sturgeon spot

high_arc · 01-01-2003, 11:52 PM

i have been sturgeon fishing 2 times this month with a total of 13 shakers. None even close enough to measure. I just got a new pole and reel for my birthday. Now I can stop bumming equipment. Me and my buddy want to go out this weekend to try again. Any suggestions on where to try? We both have on WA liscenses. Can email me too, would really love to catch a keeper.

high_arc · 01-01-2003, 11:53 PM

I guess I should also have said that we are in the Vancouver/Camas area. Thanks for any help. t.morris1@attbi.com

KingFisher85 · 01-01-2003, 11:53 PM

were have you been fishing? and from boat or bank?

[ 01-02-2003, 12:54 AM: Message edited by: KingFisher85 ]

high_arc · 01-01-2003, 11:56 PM

from a boat. Last weekend we fished just down stream from the RR bridge by I-5.

KingFisher85 · 01-02-2003, 12:04 AM

Head up to the dam and fish up there. Thats only if you like fishing with 18 oz of lead.

1pump · 01-02-2003, 12:28 AM

From what I've seen on this board, everyone and their mother has been fishing at T6. That's not too far from the RR bridge you mentioned. And then there's Kelly Point (close to T6) and Warrior Rock. And the Sundial area is close to Camas.
Or you can be like me (a non-conformist) and go in search of the next sturgeon hot spot. Or skunk spot.

The gorge (like KF85 said) kicks out a lot of big fish, but I hate wind. Snow, sleet, rain, heat, no problem. But I'd rather get my prostate gland checked than fish in a wind tunnel.
Just my .02; wish it was tax-deductible.

fishing is life · 01-02-2003, 02:26 AM

thats sturgeon fishing. one day you will go out and get a keeper and then you will go a few trips with just shakers. i think there are good number of keepers all over the columbia just depends on the day and tides. i have not fished enough sturgeon to find a pattern with the tides. but most have been doing good on an outgoing upriver, i think they can smell better. go to the columbia estruary in the spring, there are many keepers there. there seems like the tides changes turn the bite on. just make sure you have lots of good bait: smelt, sand shrimp, nightcrawlers, squid, eel, roll mop herring, salmon belly, anchovy(estruary). try them until one gets better bites, combos are my fav. also dont forget the scent injection. oh yeah and move if you arent getting bites. good luck.

high_arc · 01-02-2003, 10:49 AM

Thanks for the information. I am new to sturgeon fishing and learning all the time.

fishingfirst · 01-02-2003, 12:17 PM

Speaking of upstream in the current, I have a pretty good size anchor, 4-6' of chain, 300' of rope, all the right things, but I can not seem to hold anchor in the current at the fishery, do I need a heavier anchor? I have seen other boats anchored in these areas, but it usually takes me 3-4 tries for the anchor to finally grab something. Then the first big wake pulls my anchor off the bottom. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My anchor is 36lbs and is the rocker style with four tines.

Scott

Pitch Pocket · 01-02-2003, 12:20 PM

Not sure what size boat you have, but 4-6' of chain probably isn't enough. At least 1/2 the length of your boat or more. I have a 24' er with 30' of chain. The rocker won't work unless it is laying on it's side.

fishingfirst · 01-02-2003, 12:32 PM

17' boat, and I thought I had more chain than most! It is a pretty heavy chain, it probably weighs as much as the anchor.

Scott

norms gone fishing too · 01-02-2003, 01:26 PM

make shur you have at least 200" of that rope out than rock that anchor over slow the boat down and make shur she sticks than finsh backing down this has work for me in every thing from a 15 ft to a 21 ft pig of a duckworth
just remember to stay out of the main current
better safe than swiming

[ 01-02-2003, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: norms gone fishing too ]

fishingfirst · 01-02-2003, 02:22 PM

Norm and Pitch Pocket,

Thanks for the help, sounds like I am in the ballpark, just need to find the right pebble to snag my anchor on.

