Sturgeon Help

brshooter · 05-01-2001, 08:52 PM

Since the Columbia is closed for springers, the wife and I were thinking of going out after sturgeon. The wife has never caught one, and I have only caught a couple of shakers. That was several years ago down around Astoria. Any suggestions as to areas to go? (General areas will help, if you want to disclose the gps settings of your favorite hole, feel free to e-mail them to me [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ) Only reports I have heard lately have been either from Kelly Point or down around Longview. Sounds like people are fishing in about 60 - 70 feet of water. I have some smelt in the freezer. Is that the bait of choice this time of year. What are my other options? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Salmonator · 05-01-2001, 09:15 PM

I've heard some reports that it's finally picking up above the dam. Try near the hatchery below Hood River on the WA side... Joe

Matt H. · 05-01-2001, 09:26 PM

Couple weeks back had a great day out at Trojan. No keepers but a ton of 36-40" shakers. Sometimes quantity is better than quality =).

Ken Drifter · 05-01-2001, 10:04 PM

Id go to the Columbia, around Fishers and below. Been out the last couple weekends 2 keepers and 1 - line break,
1 - 15 min fight and lost it ( Wifes fish ) ! Smelt ! Smelt ! About 30 shakers in two weekends. Good Luck

Fishin' been bety bety good to us !

brshooter · 05-02-2001, 03:40 AM

Ken,
Where is Fishers? Not familiar with that area.

Thanks,

Capin' Dan · 05-02-2001, 04:51 AM

Bill, I think the fishery is where he is talking about. Its about 4 miles shy of Bonneville Dam on hiway 30 east out of Portland. Its generally fair but probably your best chance for numbers this time of year. I have heard decent reports around St. Helens and Trojan also these are traditionally good choices. I'll be at Bonneville on Thursday yet my prey will have a little more pop and zing to it than just general keeper size sturgeon. Unless they like 3 to 4 lb shad.

Good Luck, Be prepared to spend some $$ if you go to the fishery they have a lock on the only decent launch in the area and they are gonna make you pay for it. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

Pete · 05-02-2001, 03:18 PM

Actually, the both boat ramps at the fishery are open. The launch fee went up from $5 to $7. The fishing there has been pretty good.

From the fishery, head west and look for other boats. Just out from Horsetail falls along the seam between fast and slow water seemed to be the best spot. I'd anchor on the fast side of the seam...and watch out for barges. The wind will flip you around unless you have enough current and your seabags out.

Like with most sturgeon fishing, the key is to experiment. If you anchor up and are catching fish, be happy. If you go half an hour without anything hitting, move.

We fished today (Wednesday) and had about 30 fish for 3 rods, fishing from 9 am to 1 pm. We had two keepers; 43 and 48 inches.

Remember, this is big water. We had almost all our 300 feet of rope out, but ran into trouble when we pulled out. Our anchor stuck on the bottom. When we tried to break the breakaway, it didn't release and when we cut the power, the tension on the anchor line nearly pulled the front of the boat under. We finally got it out, but with three guys experienced in this area, we got to experience something new.

aye fsh · 05-02-2001, 04:55 PM

Yeah, scary one 'eh Pete? Had the same thing happen to me last year, made me ultra cautious about anchor setting and pulling!

I've been doing exactly as pete described and have had some really good days. The last time up there I put in at Rooster Rock to avoid the crowds and it was great. Only took 20 minutes or so and it's $3 to park.

When the wind comes up to where the sea anchors don't hold I've been running the kicker in reverse. Been wondering why I don't see more people doing this, is there something wromg or unsafe about it that I'm missing here? Works like a charm, I think I see way more bites too.

I was also wondering if anyone has tried for shad up there yet. Probably end up not being able to catch a shad 'cuz of all the chinook!

[ 05-02-2001: Message edited by: aye fsh ]

brshooter · 05-03-2001, 09:51 PM

The wife and I are going out this weekend for our first sturgeon trip. Going to try the Kelley Point area. Can someone tell me about the area. Never been there. Have boat, gear, and bait. Other than that, the only experience I have at sturgeon fishing is a charter boat trip out of Astoria several years ago. Any suggestions on selecting an area to fish. What depth? What kind of current? I know there is barge traffic. Are there areas to avoid?
Was thinking of launching at Cathedral Park. What kind of facility do they have there. My wife is disabled, so I am a one man show when it comes to launching the boat. Is it a busy ramp? Do they have adequate dock space?

05-04-2001, 07:22 PM

I'm a beginning sturgeon fisherman myself so I'm not much help, but...

I've used Cathedral Park once (for Springers) and liked it. Easy access from my house in Cedar Mill (North Beaverton)via the St. Johns Bridge. Not horribly crowded. And best of all, it's free!

As you mention, definitely be careful of the tugs and barges at Kelley Point.

I'm itchy to start trying it down near Astoria but I haven't heard any encouraging words about sturgeon there yet. Maybe a little early still?