Sturgeon Questions

[Cohodependent]

Thanks for your help every one. I am going to get one of those keepers some day! I swear!!

[ibeanfishin]

Just keep trying. Hit the Gorge or as fishing for life said, down by Astoria in the spring.

Keep an eye on ifish and an eye on your rod. :grin:

[Cohodependent]

Ok, I admit it. I have not ever caught a keeper Sturgeon, and sadly caught only a few shakers. :mad: I am dead set on getting the hang of it though, and so I have a few questions. Now with the Smelt in the Sandy are any of you fishing off the mouth for the gators? Is the Cowlitz still the best shot? If so where is the closest place to launch from the Oregon side of the river? Any information is greatly appreciated!

[fishing is life]

Cohodependent, i have wondered if the fishing out of Chinook landing is any good for sturgies also with the Sandy full of smelt. i fished around the mouth of the Cowlitz last year before after getting limits of smelt and not touched a fish. you can launch from the OR side from the Ranier launch. go to GI Joe and they will have a booklet for free that shows boating facilities in OR. also the State Marine board has a website that lists ramp with details. i would guess by how i have done and others from theire reports is your best bet is still Kelly point and near Horsetail falls. remember with sturgeon fishing, if you arent getting bites dont waste your time there, go somewhere else and keep moving till you get bites. also the outgoing has been better at Kelly Point. good luck. also in the spring if you really want a keeper go to the columbia estuary. but if you are unfamiliar try to hook up with someone here or a guide your first time.

[Lured In]

Coho...I have done well off the mouth of the Sandy at various times, but it is hit or miss (like many places). It is one of several that I will hit when sturgeon fishing. (Acutally there are 3-4 spots there within a 100 yards of the power lines that have produced for me).

I am debating about hitting KP this weekend or hitting the mouth of the Sandy and also running up into the gorge around the Cape. If the weather is good, the ride is only about 15 minutes from Chinook Landing.

[Scutes]

I have consistently found good numbers of fish (including BIG keepers) in the Willamette during the winter. The higher water draws them up, and I think maybe they actually are tired of smelt and looking for clambeds, etc.. Sunday we caught many fish while the current was running - above the St John's Bridge. Many were stuffed with smelt. We have caught a 52, a 54 and a 56 incher in 3 trips over 2 weeks here. By contrast- Kelly Point was dead- very few, light bites. Smelt, sea lions and gulls were everywhere, and the few fish not netted out by the commercials are sated for the moment. Good luck!