Best time for oversized sturgeon?

rollcast · 12-09-2003, 12:54 PM

Hey all,

My brother is coming to visit next year (sometime between May and October). I think it would be a lot of fun to take him sturgeon fishing. I have never been and will want to hire a guide. I think fishing for oversized would be the most exciting, I do not feel the need to keep any fish. Thus, I was soliciting advice on the best time for him to come visit to fish for oversized fish and recommendations on guides who might specialize in oversized sturgeon.

Thanks,

jts

Hoosier Daddy · 12-09-2003, 01:02 PM

You probably want to wait until the state's decide when, where, and if, oversize fishing will be allowed in 2004

rollcast · 12-09-2003, 06:22 PM

Thanks Hoosier Daddy. I did not realize that there were considerations underway for potentially limiting or eliminating fishing for oversized fish. If that is the case then we will just try a trip for keeper sized fish. I really want to do something special for my brother. He lives in Florida and the last time I went there to visit we caught a ton of snook in the 15-20lb range and several permit including one a 35lb permit I landed on 8lb test (took about 45 minutes and we chased the fish for over a mile). I figured a landing a huge sturgeon would repay that trip :smile:

Once again thank you for the information.

12-09-2003, 08:46 PM

End of May through early July is the peak. Best month is probably June.

Tacklebuster · 12-09-2003, 10:55 PM

Tell your bro to come up the last part of May. I don't care if they shut the river down for "oversize" fishing, you fish downriver of horestail falls with a smelt the tail end of May, you will hook a peeler. You don't have to fish with a three pound shad to target those big guys. I would plan a trip then, you will get into a few oversize fish. In between the back breakers, the shaker action should be nothing short of non stop.

farm5 · 12-10-2003, 12:35 PM

Please try to understand the impact which occurs when one decides to target oversized sturgeon. They are the broodstock of the fishery. Before there are laws inacted that require them to be left alone we should do so on our own as much as possible. I understand the adrenalin rush of pursuing and landing such large fish but it really doesn't benefit the fishery in any way. Do you know of any animal breeder who abuses their breed stock? This is just another view point, not a put down to those who feel otherwise. Time will reveal the correct view point.

[ 12-11-2003, 04:43 PM: Message edited by: farm5 ]

Cast'n'Blast · 12-10-2003, 12:53 PM

the day you can catch fresh shad you can guarantee o. size whether you catch the bait from the will. or the columbia. also-my first oversize was on a smelt in may below or right at horsetail falls. hmmmmmm

greenbuttskunk · 12-10-2003, 01:49 PM

I agree with farm5. They are a blast to pursue and I will be the first to admit I've landed my share in the past, although I don't any specifically target oversize any longer. Just fish responsibly for them. Use proper heavy gear, and get them in quickly for a release. Do what you can to minimize the stress. They are the future of the fishery and those big girls are old and fragile breeders. I'm not condemning those who fish for them either, just my personal choice.
As for a time to go, late May early june.
Good luck and be safe.
GBS

parker · 12-10-2003, 02:59 PM

The reports I have been seeing seem to indicate that the practice of catch & releasing oversized sturgeon is starting to do some harm to the overall health of the sturgeon population, specifically, in the small to keeper range.

The harm comes from the fish absorbing its eggs after being hooked, and fought. The fish uses up so much energy, that the eggs are the first thing in the body to get absorbed back in to the body.

The actual harm to the big fish is minimal, and that's not the real issue or concern.

The absorbtion of eggs doesn't happen all the time, but it happens enough to oversized sturgeon, that it's starting to be a real concern to both WDFW and ODFW.

I foolishly caught 1 oversized last year, not knowing the harm I was doing to the overall future sturgeon population. Think of how many little sturgeons I just killed if that oversized absorbed her eggs? So much for your keepers, huh?

I don't think I'll go oversized fishing again.

Just say no to oversized sturgeon fishing.

I hope both the ODFW and the WDFW put a complete ban on it before it's too late.

[ 12-10-2003, 04:01 PM: Message edited by: parker ]

Tacklebuster · 12-10-2003, 11:32 PM

You know for a fact you killed all them baby sturgeon

The only way not to hook an oversize fish in May, June, and July up in the gorge is simply not to fish at all. If you have a bait sitting on the bottom, chances are very high you will hook one. I would much rather bring them to the boat and get all the gear out of their mouth before returning them to the deep. Last year I lost count in how many extra hooks and leaders I took out of the mouths of these fish.

