April 20th, 2007 - Sturgeon Excursion

[eyepatrol]

I was just thinking it might be tough to get an accurate length with a straight measuring device on those bigger fish like the one dtro had shown on the previous page.

[harvey lee]

Go get um Eric. I will see you Friday night. Good Luck.

[Ralph Wiggum]

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I was just thinking it might be tough to get an accurate length with a straight measuring device on those bigger fish like the one dtro had shown on the previous page.

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Laying them on the floor of the boat works well (if the boat's big enough ).

[iffwalleyes]

Well I just had a slight change with my group for my cabin this weekend. I now have 3 open beds available if anyone is interested. If you are let me know. I don't plan on doing much there other than sleeping. I plan on being in the boat as long as possible and the lounge as long as possible . Setterguy did you ever locate a room?

[DTro]

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and the lounge as long as possible

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I can't imagine why. Maybe since I came across this pic from last year.

ok.....wives/girlfriends....calm down I was only kidding

[iffwalleyes]

Man Dtro I didn't remeber your crew looking so good last year. I see the big mugs but man that don't look like Hanson and Papa Gump . Say if they are looking for a place to crash I have room for 3 .

[cluelessfisherman]

Sure wish I could make it this year, but it's my weekend at work. I wish everyone the best of luck landing some piggies! I'll be up the weekend after the excursion if anyone decides to come back up for a second round of fun - I may see ya on the water!!

Oh yeah - be careful on those little sturgs - they can open up a guys hand like razors if you're not careful especially whan your hands are wet and soft already from landing so many fish! A guy I know grabbed a little one a year or so ago and it started wiggling in his hand - guess it was a pretty bad scene! You might want to bring the fish handling glove with...

[setterguy]

I did talk to the guy from Schusters yesterday, and he found us a spot to lay our heads...I asked if it was with Tyler, only because he had offered and the guy said no we were going to be with "doc" from ND.

[setterguy]

Since I have never been Sturgeon fishing before, and never been to the Rainy before I have a few questions....

Gear. I am planning on bringing Catfish rods with Muskie reels. I have them spooled with 80 pound tufline with 100 pound swivels and a 8' 20lb test leader, tied to a 2/0 red circle hook. Any thoughts or suggestions on line, hook size, or anything else?

Boat: I am very new to any kind of river fishing, will my 40lb anchor be sufficient keeping my 17' boat in place or should I invest in another one for the rear of the boat?

Thanks guys.

[Mark Christianson]

I'm no expert on this Setterguy, but I would go with a heavier leader, shorten it up a lot, and go with a much larger hook.

We used 40lb mono, 8-12 inches long with 4/0 or 5/0 hooks.

Not saying its the perfect set up, but I think you should up size a couple notches.

[Ralph Wiggum]

20 lb mono is very sufficient, but I would not use a mono leader with braid main. Just use the braid of your mainline for a leader, and shorten it to 12-18".

I think you'll be fine with that hook. You could upsize. I don't think it's too critical. I know people who are successful with smaller hooks than that and bigger hooks, too.

[Ralph Wiggum]

As for the anchor, I don't know the conditions up there. I would think a 40 lb would keep you planted!!! That is one heavy sucker. Keep in mind you will more than likely be pulling it up if/when you hook a big fish. What type of anchor is it?

[Scott M]

Forecast is calling for rain......

[eyepatrol]

I got my rain gear packed!

[Tyler Holm]

fiskyknut, drop me an email and let me know if we're still a go for Thrus & Friday. I should be there around noonish on Thurs and I'll want to get wet ASAP.

[Tyler Holm]

Another hint. Clear the Clutter!

If you solely plan on fishing Sturgeon, you can take the electric trolling motor off your boat. You won't need it (unless you want to use it as a backup motor for emergency). These fish will run circles around your boat and you will get good and running your rod under your front anchor rope. The trolling motor in the bow makes this tougher.

Leave your walleye net at home. If you only have a standard size eye net, it does you no good on even a decent size sturgeon. Your better off grabbing it by the tail and under the belly and lifting it in. A standard size net might allow you to net suckers, pout, and dink sturgeon, but that's it.

Take these tips for what they are worth. Last year we had a walleye net in the boat as our only net and we ended up not even attempting to use it on larger fish. We also had the bow mount trolling motor attached and never got it wet. It was in the way about 100% of the time.

[setterguy]

Thanks for the tips guys, so you think that using a braided leader is fine? I guess the visibility really isn't a factor at 30' in a river huh? Thanks again, we are really looking forward to this trip. Weather only says 30% chance of rain....if they can swim in it, I can fish in it.

[Ralph Wiggum]

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Thanks for the tips guys, so you think that using a braided leader is fine?

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I don't think they are line shy in the least. I've caught plenty with strictly 80lb Power Pro.

[wall_eye_assasin]

Has anyone heard the ice condition since it has been so nice this week? Not long now. See you guys soon

[fiskyknut]

Vidas ramp had opened up Sunday. That truck was still sticking up thru the ice out there on 4mile Sunday too!

Gotta be getting closer and closer with this sweeeet weather though?

fiskyknut

[DTro]

I'm pretty sure I am seeing a patch of open water on the North side of Sportsmans webcam.

We might be able to dock at Schusters yet!

[harvey lee]

Thats what I thought also Darren. Two more days of warm weather and things might look pretty good.

[Tim_Anderson]

Hey guys,

Sorry I won't be able to make it this weekend, but I'm going to try my first FM photo upload, and maybe it will get you guys fired up for the big weekend. Caught this one last Saturday....snagged it while walleye fishing. Sturgie was 62 inches long, and though I didn't girth it, guessing it was at least low to mid twenties...fattest one I ever caught. Good luck guys....

[harvey lee]

Very nice fish Tim. I hope I have the chance to wrestle with one that big.

[aanderud]

What's the fastest way to tow a boat from Burnsville to Baudette? I haven't ever made that drive. Yes, I know how to use mapquest and google maps and the like, but I'm wondering from people who have actually made the drive -- sometimes those map sites are on crack. Oh yeah, I'll be leaving burnsville near the mall at about 5:00 pm thursday, if that makes a difference as to which direction to head. Thanks!