Sturgeon terminal setup

[Pete]

I use 6/0 or 8/0 VMC barbless hooks on 100# dacron leaders when fishing smelt and targetting keeper sturgeon. I step up to 300# test squidding line and 8/0 or 10/0 galvanized Mustad hooks when fishing shad for over sized. What's your ticket?

[bait boy]

Yes, what you said except for Bigg'uns I use an 11/0 VMC and 100Lb leader. Our most common failures have bee old leaders that have not been retied and (believe it or not) swivels or hooks. I quit using safety pin snaps on all my rigs, and went to the McMahon snaps along with McMahon swivels. mainly because I can see the actual poundage rating on a pack of swivels not just the size.

Rick

[Pilar]

Hi Pete, limp 80# dacron is the best for leader. Then I would pick Gamakatsu 6/0 or 7/0 octopus for a hook. That's for keepers.

Peelers get nylon 90# cord doubled, about 4 ft leader length and an 11/0 mustad. We used to use 12/0 or even 13/0 but you can't find them in the store anymore.

The rest of the rig is pretty simple. For keepers use a slide - o on your main line, a ball weight and a 200# barrel swivel. Put a surgeons loop in your leader end and pass the end through the swivel and then the bait through the end. I usually keep several baited leaders ready and switch to a new one instead of baiting the same leader. This gets me back on the bottom quick before the fish move on. Skip the snap swivel cause a really nice fish will pop it off.

For peelers you need a little more. Two 200# barrel swivels and a doubled 90# nylon bumper line about 4 feet long. Tie a swivel on the loose ends and thread a snap swivel on the bumper for a weight slider. Loop the other swivel on the other end. Tie the swivel at the knotted end of the bumper to your main line. This keeps the 2 lb lead from beating the knot to death. Then bait your whole shad, 1/2 hitch it all the way to the tail and tie the leader to the other end of your bumper. Cutting a series of notches in the back of the bait will hold the 1/2 hitches in place. Trim the tail flukes off the bait to prevent spin.

The bumper is a good thing as the fish will often roll on the line if you give it any slack. Old diamond sides will cut mono line with ease and can even break the kevlar stuff with the sharp scutes.

[Tanner]

I use the same leader (70 lb dacron) and swivels for keepers as I do for oversized fish and I have never lost one due to leader or swivel failure. Granted, I don't catch a ton of oversized fish (5 - 15 per year). I am a firm believer in keeping things as simple as possible.

Hooks: Oversized, fishing whole shad - 10/0
Oversized fishing whole eel - 10/0
Keepers fishing smelt or shrimp - 6/0 7/0

[ 11-16-2001: Message edited by: Tanner ]</p>

[Beek]

We use 100 tuff line main and 72# braided nylon leaders. The nylon braid stretches and is extremely abrasion resistant. For hooks, 7/0-9/0 Gammies. Have landed fish up to 6' with this setup, and my friend beached an 8' this year on the 72# nylon braid, and this is in the fast waters of the Fraser River near Chilliwack. We also fish fairly large weights 14-20 oz's of lead is common.

What types of rods are you guys fishing with the 200# leaders? It would seem impossible to break a fish off with a leader that heavy.

[Tacklebuster]

I have two basic set ups when I go sturgeon fishing.
1. When I fish from Astoria up to the Gorge, I like 30lb. Tuff Line, 80lb. dacron leader (as short as I can get away with), a basic slider, and no bigger than a 4/0 super sticky hook. I prefer the smaller hook for keepers and shakers and have NEVER had a problem with them coming unbuttoned. I like to fish this set up with a salmon/steelhead rod with my drag on the "light" side.

2. When I am on a gator mission I fish 80lb. Tuff line, 100lb. leader (4 to 5 feet when fishing a whole shad), a good barrel swivel for the weight, and no less than a 9/0 Mustad on an Ugly stick with my drag set pretty tight.

I have caught a few oversize in the gorge and Astoria using my 1. set up and have had no problem, other than taking alot of time, to get the fish boat side. The only problem with a 4/0 hook is an oversize will straighten that puppy out if your drag is to tight. I like going lighter when I can because I generally hook 25 percent more fish and have a ball doing it :grin: