Sturgeon fishing help (lake), WI

Hello,

First post was hoping for some help…. I have a cabin on a lake in WI that produces good sturgeon. We’ve tried for two years now with no luck besides seeing boats next to us catch fish. Last year we used a rig similar to the link you’ll see here
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/5470GATOR_RIG.jpg

We have primarily used worms on the hook and wondering if we should mix it up with anything else? really trying to have a better shot this year.

I’ve tried to keep it simple over the years.

My leader is the same as my main line, 80 pound hi vis Tug O War by Team Catfish. Use whatever line you have. Sturgeon are not leader or line shy.

I would lose the round sinker as it can roll around on the bottom. Sturgeon don’t like moving targets. A flat No Roll sinker or a Bank sinker that keeps your bait in one spot is a must have. I use a 4 oz no roll all year, even when I could get by with a 1 oz sinker because it’s a slip sinker, the fish seldom can feel the weight until it’s too late.

If you aren’t getting the tap tap tap of a sturgeon when using crawlers I would look at the sinker set up first. You could try a few dead and alive fathead minnows. Some have good luck with a minnow worm minnow sandwich.

PS Big sturgeon will find your weakest link. Dump the second swivel, two less knots to break.

My .02 cents.

Thanks, is there any sturgeon pre-made rigs I can buy?

I’m not sure why a person would want to buy them(?)

Sinker on your main line, a 80 pound test or better swivel, 18″ of whatever you’re using for a main line attached to your hook.

This is my flathead catfish rig.

For sturgeon, I would be using a slightly longer leader (18″) and more importantly a 3/0 to 6/0 circle hook. I bend the barb down because as long as the line is tight, you’ll seldom if ever lose a fish.

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