Sturgeon Tailers

[Killertraylor]

I've always used a tailer to land keeper sturgeon. I've got the kind they sell at Fishermans. When it's ready to tail, it's about 4 feet long. From bottom to top, it has a black foam handle, a red trigger, about a foot of aluminum rod and then a steel cable coming out of the aluminum rod that is about 2 feet long. (I always put some duct tape over that connection so the cable doesn't spin in the current when you dip it in the water) There is a brass connecter about one inch long where the steel cable attaches to the smaller coated steel cable that actually loops around the tail of the fish. For those of you who have never seen one of these, this is probably pretty confusing, but for the rest of you - here's my question. I've gone through about 3 of these things in the last 5 years. At $50 a pop, I'd like to find a way to fix them. The problem is that the plastic coated part of the cable that goes around the tail gets worn and when the plastic wears off the cable rusts and eventually breaks - usually when you are trying to yank a big fish in the boat. Has anyone successfully replaced this smaller coated cable section. It looks like you could if you could get the brass crimp off of the bigger steel cable? Anyone know someone who could fix these? Has anyone tried it themself who could walk me through it? I really like this method of landing sturgeon. This is the only tailer I've ever used that stays stiff in the current so you can get it around the fish's tail easy. Seems to work a lot easier than a net also.

[Killertraylor]

Back to the top. C'mon - I know I'm not the only guy who's catching enough sturgeon to wear out my tailer! Is anyone using a different type of tailer that they think works well and lasts longer?

Thanks!!!

[ol tuna skipper]

KT,

I am not familiar with this tool since I rarely fish oversize. However, You can get cable crimping tools and crimps at a hardware store that sells cabeling. Might want to go to a clamp so you can easily replace the plastic part that keeps wearing out. Also might look for stainless cable while your at it so it won't have the rust problem. Sounds like a useful tool.

I am a machinist and can possibly repair one of those in exchange for a sturgeon fishing trip to see how they are used.

Let me know?

[jawbreaker]

Honestly KT, i've never needed to use one. The only place I've ever seen anybody need to use one is at the cliffs at O.C. where your rod isn't strong enough to pull the fish up the cliff without a tailer. I don't know what they do there if they get an oversized on. images/icons/shocked.gif What is the advantage?

[Beamer]

KT,
I too am in the machining business
and we use the company listed below for all sorts of rigging and cables.

I am sure that they can set you up if you have a sample. I suggest 300 series stainless.

If they can't send me an e-mail and I
will see what I can do.

Pope Rigging Loft / 235 NW 21st Pl.
503-228-1426

Good luck.....Beamer

[SureSet]

KT,

I have never used a net or a tailer. I've always used a good glove like a kevlar fillet glove or a good neoprene to tail the fish. I've been cut a few times but it's usually on the other hand I get in the way. The only instance I could have used a tailer was one where the fish was wrapped up and came to the boat too fast. He was thrashing so bad I couldn't hold on and the line was snapped. I actually bet I would have lost the tailer with the fish in that case.....

SureSet

[Killertraylor]

I fish sturgeon with relatively light tackle - backbouncer rods and Calcutta 400 reels. I'd never lift a fish into the boat using the rod. I have grabbed 42 inchers by the leader and lifted them in, but even then, sometimes the hook rips out. Anything bigger than 42, I tail it. It works great, it just cinches down around the tail and I've never lost one using this method. Ol Tuna Skipper - we might be able to work something out. I'll probably end up getting a new tailer and you could come down and go fishing with me and take the old one home to try and fix it. I'm going to take a look at it myself first and see if I can't get that brass crimp off. If I can do that, I think I can replace the worn cable myself. I'll shoot you an e-mail next week and let you know if I was successful. I'm honestly suprised there haven't been more replies to this post - I guess I figured everyone tailed their sturgeon this way. Do the rest of you just net them?

[Killertraylor]

Thanks, Beamer. I wen't to a rigging place in NE Portland - can't remember the name of it - it's on Columbia right next to Les Schwab. They had some stainless cable and crimped and rigged it up right. Should last forever if I take care of it. Sureset- I've tailed them up to 6 feet (back when we could keep 6 footers) and yanked them in the boat. I've had a few almost yank me in with them and several over 50 lbs. where it took 2 people to drag them in the boat. For those of you who don't use one of these you should look into them - they're great. Oh yeah - I wen't to FMS on Friday and they are no longer selling them at Delta Park - they sell some rinky dink thing now made out of pvc pipe. Looks like it would be impossible to get the cable around the sturgeon's tail if there was any current. The one I have stays stiff and tight in the water so it's easy to get around the tail.