes a good baitcaster,

For line, I prefer the Sufix 832 braided line in the 80-100 test area. There are others like the Power Pro and Fire Line that will also get the job done. Some do use heavier mono but the majority that I see use the braided line.

The weight I prefer to use is either a no roll or a bank sinker. I like the weights from 3-8oz depending on the current. You will want you bait to stay in one spot for the sturgeon to be able to locate and then pick it up. The weight will sldie up and down the line and hit the knot by the swivel very hard when one uses a no-roll sinker. I campher the holes on the weight so I does not have real sharp edges and then also wrap a small thin strip of elec tape tighhtly around the knot by the swivel. Anything one can do to stop the sharp edges on the no roll from hitting the knot in the line and cutting it will help. That small fish may not find that weak spot but big mama just may and your heart would sink if that happened.

For swivels, I prefer to use a 100# barrel swivel.

I use to use the 3/0-4/0 circle hooks and many do use them. I have switched to the 3/0 Abdereen hooks. You want a good strong hook as you may hook into a big one over a hundred pounds and you do not want the hook to straighten out.

I do use what I believe are some quality rods and maybe the more expensive reels but one can use others with good success.

Others please feel free to chime in with other tips for these sturg.

I will take a few photo’s of the end of the line with everything set up and post it later today.

The reason I like to use heavier gear is that I like to get the fish back to the boat asap. These fish do not mate untiul like 20 years old and are very slow growers.

I want to land that fish, take a photo and get it back into the water as fast as possible so others can also enjoy the fish.

One can use bass fishing gear and some do but the fight is for so long, one may do too much harm to the fish and decrease it’s survival rate after the release. There, done preaching now.

I am sure you may still have more questions so fire away

Here is a photo of a 5oz bank sinker on a sinker slider. The nice part about this sinker slider is that the weight is not hitting the knot on the cast. I have not had to many issues with the weight wrapping around the line when I cast. DTRO showed me the sinker slider and it was a great tip. hats off to DTRo.

When traveling from spot to spot with the rod in a rod holder standing straight up, I would not do that with the sinker slider as it could wrap the sinker around your rod or hit the rod blank and it could do damage to the rod.

I like to have about 10-12 inches of a tag end to the hook and no more so my bait does not move around too much.

If you have questions or concerns on what type bait to use, check out this link to another thread on bait.

Link<<

If anyone needs a great Rod/Reel ready to go for sturgeon, I have one of mine for sale in the Classifieds. I’m in Eau Claire a lot so I could meet some where along the way too.

Link to Classifieds<<

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For line, I prefer the Sufix 832 braided line in the 80-100 test area.

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How does the Sufix 832 compare to the Sufix Performance Braid? I just bought some new Peformance and heard a few things here and there about the 832 but no direct comparisons. Just curious what made you prefer the 832?

I still have one reel I need to get line for yet and woudn’t mind trying the 832.

Great question DTRo. I do not know if I have the correct answer but here is why I use it.

Sufix states this

Superline technical information sheet. Sufix 832 has been put to the test, and it has been scientifically proven to be the strongest, most durable small diameter braid on the market.

It states it has 8 carriers and 32 weaves per inch to make it the strongest and most abraision resistant braid on the market.

I do not know for fact that this is true but it sure seems to be good line and casts well.

I also have the other Sufix braid you speak of on another reel. Both seem to work very well.

I do not think one could go wrong with either super lines.

Your flats and sturg maybe larger than mine so you may need more in the line dept.

oh 8-32 that makes sense. I wonder if that is a differnet weave than Peformance Braid or if they changed the name?

Not a big deal I guess, just thought maybe there was something that stuck out to why you preferred it.

Thanks

I believe it is their latest greatest line on the market.

I got a sample from a supplier late last summer and tried it out.

How big was that one Tom. Sure is a beauty

Thanks

I truely do not remember. I believe it was about 63-64 inches. My largest to date and it fought like a frieght train.

I am still looking for that 70 inch plus fish. They are out there swimming around but they have not found my bait yet.

Any suggestions on different baits?
Seems we can get crawlers and minnows up there, but anything else work well??

Like maybe chicken livers, beef hearts, neighbors first born spleen, cat hair balls…or the cat??…:)

Al

All I have ever used is crawlers and minnows.

Who knows, cut bait could work but I have never needed to use any other bait.

I guess one will never know unless he tries.

ok, I guess the neighbors cat is safe for a bit longer, least till musky season…:)
Thanks

Crawlers is all we use. Bring a cutting board, knife and rag. Chop them up before installing on the hook. Cant remember the name of the bait shop right next to the landing up there but he seems to have a fair share of crawlers.

I’ve used the suckers of the Rainy with zero luck…but to be honest I didn’t give them a long time to prove themselves.

Mike, don’t you get your crawlers from Adrian’s Resort?

Hard to beat $44.00 a flat…or $33 if you’re staying there.

Sufix 80# Performance Braid is 9 strands.

I was just using Sufix’s numbers and what they state about their line.

I know nothing on how they decide what is stronger or how their weave works into that factor.

Thier website states that the 832 is the strongest and why, I have no idea.

Just wait till you read the brochure literature in the package.

Ok, good start on bait and tackle, next might be what else to bring?

It doesn’t look like there’s much need for the bow mount motor and the electronics up there??
Thinking on leaving them home.

Also someone mentioned they didn’t think the mushroom style anchor would hold well to keep the back of the boat from swinging, any suggestions ??

Clothes are pretty much a given I suspect, dress in layers and expect worst case weather.

Al

I strip my boat down to bare min. I leave the trolling motor at home, but bring the other sonar as back up and 2 seats only. I put the wife up front in a lawn chair(bag style) so she is nice and cozy with her book and beverage. If we get a good one on it only takes a second to fold it up and put it in the locker. My live wells turn into the cooler. My deck is nothing but a big dance floor.

This is a trip where little is more in my opinion. The less clutter the better and keep it simple.

Totally agree on the trolling motor. The less you have hanging over the side of the boat to get around, the better of one will be.

Those bigger ones can walk one around the boat pretty easy.

They are the king and in control. We are just along for the ride.

Less is better..ok

Sounds good, thanks much.

Now to find a good rear anchor and I think I’m almost set.

Al

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I strip my boat down to bare min. I leave the trolling motor at home, but bring the other sonar as back up and 2 seats only. I put the wife up front in a lawn chair(bag style) so she is nice and cozy with her book and beverage. If we get a good one on it only takes a second to fold it up and put it in the locker. My live wells turn into the cooler. My deck is nothing but a big dance floor.

This is a trip where little is more in my opinion. The less clutter the better and keep it simple.

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I second this. Strip the boat down. Pull the seats and bring some lawn chairs. When those big fish start movnign around the boat a clean boat is very nice.

Both the box and ricther have been the best anchors on rainy river for me.

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Less is better..ok
Sounds good, thanks much.

Now to find a good rear anchor and I think I’m almost set.
Al

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Both the box and ricther have been the best anchors on rainy river for me.

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I know what the Ricther is, but what is the “box” style??
Thanks

Al

You can do a search online and it will show you some photo’s. Lots of photos online.

I did not know if I could post a link so search away.