The Original Sturgeon Excursion - April 19, 2008

[ec30_06]

Looking forward to this event. I can't wait to try out some of the new cattin rods on these sturgeon!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Yeah, I was thinking about placing an order for a few things that I need before the trip.

Then I watched da_chise31's video.

Time to go make that order.

Can't wait for the fun!!!

[Shamu]

I can't wait. Now I have the itch. I am buying a new rod and reel for the event. I am going to be replacing my one that I lost last year. With the same pole and new Aubu 6501c catfishing reel.

[crazyice]

Only nine weeks to go! Anyone else getting stoked for this?

[Tyler Holm]

 Originally Posted By: crazyice

Only nine weeks to go! Anyone else getting stoked for this?

All extremities raised

[Tyler Holm]

Every year we go through this, but man it's been cold this winter. Lots of ice to breakup up north in the next 8 weeks.

[hanson]

I'm not sure how thick the ice is on LOW as I haven't been up there this year but URL's ice is nearly 1' behind in thickness IMO. I was finding a touch over 24" or so when we are normally looking at 36". Too much snow for the ice to form but that snow will also have to be melted off for the ice to break up as well.

The river will be open again.

[Ralph Wiggum]

 Originally Posted By: hanson

I was finding a touch over 24" or so when we are normally looking at 36".

If you want 36", go to Cool Cats!

[Tyler Holm]

 Originally Posted By: hanson

The river will be open again.

I know, but I hope we don't have to drive to Int Falls.

Awe, I'm sure it will be fine. I had every bit as much fun in the river as in the bay.

[iffwalleyes]

Ice is always a concern but it is really way to early to already be talking about it as a concern. It most likely will be just fine.

[FearNoFish]

I would LOVE to take part but no boat. Any one have an open seat for the weekend wouold love to try fighting something like that. person largest is 56in from lake st.croix a few years back. shoot me an email [email protected]

[crazyice]

FearNoFish- I am sure that someone will have a spot. I know that the boat I am in is booked full, but I have heard that others usually offer up spots.

[harvey lee]

I would watch this thread close and someone may post that they have room for some others.

[Birdmasterfisher]

Man am I ready to fish some sturgeon again. Last year was a blast and this year will be too. We are booked up for twelve this year a couple more than last year. Its a great time last year we boated like 75 in a day and a half with 2 running that 60" range man I cant wait.

[eyepatrol]

Last year was a blast, no doubt. da_chise31 really put the torque to the fish he got. 55"er in the boat in 15 minutes! doh!

You all have fun up there! I know I cashed in a lot of my fun the first night.

[crazyice]

50 days and counting!! tic toc tic toc

This time will fly by with all the different spring activities that will lead up to this event.

[harvey lee]

 Originally Posted By: Ralph Wiggum

Yeah, I was thinking about placing an order for a few things that I need before the trip.

Then I watched da_chise31's video.

Time to go make that order.

Can't wait for the fun!!!

You can now purchase your no-roll sinker for river fishing here.

http://www.outdoorprostore.com/catfish-sturgeon-tackle.html

[DTro]

This is just a theory and I could very well be way off the chart on this one.

I think no rolls might have an advantage when it comes to Sturgeon. The more you can keep your bait in place the easier it will be for that whisker fish to find it and pick it up. Short leader with no roll should help with that.

I know in deeper water, the no roll will act like a sail and twist a bit on the way down, but if you keep a tight line on it as it goes down it's usually not a big deal.

For all I know, maybe it doesn't matter, but just my theory. Can't hurt to pick a few up and try.

[crazyice]

Darren, that is right about them twisting in deeper water, I have learned that the hard way. After casting out to deep water and just letting it settle down, only later to pull it up in a tangled mess, where if you kind of float it down with a tight line like you said will eliminate most of this.

[Bigeye30"]

Hey guys, I got a couple of questions (o.k maybe quite a few) for you on this sturgeon thing,

I've never fished them before and have contemplated the trip for the past couple of years, plus it sounds like you guys certainly have fun up there.

From what I've read is that your fishing the Rainy, are you guys able to run large boats by this time generally? years past I've gone up for the spring eyes and we've only been able to take the 14 footers due to having to push them out from the ice buildup on shore,

Out of curiosity what can an average angler anticipate for numbers per day? I understand there are numerous factors involved, but on an average year, are you guys boating a few fish per boat per day or is the action a little faster or slower?

I wouldn't anticipate that the action is anything overly fast, but am curious as to the overall odds of actually catching one or two.

What would a guy need for tackle, am I going to have to fill another tackle box with jigs, rigs etc.

What about rods? I've got a couple muskie rigs that I think would work, as well as some lake trout setups,heavy rods but shorter, but nothing in regards to catfish or sturgeon.

What type of line do you run? Or should I say are the sturgeon sensitive to various line types? What test pound would be sufficient?

How are these things actually fished, drifting, anchoring,trolling,etc

Last but not least, various baits that are used? Live, artificials or homemades of some sort?

I know that's alot of questions, but any input would be appreciated before I evolve myself into another style of fishing?

It certainly sounds like alot fun, and definately has my curiosity. Thanks for the info

[Ralph Wiggum]

Big boats, yes. You might have to launch upstream a ways, but we were fine last year.

Last year, with 3 in the boat, we averaged around 20 per day (I wrote them all down).

Tackle box - heavy-duty barrel swivels, no-roll or bank sinkers (2-4 ounce), and some 2/0-5/0 circle hooks.

Muskie rods will work, but it helps to have a rod with a light tip for bite detection.

Line type doesn't matter to fish. Superlines I would go 50-80 lb. As for mono, 20 or 25 lb works great.

Two anchors are helpful Let your bait sit on the bottom and wait. The more stationary your bait and boat, the better.

A couple nightcrawlers on your hook is probably your best bet.

As for the rig, it's your basic slip-sinker rig. Put your sinker on the main line, tie on your swivel, and have a 6-12" leader (same as your main line) to your hook.

That's as complicated as it is.

Good luck! You'll be hooked.

[crazyice]

I didn't make the trip last year, and only got in on the sturgeon action on the St. Croix. After a nearly 70 fish day on that river I was definately hooked, I am eagerly waiting for this weekend to come up! As Ralph said, it is as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. I think that the most important thing though that I learned from my experience is a sensitive rod. Sturgeon are notoriously light bitters, in all those @70 fish we caught I don't remember a single one making a "screaming run". They actually feel more like a bluegill bite than a big fish. Now imagine trying to feel that bite with a musky rod?

[harvey lee]

You'll have a great time Crazyice at the Sturgeon Excursion. I would totally agree on a rod with a light or fast tip. I have had sunfish hit harder than those sturgeon creatures.

Ralph hit the nail on the head as far as the simple set up for these fish and as many will state, a rod with a sensitive tip will really help. Doesnt hurt to have a reel with a clicker either as you wont always have to watch your rod tip.

[Bigeye30"]

I was afraid the answers were going to be like that, lol looks like I better inform the other guys, lol. This site just seems to keep amazing me, post a question, Wait a few minutes and walla, Thanks for the info, my guess is I'll be there, given one or two more o.ks from pending friends. Might have to look over the rod selection. Maybe the crankbait rods I use for pulling boards will be better suited. Thanks for the info

[harvey lee]

If you might be interested in a less expensive rod that would work very well,check out the King Kat line at Cabelas for around $25.00. I have caught sturgeon up to 55" with this rod and it will also handle those larger Flatheads on the Minnesota if you catfish.