With as many small fish in the system, I have a hard time buying all the eggs are getting absorbed causing a huge effect on the population. I'm not saying it doesn't happen and people don't abuse this fishery. The only way to completely stop the fishing for oversize fish is to shut that section of the river down for three months. Talk about a huge impact for the guides and recreational fisherman. This topic pops up at least twice a year so if possible, let's just stick to the original application and give the guy answers to the question that is asked.

fish_on · 12-11-2003, 06:15 AM

The fact that small groups of people from a former soviet country are targeting oversize and killing them for the eggs is having the impact not C&R fishing.

12-11-2003, 08:34 AM

fish_on

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Tacklebuster · 12-11-2003, 09:30 AM

Fish_On [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Dipnet · 12-11-2003, 09:38 AM

Fish_on, right on [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Dipnet :grin:

fishingfirst · 12-11-2003, 09:52 AM

If the state is going to close all sturgeon fishing to help these fish, they are going to have to close salmon as well. How many sturgeon have been caught while back bouncing a qwik fish??

The law says we can fish for them. I will continue to treat them with the respect they deserve and handle them carefully, but I will continue to fish for them as long as I am allowed to.
In the meantime the best thing we can do is educate those that are fishing for them the importance of proper handling. If you care about the fish, then talk to people you see doing it wrong, you may get some less than happy responses, but at least they will think about the next one they catch. And you may just find your next best friend!

Happy fishing!
Scott

Tacklebuster · 12-11-2003, 12:09 PM

Scott [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

cosmo · 12-11-2003, 12:49 PM

You guys don't know how happy I am to have seen the above posts--thought for a while there everyone was moving to sturgeon hugging over fishing--whew!! Agree with respect, but there gaping holes in the arguments for closures.

Nuttinbutnet · 12-11-2003, 03:20 PM

Most important that you use the right gear as has been mentioned. Penn 320GTI with 80# Tuffline minimum. Good solid meat stick in the hvy. Tiger rod or better. But what is most important is being able to land one of these giant fish in the least amount of time possible. Over the years I have seen too many boats tied up to a fish for extended periods of time. How long is too long? The best day for us was 14 oversize, three guys. Not one battle that day lasted longer than 15-20 minutes. This type of fishing demands that you be in shape and not underestimate the power of these fish. This can be, and should be the most physically tasking type of fishing that you do. If it is not then you are either Superman or you have them on too long!

fishingfirst · 12-11-2003, 03:24 PM

You guys must be supermen! Our best day was six, and after the fourth I didn't want to fish anymore(of course I did though)! And that is saying alot, since I am usually the last one on the water.

Scott

BottomFeeder · 12-11-2003, 05:01 PM

Good question. That's like saying "I was wondering when would be the best time to fish for Salmon that are sitting on their reds." Same deal. Don't mess with fish that are trying to reproduce. Some of the elders on this board have an "ask questions after" attitude and insist that it is okay, but it isnt. Do the future of sturgeon fishing a favor, don't target broodstock fish. FYI, according to the survey/poll that was taken here recently only a very small percentage fish for oversized, banning it would only effect a proportionally smaller number of people. I'm not willing to bet my future sturgeon fishing on the hearsay of a couple of people sitting on the fence telling the whole world "how it is." You shouldn't either.

-Bottomfeeder

farm5 · 12-11-2003, 05:31 PM

Bottomfeeder, well said. I was considering making the very same point on my drive home from work. I realize not targeting oversize would impact some guides business but there are always other species to target. The only reason they have clients to target oversize is because the clients do not understand the impact of their actions.

When the state deams it necessary to go to a C&R fishery for sturgeon it doesn't make sense to participate. Even catching and releasing undersize fish has an impact on their ability to maintain their normal growth rate and reach keeper size in a normal period of time.

Many of the individuals who sluff this take on the state of the sturgeon fishery, think that detailed scientific proof is required. All of these observations are long lived common sense.

I am surprised that anyone who has lived on a farm, raised animals or plants for a living, would dispute the effects that anything other than the best care produces.

Test for yourself. Plant two plants next spring. Abuse one of them weekly and provide care for the other and see which one produces and flourishes. Go buy one of those $1500 bird dog pups, raise her to breeding age. Go out and beat her about the mouth and head to the point she can't eat for a week. Let her eat for a couple of days after she heals up, then go beat her up again. Breed her and continue with the abuse, how productive and viable do you think the off spring will be.

It really is common sense even though some do not have the abilty or will to see it.

[ 12-11-2003, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: farm5 ]

Tacklebuster · 12-11-2003, 11:15 PM

I have a good bit of common sense and lived the first eighteen years of my life on a farm. You know how many people make their living sturgeon fishing that in that area? How many native springers or native cohos get hooked a year? Should we stop fishing for them all together? How many times in the life of a ten foot sturgeon do you think he/she has been caught landed and released? Nobody is beating dogs or abusing plants. I admire you passion but I think you are pouring it on just a little thick.

I'm sure the clients are not all idiots that don't understand the impact either.

[ 12-12-2003, 12:17 AM: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

12-12-2003, 12:35 AM

Hopefully future good protection management and common sense compromises, combined with appropriate sport fishing and gear regulations.

Maybe even a no more than "so many" oversize hooked in a day, per boat, not per fisherperson, approach to compromise?

Man I ain't goin' here again, but you also must look at how many keepers are killed too, that won't get into the too big to keep slot, to become and help to replenish the breeder stock.

End of opinion, didn't even want to start.

Tugjunkie · 12-12-2003, 01:45 AM

Tacklebuster,
I have not had the opportunity to target CR oversized sturgeon, but I have landed quite a few in the 5-6ft range (SF bay) & was looking forward to experiencing a BIG one, and planned on doing just that this spring. In doing my homework I have read alot of your informative and helpful posts, and get the feeling you have a great deal of respect for, and experience in releasing these fantastic creatures..... Now this issue of a "chance" of damage has got me wondering if it's really worth taking that chance... I'm looking to you for some advice.... as I understand it, I should use heavy equipment to facilitate a quick release, how about water temps? perhaps earlier in the year would be less stress....what else?
Thanks

Keepem tight
Rick

Tacklebuster · 12-12-2003, 09:33 AM

Nookman- I agree with you one hundred percent. I am guilty of taking my keepers every year but none of them go to waste. With my high cholesterol, I have to eat fish three to four times a week. I have no problems with a five fish limit for next year and I am very selective on the ones I keep.

Tug man- The big guys are thick in the system come the end of May through July. I am sure water temp would play as a "factor" but the most important issue is getting them to the boat and released as quickly as possible. These fish have been brought boat side many of times in their life and are usually really calm and gentle. They know the deal and have played the game. Use heavy gear and a good reel. I like the Ugly Sticks with the Penn 320 series reels. Spool them with 80 pound braid and crank that drag down tight.

I like to fish shallow water below the Horsetail area so you don't have to use a lot of weight. I use 8/0 to 10/0 hook but make sure it's NOT stainless steel. I can't tell you how many times I have hooked a peeler and did it a favor by removing a 9/0 stainless steel hook with a five foot leader and a 48 ounce ball that it was dragging around. The shallower you fish, the faster you can normally bring one to the boat. You get to see them jump more too. I like fishing in about 25 to 30 feet of water.

When you bring them to the boat, they will turn over exposing their belly. When you remove the hook, be sure and turn them back over. If you don't, they will float away on their backs and die. People have their own opinions and I do respect them but my honest opinion is you can responsibly fish for them. I used to fish for tarpon a lot down south and it was almost the same deal. It was crucial to get those big boys to the boat and released in a timely manor. They were way more fragil than our sturgeon.

My last bit of advise to you is go out with someone that has some experience fishing for them because although it may sound simple, it can be tougher than it may seem. The gorge has some unforgiving currents and can be potentially dangerous to an inexperienced boater. When using braided line (or any line for that matter), you must be extremely careful when the fish is boat side not to get your fingers or any part of your body tangled in that line. Once you get a routine down and everyone knows his/her job, it's a great experience. I would caution posting a report on this board though, too much hate mail and potential flamming posts are involved. Feel free to shoot me an e-mail for specifics or fishing reports. I usually have an open seat here and there and would be more than happy to take you out this summer and show you the ropes.

fishingfirst · 12-12-2003, 09:47 AM

Tugjunkie,
Ask around your neck of the woods, you have a pretty good sleeper sturgeon fishery in your backyard! If you can't find anyone to help you out, send me an e-mail and I'll see if I can point you in a good direction.

Good luck,
Scott

Tugjunkie · 12-12-2003, 12:17 PM

Tacklebuster,
Thanks for the pointers, and the great offer for some first hand experience, I hope to take you up on that, nothing beats hands on.

Fishingfirst,
Appreciate the heads up on the local opportunity, I'm a lucky fellow to be living around these parts.

Good luck if ur in the upcomming challenge....

Rollcast,
What ever you decide, I hope you get your brother into some fish... 35lb permit on 8,,

Keepem tight,
Rick