Scott

parthur · 01-02-2003, 02:50 PM

Sturgeon are like elk....they're where you find them. Sometimes there are holes that always produce fish and you can't get a take. Other times 3,4,5 boats are anchored up next to each other and only two boats(side by side) are getting bit. Sometimes the "hole or slot" is only 2 boats wide and if you're not in it it will be a long day. Watch to see what the other boats are doing. If you see a particular boat or 2 with fish on all day they are either real lucky or are on top of a hole that consistently producesfish . With the smelt run starting the sturgeon should be moving around and towards the Cowlitz. Kelly point and T6 are good spots, just keep your eyes open as to who's hooking fish. If they're not biting move 'till you find 'em

Blue Water 23 · 01-02-2003, 03:26 PM

Something isn't right if you have a 35 lb. anchor and can't hold up to a 20 ft. boat.
Is it homemade? If it is the correct design it should hold. There is one problem that you might have. You have to have slack from where you chain is welded on at the bottom of the anchor to the top. If it is tight then the anchor will pull up from the bottom and not grab. Make sure you have slack in your chain from the bottom to the top. That could be the only problem if you have the right design. 4 feet of chain off the top is enough, if it is normal size anchor chain.

fishingfirst · 01-02-2003, 03:29 PM

Blue Water,
That may be the problem, my anchor chain is connected with a clevice to the top of the anchor, must just be pulling up rather than digging in.

Scott

Blue Water 23 · 01-02-2003, 03:35 PM

Is it not attached to the bottom as well? Those anchors are designed to have chain running up them, but not tight to where it pulls on the bottom. All of the weight should be pulled at the top. You need to attach your chain to the bottom on the upright shaft, and attach it to the top with tie strings so they can break away if your anchor gets snagged. Then it pulls from the bottom and unsnaggs. Leave about 4 inches of slack from the bottom of the shaft to the top, so all of the force is pulling from the top.

fishingfirst · 01-02-2003, 03:41 PM

It is a break-away anchor, but it folds from the bottom, I have had a problem with it folding too easy, so I put electrical ties at the bottom, so if it does get snagged I could break it loose with a little work. But I will try welding the chain to the bottom like you suggested. Worst case it will have more weight on that side of the anchor, nothing to lose!

Thanks for the help. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
Scott

WaterDog · 01-02-2003, 03:44 PM

Scott,

If you have a rocking chair (river anchor) type, your chain should be attached at the bottom of the anchor. The chain should then be zip tied to the eye at the end of the shaft (top of the anchor). If the anchor gets stuck the tie will break and your anchor will come free. Go over and look at tacklebuster�s set up. I use a 25# and have never ever had a problem anchoring in the Columbia.

fishingfirst · 01-02-2003, 03:48 PM

Thanks guys, that would be the problem, I only seem to have problems in heavy current! Which is about 90% of the hot spots!

Looks like my project for the night is re-attaching my anchor chain.

Thanks again
Scott

fish_on · 01-02-2003, 07:07 PM

heavy current = 500' of rope.

Tacklebuster · 01-02-2003, 07:58 PM

Scott,
I had the exact same problem this spring/summer up around the fishery. After you get your anchor squared away, have yourself a little extra rope for the gorge. I couldn't get a good stick that would hold up to bigger boat wakes until I was pitching 400 feet of rope. The extra 100 feet of rope works like a charm. Ever notice how the guide boats anchor in the main current and hold? They will usually use 500 feet of rope. I have a seperate rope that I will put on my anchor when fishing the gorge. That is the only way you will hold in the fast stuff.

norms gone fishing too · 01-02-2003, 11:21 PM

If you go up stream make shure you have the ankor thing down good. it can be dangerois if you don't hane the right equiment. if you don't see if you can go with someone and learn how to. and its more like 24oz of lead for the good holes
good luck sorry about the spelling have to seank on when boss is not at my desk

Kruechief · 01-03-2003, 08:34 AM

What size chain do you use and how do you keep it from marring the side of the boat when retrieved?

Lo

fishing is life · 01-03-2003, 08:54 AM

kruecheif Lo, i just use galvanzed chain. i am not sure what size. you have to pull the chain strait out of the water to not ding your boat. some guys have talked about using coat it or some kind of coating on the chain.

fishingfirst · 01-03-2003, 08:54 AM

You can buy a plastic coated chain, most marinas will have it, or just do like me, lean over the side of the boat when pulling the chain up!

Still need to get the plastic coated one, my buddy has one and it works great!

Scott

WaterDog · 01-03-2003, 08:59 AM

I use 4 feet of 5/8� chain on one anchor set up and 8 feet of 3/8� on another. Depends where I am. As far as keeping the scratches off the boat here is what I use: