Sturgeon Fishing Hardware Ideas

While the Sturgeon Excursion is still fresh on our minds…..

I saw one boat using a cradle (like they use with Musky fishing) and it looked like it worked pretty well. Did anyone here on the site try that? Dan and Bob, what do you Musky guys think about that idea? It seems to me that it would be easier to stow a cradle and it potentially would handle a truly big fish better than a net. Is a cradle something you could make ?

Last year I think I missed bites because I couldn’t see my rod tip bounce. This year I tried to rig up a spring bobber, the same idea that is used with ice fishing rods. I used a piece of solid fiberglass rod that was about 1/8 inch in diameter with an old tip guide epoxied to the end. I used electrical tape to mount it on the end of my St. Croix jerkbait rod. I think it was too stiff to really do the job as I seemed to have better luck just watching the line. What do you guys look for, tip bounce or watch the line?

I wanna go back! It’s soooo much fun catching those things.

Rootski

Rootski, I use rods with a light enough tip to see the bites. I dont think I would personally try a spring bobber type system, more things for the line to get tangled on.

As for cradles, I have never tried one on sturgeon. I think the large fish might be strong enough to force them open. Its hard to beat a good, large net. I could be wrong on a sturgeon forcing them open, but I do know the strength of those fish once thy get around 60″ and over is insane. I dont think I would want to be laying over the side of the boat trying to get one into, and out of the water with a cradle. At least in a net, the fish movement is minimal, and the fish can be safely hoisted into the boat by the bucket… and the *spaz attack* happens in the boat, not hanging over the side of it.\

Just my thoughts.

I would second that Hard to beat a big net. The fish can stay in the water the entire time while removing hooks, and getting things ready for photos, and measurements. With a cradle it would be next to impossible for a guy my size( you know I am only 60″ tall) to get a big fish out of the water with a cradle. The biggest problem is that the fish will have a tendency to slide out one end of the cradle when lifted. The other real downer is that you can’t get 2 fish into a cradle, and I did see that happen a few times over the weekend. Multiple fish or double if you will, are a common thing up on the Rainy, there is no way to land a double with a cradle. We were using a big Frabill over the weekend and it was great, no problems at all. The best thing about it is the fish never leaves the water, except for photos.

Thanks for the input guys. I just wanted to float a couple of ideas out there to see what you all thought. #1 I want to handle the fish correctly, and #2 catch more of them
I think I need one of those big ‘ole catfish poles I saw some guys using. A short jerk bait rod was not the answer…things happen very fast right next to the boat and you need “soft wrists” to avoid tearing the hook out. I had one fish head for the anchor and I tried to put the brakes on him and did pop the hook out. At least I know I tie good knots…

Thanks again

Rootski

The number 4 Boss rod from Moore’s bait and tackle was the ticket for me this weekend. It is an intimidating rod when you first see it but it has a soft enough tip to detect the lightest bites and all the backbone to handle any monster fish. The Ugly stick tiger rods are also some of my favorites usually in medium light to medium action. They have an awesome tip for detecting even if a minnow farts.

Boy that sounds like the clear deal. What does a rod like that cost?

Rootski

P.S. You guys did great last weekend!

Around 70$ I believe. They have a sweet selection at moore’s stop in sometime and check em out.

so would you sooner have had a boss or a tiger rod up there? I only ask cause I am tossed for as what to get for catting, and now this weekend I will be up there so I need a rod. right now I am really leaning twords a boss. but still open for comments

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The Ugly stick tiger rods are also some of my favorites usually in medium light to medium action.

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Steve, Before the trip I bought a pair of these in Medium Light for Peggy and I, model #BWC 2200. I am very pleased with the performance of these for leverage and the tip is soft, about the top 12″-15″. And it had plenty of back bone for leverage.

Here is the Shakespeare link.

I believe I paid $57.99 each and bought them from Moore’s Bait. Bob is a good guy and will get you going in the right dorection.

Thanks Francis. Great to see you guys again.

Rootski

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so would you sooner have had a boss or a tiger rod up there? I only ask cause I am tossed for as what to get for catting, and now this weekend I will be up there so I need a rod. right now I am really leaning twords a boss. but still open for comments

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If you do more flathead fishing than channels I would get the Boss #4 or tiger medium, if you do more channels then get the tiger med light. Both will handle sturgeon just fine.

Heck if I were you just get both the Boss #4 and the tiger med light! They will probably all you will ever need for cats or sturgeon in MN and you will be able to use them both this fall on the croix!

well I think I might just have to do that, but I still have to decide what to buy right now

For now go with the #4 boss Id say!

Marc, I was using the Boss #3…have you tried one of these? It’s a great Flat/Sturgeon rod…not to confuse anyone.

I caught a number of fish on my newest St Croix…it’s more of a boat flathead rod…little stiff for the light bite of the sturgeon while in the rod holder….BUT with Power Pro..and holding on to the rod I could feel a sturgeon breathing on the crawlers!

To be clear, I wouldn’t recommend the St Croix Premier 6’10” Medium Heavy for sturgeon unless a person only had one rod for flatheads and wanted to go sturgeon fishing.