Shakers, Keepers, Peelers, Oh my!

[Pilar]

The Columbia river sturgeon fishing is hot, hot, hot! What a day. Barnyard and Pilar both bagged limits, Barns were bigger. Pilar dialed up two peelers on light tackle, one piece Loomis with 30# line. And a whole lot of fun was had by all. Thanks guys, lets do it again soon.

RW - 43"
Pilar - 43", 70", 84"

Booya Big Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1475943&a=11111870&p=38771479

Barnyard - 50"
Guest - 44"

All of that by 13:30 hours. Time to fire up the smoker again.

See ya!

The bend is your friend!



[This message has been edited by Pilar (edited 01-21-2001).]

[RW]

Pilar is the "Man". Does he have a honey hole, it is right by the big tall buildings and next to the pilings!!! Oh crap, I promised I wouldn't tell. We could start a bidding war for GPS coordinates, he doesn't know I had a hand held on board. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif jk We had a super day, lots and lots of action. Lost count of the shakers and lots of "almost legal". Those two oversized were huge!! Pilar didn't mention that my 43" was fatter than his 43"!!!

We had so much action that all of the boats around that weren't doing anything moved right on over. What a hoot! I have only sturgeon fished a few times, and this was the BEST. Thanks again Pilar. RW

[nivtup]

OK Pilar,

Oh great master of the great whites, please share, I am headed down this weekend and would love to get into some action like you had.

Just email the GPS coordinates, lol.

Great sounding trip.



[This message has been edited by nivtup (edited 12-29-2000).]

[Barnyard]

I have truley been in the presence of greatness....After spending an extra hour finding the launch, I noticed a rig with the plate PEELER. Little did I know! Spent as enjoyable day on the river as I have in a long, long time( Thanks Pilar & R.W. for puttin us where they were)...Bet we had 50-80 bites, hooked at least 30-40(at least for a shake or two)I won't tell you who had the hot pole. Pilar did get the big boys. The 6 footer was as fat as I've ever seen.(Thanks Marie)Pilar you ARE the MAN!!!!!My new best friend!!!!


P.S. The Bend IS your friend!!!!!!!!!!!
Will repay Springer time

[Barnyard]

Gotta add a Thanks Jen for allowing us to meet fellow fishing fools!!!!

[RW]

O.K. Barnyard, you had the hot rod!!!! We will give you that, but NO MORE!! http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif It was fun to meet ya man, take care and see ya on the water again. RW

BTW Barn, you should have seen that seven footer, my eyes were a bulgin'. Fat and sassy!

[Pilar]

Columbia river great white report 12/30/00

Pilar - 50" FATTIE!
Jughead - 51" FATTIE!

Limited by 08:30, caught 30 fish in 4 hours. We hung around till noon so we could have a few adult beverages and gloat a little. Same story smelt, rotten salmon eggs rolled up and fast and furious action. One more peeler on for about a minute until the swivel parted. The fish are biting very reluctantly.

This all is happening between Hayden Island and the confluence of the mainstem Willamette and the Columbia river. Gotta go, my patio is being destroyed by the 50" gator. Hey fish get in the smoker!

The bend is your friend!

[Hookset]

Nice day on the water fellow fishers!!

So just suppose a person was interested in doing some catching instead of wishing and fishing. What bait would you recommend for some leathery toothless dinosuars that swim?
I need to do some catching and stop all this fishing and wishing.

thanks, hook

[Pilar]

Hey hookset. Is this your first sturgeon rodeo? We use a 7/0 or 6/0 gamakatsu octopus hooks on 18" of white dacron leader, I think its 80#. The sinker must slide, they make gizmos called slide-o's that do this.

The hook gets snelled on and we put a surgeons loop at the end of the leader big enough to push a smelt through. The appearance does not matter, it's all smell since at 100' there is very little light and this fish is very smell oriented anyway. Just check out his beady little eyes.

Thread the leader through a smelts mouth and down the backbone with the hook pulled up to the corner of its mouth. Half hitch the tail 2 or 3 times and try not to spin the bait. Some people clip off the tail blade to prevent spin. I rig several leaders and bait them all. When you bait up simply put the loop through the swivel eye and thread the smelt through the loop in the end of the leader.

