Sturgeon rod?

I’ve been reading up on St. Croix ice sturgeon and it sounds awesome. My biggest rod is a 34″ md/heavy that works for walleye but I’ve read not so much for sturgeon. I’d have to track it down again, but one post I found recommended two specific rods (one had “sturgeon” in the name) but they were both out of stock everywhere I looked.

Can anybody recommend a budget friendly option? I’ve learned it best to use a standard 3000+ reel so I’ve got that covered but looking for a cheap-ish tank that I could use to see if I can catch me one of these dinosaurs . Ideally it would be 38″ or less to still fit in my rod case.

I’d also be open to more expensive options I suppose but doubt I’d do this more than 1-2 times a year.

13 infared 42 mh is what I use. They were like 20 bucks a couple years ago and work great for big pike. I have 2 brand new if you want 1. 20 bucks.

Nice I’ll take a look have you actually fished/caught sturgeon? I’ve found a few good youtubes/articles so far but would be open for any additional tips from people who have actually caught a sturgeon of any size out of the St. Croix!

also just noticed your rods were 38+ — I found the xh one I read about earlier but out of stock for now, surely I’ll be able to find one similar but at 38″:

40" XH Sturgeon Ice Rod

I have landed many rainy river ice fishing sturgeon on it and many big walleye. Very underrated rod. I originally bought these to jig 1 oz jigs on the river. Have landed 4 eyes over 28 and probably 10 sturgeon over 40 but under 58

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The one your looking at is sold out
But that rod looks perfect for what you need as well

The new baitshop in Stillwater has some affordable options for you. Check out the Apex Predator (also available on Amazon) and Mudpuppy Tackle.

My favorite and what I use are Wolfram Custom.

Jason Mitchell Mack rods are an affordable option that work well – I have a MH I use for Pike and a H that I use for sturgeon.

Mudpuppy XH is okay – I have one for sturgeon but I might switch it over to a pike rod and get another Mack for my guest sturgeon setup. I’m not a huge fan of the guides that were on that one, which it looks like has been remedied on their new XXH Hilines.

Wolfram Custom – I have two, and they are nice. If you spend a lot of time going for sturgeon, they will treat you well.

Frostbite slugger would be an awesome rod. I caught a 36 and a 40 inch lake trout through the ice on one last year and it handled them like a boss. It’d do just fine with a sturg.

I have built a couple of sturgeon rods for myself to test. I have yet to catch a sturgeon on them. I can look up the blanks I used if you would like to go the DIY route and make your own rod.

TUCR has a rod called the SturgePurge that we don’t really talk about much. But it’s designed just for sturgeon.

Lost wrote:

Jason Mitchell Mack rods are an affordable option that work well – I have a MH I use for Pike and a H that I use for sturgeon.

Thanks y’all this 40″ xh Mack rod is looking like the winner so far, based on price/availability. Guessing I can fit it in my 38″ rod case with a little creativity. I’ll go custom once I become addicted to ice sturgeon.

broeker wrote:

I’ve been reading up on St. Croix ice sturgeon and it sounds awesome. My biggest rod is a 34″ md/heavy that works for walleye but I’ve read not so much for sturgeon. I’d have to track it down again, but one post I found recommended two specific rods (one had “sturgeon” in the name) but they were both out of stock everywhere I looked.

Can anybody recommend a budget friendly option? I’ve learned it best to use a standard 3000+ reel so I’ve got that covered but looking for a cheap-ish tank that I could use to see if I can catch me one of these dinosaurs . Ideally it would be 38″ or less to still fit in my rod case.

I’d also be open to more expensive options I suppose but doubt I’d do this more than 1-2 times a year.

I second the JM Mack rod. For a budget option you can’t beat it.

Lots of nice choices out there that are inexpensive. For me it has to have strong back bone, of course. It also helps alot with a softer tip to control the runs and drag of the real with out horsing it potentially breaking the 8 test line. Though this gets spendy’er but worth it for a more enjoyable catch. I broke down this fall bought one of those noodle or was it a sweetheart. Dang that thing handled a 52 inch no problem a weak and a half ago on the st.croix.
Side note; fishing for walleye with 1 1/2 jigging rap with minnow head came up and hit on the up stroke. Dindnt know they would do that. Then again on the graph I thought it was a blob of shad going through.

As long as it’s got the flexibility of a pool cue you will be fine.

What is really the difference between a $20 heavy action 13 fishing rod and a $100 custom heavy action rod? I wouldn’t know because I haven’t gotten into the sturgeon bit yet but I am guessing it’s not much of a difference.

From what I’ve read, not much? Most seem to recommend an xh that is longer than 40″ and those don’t seem to be widely available but there are a ton of h or mh options.

Aboxy17 wrote:

What is really the difference between a $20 heavy action 13 fishing rod and a $100 custom heavy action rod? I wouldn’t know because I haven’t gotten into the sturgeon bit yet but I am guessing it’s not much of a difference.

At one point, the Wolfram Custom was the ONLY rod that had an XXH action with a long butt section (needed for leverage). Other companies have since copied that design. Also, please don’t use 8lb test on these fish, use at least 30. When you catch a few over 60 you will understand why.

Don’t think anyone is suggesting when targeting sturgeon to use 8 test but good clarification when targeting sturgeon. The quicker the better one gets one on ice the better for the fish.
Though my experience i prefer a forgiving tip even during soft water when I target them. I don’t target them on hard ice. Just prefer fall time in the boat.

Tip; put a swivel 3ft up to minimize twist Iin the line when they circle or role. I also do this to gauge where walleye are in relation to the hole to minimize catching the jig rap on the bottom of the hole.

I’ve been waiting on my new rod and watching vids/reading articles before I head out, and based on several recommendations I’m going to start with either 50 lb straight braid or braid-to-braid leader on a heavy duty swivel snap.

I happened to find an old IDO (s12/ep 9) of them pulling a GIANT out of the St. Croix about 5 minutes after dropping their lines, and holy cow, I’m almost nervous to get one of these on my line. I usually fish solo and this seems like it a could be a two man job.

Also the guest fisher on that episode shows a bobber technique i never would have thought of in a million years — instead of in the water, he builds a small “snowman” and places the bobber on top on slack line. The second a fish touches his bait it flies off and he sets the hook. Looks very effective based on his results.

p.s. i just got to the part of the video where they recommend 20lb braid because the current won’t take it downstream as fast as 50lb — sounds good to me!

Also, I just watched what may be the single greatest ice fishing video of all time, capturing the MN state record sturgeon (estimated 120 pounds and roughly 100 years old) coming through the ice in 2019:

I’d recommend watching a few of Darren’s (3Rivers) videos on the “how-to” for sturgeon. I’ve never found a need for building the snowman, just set the foam bobber to rest at about a 45deg angle in the hole. If it lays flat or stands up straight, there is likely something messing with your bait. Be prepared to catch a lot of mudpuppy’s, they are common.

I run minimum 30lb braid for sturgeon in the winter. There isn’t that much current in the Bayport area, so no need to go light. Also keep in mind that the fishing is much slower in the winter than in the fall. But once you do get one, be prepared to get addicted and spend the rest of your winters waiting for those little foam bobbers to move…

For my sturgeon setup I run a carbon x size 2000 on a 42in. Heavy carbon rod I made. Size 3 fly guides to prevent icing and an 8in straight grip cork handle. Anything honestly that has a solid backbone and slightly heavier blank with an even taper should work good – a longer handle might be better as well to ease strain on the wrist with a longer fight.