Sturgeon 2-9-02

fish_on · 02-09-2002, 08:00 PM

Great day today. Fished KP used smelt sandshrimp combo. The wife and I had 5 keepers to the boat and about 8 more shakers in the 30-40" range, all fish were relased to be caught another day. Lots of lumber in the river if you go be carefull of your outdrive. We had lots of bites, rods in the water only 2-3 min before getting some action. The trouble was getting them to take it enough to set the hook. I used my salmon rod for a while and a light sturdy stick any suggestions on how to handle light biters?

[ 02-09-2002, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: fish_on ]

Snapshot · 02-09-2002, 08:10 PM

Fish-on, youmight consider washing your hands before baiting the hooks or maybe spray the baited hook before you toss them in the water. Try different scents and see if that helps. Does on trout.

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

SureSet · 02-09-2002, 09:12 PM

FO,

The salmon rod is the way to go for light biters. We brought in three today, 59, 45, and 43, and let another couple go in the 40's. When they bite light, the mono and salmon rod usually make the difference. The problem with light gear is that you pick up to much action sometimes. let them bend that gear good before the set.

SureSet

Johnny Mac · 02-09-2002, 09:49 PM

Yeah, I was up around that area too. Pretty hot. I'll tell ya, what has been said about the salmon rod for light biters ran true for me today. My two buddies had some heavy stuff and I had 8 shakers and 1 keeper to their combined one. :grin: . Straight smelt, no scent. Started out with a lil' sturgeon cocktail injection....nothin. Switched to straight..BANG. Great day. :smile:

Thick-N-Thin · 02-09-2002, 09:55 PM

For those lite biters I'll cut the smelt to small pieces just enough to cover the hook. If that doesn't work and you're using tuf line, I'll just hold the rod and not put it in the rod holder. They seem to be pretty reserved about taking the bait when they feel you pull the rod from the holder.

Steelheader · 02-10-2002, 08:44 AM

The willamette has been hot lately, fished for two hours on friday had twelve to the boat three keepers one real nice 55"er. But to answer your question I was using Smelly jelly's sturgeon feast with smelt and they have been inhaling it. The 55"er hit so hard if I didn't have my rod secured in a rod holder it would have been gone. Hope this helps you out. Peace..

firezak · 02-11-2002, 03:03 PM

Stealheader, where are the good places to sturgeon fish on the willamette? I am a new boat owner, and would like to find some spots near meldrom to pick a couple up. Thanks!