I have found that keeping the meat out of the water for any length of time causes the fish to move on to your neighbors boat. This is such a big deal that I fish two rods. Reel one up and immediately cast out the prebaited spare. Maximum bottom time with your bait is a must.

Barnyard was using some yellow colored concoction from Tillamook bait company for sturgeon. I couldn't see the label as it was destroyed from use. I use anise/cravex or WD-40. Make sure you shake up the anise because the stuff separates from the cravex.

There you go buddy, I didn't mean to write a sturgeon primer, but there you go. It amazes me how many people fish for these guys and don't seem to have a clue. Result is they watch me hammer fish all day and they go home frustrated.

The bend is your friend!

[Hookset]

Pilar,

Thanks for the info, got more tech then you can shake a rod at. I was really only looking to find out the hot bait. I've been fishing for sturgeon for a number of years. Sometimes the bait of choice changes and actually I was kind of hoping something other then smelt(cheaper)accounted for the majority of your fish. Since I don't have any and hate to pay 7$ or $8 dollars a pound, or whatever the going rate is. After all, fishing 4 rods and hooking 80 fish is going to cost a bundle unless you netted your own smelt. We need to find a less expensive bait that is available all year. Ever use chicken livers? How about imitation crab meat? This sounds like the making of a new post.

Interesting method threading the bait back through the loop connecting the leader to the swivel. I use a Berkley 250lb barrel swivel and attach a 150lb McMahon snap to it to attach leaders, double the loop end of the leader before threading on the snap. I also like your method using 2 rods. I always have a spare rod ready to go and extra bait pre-rigged.

How are you using old eggs? Using some netting to hold together? Guess any fish part can and will work. I often wondered if strips of squaw fish (non gamefish) would work. Like I said earlier, should start a new thread on sturgeon bait.

thanks for the info Pilar,

hook

[Barnyard]

Hook...Smelt will be happenin in a month or two so ya better get to the Cow....7 or 8 a dz just don't cut it....Hey Great one, will be down Monday!!!!Ya fishin?????


Hook I was usein Maries Love juice.....

[Nanook]

Told you so. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif Slowed the next day
though, big time. You probably sore
mouthed em all or ran them off with
your music http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif. What kind of boat you
got again....so I can check before
I anchor http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Happy New Year
******

[Pilar]

Hey, ******, it's an old story.... You should have been there yesterday.

You can tell it's my boat because,

1) Everyone on board is standing up with a big buckled rod.
2) Adult beverage containers litter the deck.
3) There is a rope (or ropes) with fish on it deployed behind the boat.
4) We are quiet and respectful (not!) of the other fishers nearby.
5) The coleman cookstove is going on the engine cover and those not dialing in fish or handling rods are pigging out.
6) The big blond guy is on the cell phone harrassing other individuals that declined church attendance on that particular day.
7) The fat lady sings at maximum volume all day.

How can I spot your boat?


The bend is your friend!

[alwyze fishin]

Hey Pilar thanks for the info. Fished Kelly point area on 12-31-00 hooked about 30+ fish most were between 39” to 41” did finally pull in 3 keepers 42”, 43”, 44” between 3 of us. The boat next to us had landed a 6 footer.
What a cluster fu--. In that area that has to be I think the worst day on have seen in that area. Didn’t hear no loud music. Did see three boats in that mess that had the hot rods

Jeff alwyze fishin


[This message has been edited by alwyze fishin (edited 01-03-2001).]

[Barnyard]

Thanks for puttin up with me...Was a sick dog....Never did get my head on straight...

[Nanook]

Great response Pilar.

Yes you can.
http://communities.msn.com/NanooksOregon

http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

******

[Beer Waggin]

Hey Pilar, where do you put in at? I'm heading out to church on Sunday (I love that), but I've never put around there. Are you going to be attending?

[RW]

Hey Pilar, When you were talking about a fat lady singing on your boat, you were referring to Opera music RIGHT. Not any real female that has fished with you in the recent past??????????? RW http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Pilar]

Hey RW, of course not! You know, the fat lady who sings opera and wears the armor and horned helmet.

