sturgeon fishing and high water

[Tanner]

Use a bait injector. The fewer times you thaw and refreeze your smelt, the better they will worki

[Pete]

Hmmm... I've always had better luck when my smelt were fully thawed, but before the sun turns them to mush.

As for water, I've found that high water tends to give better current, concentrating the fish in the holes. Remember, it's not how high the water is, it's how deep! (well, not really, but it sounds good.)

:grin:

[David Johnson]

I think you're better off not refreezing your bait, use that injector instead of soaking.

[Pilar]

Yeah, use scent if you want but I will outfish you 10 to 1 with vacuum packed Cowlitz smelt with no scent. The only thing I put on the bait is worms or sometimes sandshrimp. But the bait is always the same, Smelt. Sturgeon rely heavily on taste/smell and they can be very picky when the river is full of feed. Smelt is a huge food source for them and they will seek it out even when there are none in the river.

When you dip some smelt in a month or so, let them marinate in the bucket and let the eggs get all over the bait before you bag and freeze. When they start to run in late January use only the fresh from the same river.

There is no substitute for fresh Cowlitz river smelt. Or a second choice, vacuum packed fresh frozen. BTW toss your old bait at the end of the day and start with a new bag next time.

If you doubt me seek out the blue flag of kick@$$ on the Columbia and get a fishing lesson.

[Barnyard]

Having fished next to Pilar a couple times I can attest to his prowess on Gators...I do think however when the Sturg get scarce or tight lipped a little Maries Love juice helps..........Barn

[Tagster]

I am looking to go sturgeon fishing Saturday. Launching at troutdale and heading upriver.

Has anybody been out in the past couple of days?

How do the high water flows affect the bite?

I guess what I am asking is, is it worthwhile to go now? (Of course, it is always worthwhile, but, what are the odds of hooking up?)

Thanks,

Tag

[ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: Tagster ]</p>

[Pilar]

IMHO the wilder the better, chocolate colored water is good. They can't see anyway because at 100' the water is black. The fish should be anywhere from B-Ville to down past the Kelly point area.

Use a worm tied onto your bait with stretchy thread. Watch out for junk coming down the river!

[Tagster]

Thanks, Pilar...I was wondering if you were back in town...

I thought of pre-rigging my smelt tonight and freezing it until Saturday...I also thought of freezing them in a water/sturgeon scent bath.
Is this a bad idea? I thought this way the stink would permeate the fish better.

[ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: Tagster ]</p>

[Tagster]

Pilar,

I actually found some Cowlitz River smelt at GI Joes...they are charging $6.99 for a pack..it is nice looking bait...

BTW-what time should I meet you for my lesson?

Thanks, Tag

[invader]

pillar -- what an excellent post!!... i do exacly the same freeze in the rivers water vacuum pack too!! and these are smelt from the cowlitz three years ago! i will out fish anyone with any other kind of bait!!. the last time i used this bait -- two weeks ago i had about twentyfive shakers in a few hours and one 43" but the boat a few hundred feet from me got squat!! i think i made him sick!!.........john