NorRiverDave - We usually go to Marine Park in Vancouver. East of I-5 on highway 14. Columbia House Blvd. Exit. Go under the railroad overpass and left at the light. Follow that down and make a right when you run out of industrial area.

You could also go to 42nd St. on Marine Dr. I would avoid the Willamette River ramps, thieves, wood in the river and crowds.

I might go out on Sunday, haven't made plans yet.

The bend is your friend!

[KrystalFlash]

Been a while since I posted anything on here, but......

Today Pilar and I once again braved the waters and cheated death once again. The result you ask?

2 Each. Mr. Bottomfeeder(sturgeon)
Both 46" and FAT.

A Good day was had by all. Except the guys in the sled next to us, who proceeded to get yelled at by everyone on the river.

I'd rather be lucky than good.

KF

[Pilar]

Ditto buddy!, Catch em all and let fish and game sort em out.

Fillet and Release Team: F.A.R.T.

The bend is your friend!

[WaterDog]

Pilar,

You are the king!!!! I fished today also just below the Willamette. One shaker was a I could muster. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif Talked to a few others and they were fishless, not even a bite.

I bow down to thee oh great and mighty sturgeon catcher.

I take it your boat was the blue fiberglass with the flag on the antenna?

[Pilar]

We cheated, Waterdog. Yes the blue boat with the blue flag. The 'Conch Republic' flag. The 'Magic Bait' kicks @ss. That and getting to the hole first!

If your going to sleep in, stay home and watch Bill Dance on the one eyed monster. You know, bass fishing.

People say I'm lucky, the funny thing is, the harder I try, the luckier I get!

The bend is your friend!


[This message has been edited by Pilar (edited 01-07-2001).]

[WaterDog]

Sleep in hell http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif , I was the first boat at Cathedral Park. I have always done better below the Willamette than above. So I tend to fish the spots I'm familar with. I guess I'll need to add that spot to my inventory one of these days. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[4u2fish]

All sturgeon are suicidal you just have to be at the ledge when they jump http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif Sorry to miss church but I still ended up with a bent rod (yes by a fish, you pervs!! or was that me)

The biggest steelie I have seen in a while spot says it was 10 lbs (released). Then we move to a dif hole and spot hooks into a monster I tied up 2 corky,hook,yarn and rigged my gear from bobber to drift and he was still fightin this 12 lb'er (released). Both were rosey and would have been a tossup between cookin or smokin prob smoker but we kicked em back anyway. Twards the end of the day we saw this guy with the biggest brown trout I have ever seen oh that was a steelhead oh well looked pretty brown to me..

What a great day on the coast...First fish on new rod/reel combo (ain't no stank here baby http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

------------------
AKC H2O-K9

[This message has been edited by 4u2fish (edited 01-07-2001).]

[Barnyard]

Sorry i missed church....Had some things to do...Next weekend though..How were the crowds?

[Pilar]

Hey 4u2fish, feelin' kinda stupid right now. I burned a good chance to break in my new Loomis 1024c for a gator festival.

Glad to hear Ike was willing for somebody. I can just picture where you were and I know that place well.

Hey Barny the place was crowded. We cranked up the Wagner and they backed off. It's all about the tides. As soon as low slack hits pull up and move to wherever you think you need to be to hang over the target area. So anchoring skill matters.

We quit at low slack because it turned into a practice anchoring session.

Next weekend? Hmmmmmmmm...... maybe so!

The bend is your friend!

[Deleted User]

Pilar....Sounds like a reel Cluster out there. Does it get a little angry at times?
Are you helpful to new guys that are trying to figure it out and have not done much fishing before and have trouble with the anchor or should we keep our distance? If I don't like your music will you turn it off or should I just crank mine up so I don't have to hear yours?
Not very good at fishing...can you help me?

Backwater

[4u2fish]

Oh ya Pilar will jump on your boat and help you anchor rite in the spot (NOT) HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!

Your music is up oops I couldn't here it over the fat lady :P.

Get on the blue boat with the blue flag and enjoy the opera ,breakfast, and good friendly http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif fishing with the pilar and you will know gator fishing at the "church of the bent rod"..

Lovin ya John http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

------------------
AKC H2O-K9

[Barnyard]

Backwater...If your new at anchoring it might be a good idea to go out and practice...Find some current and try to hit spots. When you hit em regularly try deeper water and repeat...No matter how good you are sometimes you just miss...Not that I would know...(jk)

[Barnyard]

forgot to add. Make sure you have plenty of rope...I've got about 300' and that's barely enough...

[zipper]

I agree with Barnyard, I've got 330 feet and need 500. There are some places that I just can't quite anchor. Also, don't skimp on the anchoring and retreival system... you might not get a 2nd chance. zip http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Pilar]

Backwater, I guess the main thing is to know when you need to bug out. If the barge wants to come through and blows horn 5 times you better move. That is the main thing I see go wrong in the winter.

Anchor puller is mandatory. Skill at anchoring is a must also. It is very hard to hit a target the size of a flatbed Semi trailer in the wind, current and tide. Getting there first helps, then everyone else needs to match what you did. Ifish sticker is real good. I don't mind helping my net buddies.

The bend is your friend!

[Barnyard]

Pilar..Do you run to the hole in the dark?

[Deleted User]

Thanks to all for the help. I think I will get a long rope and puller and go practice on Saturday.

BWB

[Pilar]

Hey Barn, why do you think they call it G.P.S. (G)et in (P)osition (S)ooner? Of course we run it in the dark, Hell we sleep in the boat sometimes.

Make sure you run at wide open throttle, so if you hit a log you'll jump right over it without bending your prop! (JK) Not crazy, just bent a little.

Oh and the standard answer for the following question is always Answer:'5 minutes ago'

Question: "When did you get here?"

Fishing is not a matter of life and death, it's much more important than that.


The bend is your friend!

[Deleted User]

Pilar...I will do my anchor drills and get real good at it as soon as the sun comes up on Saturday. After I get reel good at it I will come over and anchor next to you and learn more about how to catch Sturgeon.
How can I find you? GPS #'s or directions to hot fishing spot or what channel on the VHF?
Thanks for all the help so far. Do you use Shad, eel, Chicken parts, Smelt or what should I bring? How big of rod and real? What kind of beer do you like? Do I need bumpers to tie up next to you?
To many question I know ....But thanks for offering to help a new guy out!
Can't wait to get out there with you guys!

BWB

[shureskunk]

Alarm clock wars, barge battles, loud funeral music and beer, and all for fishing Mr. lips and chips? And you’re teaching people where and how to do this? This sounds like fun, count me in!
I'll meet you at the boat launch, you can't miss me, driving an older yellow Pinto with a sunroof (for my new cowboy hat) and chrome lumber rack (pound nails for a liv'in) and pulling a 22-ft cartopper. I had the boat custom built to the exact shape and color of a sea lion including whiskers. Some have told me its too much boat for my rig but I welded the trailer hitch ball directly to the gas tank.
And I thought people only got up that early for shad.
SSK

[Deleted User]

Pilar....Did you lose interest in helping a new guy out? Have been looking for a reply post. Sure would like to meet up with you for a day of fishing and barge dodging.
Did Shureskunk make you run away? I understand....He is a trouble maker and can't catch $hit....I think.
Sure would like to figure out how to catch one of them underwater Buzzards!

Thanks,

BWB

[Pilar]

Hey BWB, not a loss of interest, just overload on life. We may be going at it Saturday as usual. Do you have an E-mail address?

E-mail me and we'll chat about this some more. I need to get bit bad and maybe forget about the bad stuff that keeps happening.

Don't worry about Shure Skunk, I hear pintos are flammable!

The bend is your friend!

[Deleted User]

Hey John, I can vouch for these guys (BWB & SSK), kinda. You'd be safe fishing relatively near them. DON'T LET THEM IN YOUR BOAT THOUGH! .... BTW, they were eating your smoked sturgeon at Jen & Bill's Ifish party. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif - RT

[Pilar]

Bringing up an old subject, Again. The photos are in and we'll post them as we get them scanned. Thanks for the awesome Photography RW!!!!!!

The bend is your friend!

[shureskunk]

That would be smoked...TUNA to you RT. You sit corrected.
SSK