Sturgeon willamette, columbia?

Chris White · 01-11-2004, 09:56 AM

I love this board, everyone is always so INTO what they are doing here.
I'd like to do some sturgeon fishing on the willamette or columbia in the coming weeks. Never done it before (well, once down by tongue point, but didn't involve catching). If anyone can tell me where to go, what to use, bank or boat, best time o/day etc. I would sure appreciate any info. Not looking to expose the "secret spot" but, maybe the general area and standard bait or gear.
Thanks guys

5-Cents · 01-11-2004, 10:01 AM

Head out toward Kelly Point in your boat. When you see a blue Asaltor or a green colored Renegade anchor up in the same general location. Do not, repeat do not anchor too close... especially to the Renegade that guy with the bandana my knock you for a loop if you dont know him

:tongue: :grin: Throw some carrots at the guy in the blue Asaltor :grin:

Seriously thought, fish 45'-55' of water on the Oregon side of Frenchman's or above Kelly Point near the car dock and you will get some fish. Use smelt, squid or sandshrimp.

Good luck

Dipnet · 01-11-2004, 10:17 AM

All kidding aside, we have found the "guy" Tacklebuster in the Renegade to be very helpful. More than willing to help you out.

As for the guy in the Asaltor "stay offa his river"!!! He's a good guy :grin: too and will help you out!! Just throw him meat, no carrots

!

Dipnet :grin:

Dipnet · 01-11-2004, 03:03 PM

Chris, if you're fishing out of a boat 8 1/2' rod would work fine. As far as line, we use 80lb. Tuffline and 5/0 hooks. It's really all personal preference. As far as weights, it depends on how fast the water is moving. Sometimes 6oz. will hold and other times it takes 16oz. It all depends on the current and tides. As far as bait, you can get smelt, squid and others at G.I. Joes, Fishermans Marine or Sportsmans Wharehouse. Also if you're launching out of Fred's they have bait as does the Cracker Barrel just over the bridge on Sauvie Island. fred's doesn't open until aroun 9:00am and the Cracker Barrel opens at 7:00am.

My personal preference is pickled squid for bait

.

Hope this helps! If you have any questions email me.

Dipnet :grin:

[ 01-11-2004, 04:08 PM: Message edited by: Dipnet ]

fishingfirst · 01-11-2004, 05:49 PM

Chris,
The very best thing to do is go with someone who knows what to do! I'm no expert like Tacklebuster, but I know my way around a sturgeon or two. I'll be headed out again two weekends from now and I'll have an open seat. You are welcome to it. If interested send me an e-mail. The e-mail address in my profile is my work address, so if you respond tonight then I will answer tomorrow from work!

What ever you decide enjoy the sturgeon fishing, I've been fishing for them for a little over two years now and it is really hard for me to give them up and fish for other species. It's hard to beat catching 40-50 fish in a day, especially big brute gators!

Good luck,
Scott

Beefcake · 01-11-2004, 09:46 PM

Chris- I would go with a shorter (6' - 7') rod if you are fishing from a boat. Ugly Stick Tiger 20-50# is a good one. My favorite rod is a Penn that came with one of my 321s as a combo; similar strength to the Ugly Stick, but with a much more sensitive tip. You could even get away with a "SturdyStick" if you're on a tight budget, but they are too stiff in the tip to see subtle bites.

We use 65-80# tuff, 5/0 - 7/0 hooks with 80#+ leaders (36"+). Put a weight slider on your mainline, slip a bead or two below the slider, and tie onto a huge swivel with a good knot (I use a Palomar, but there are several that work with braided lines). Rig the bait (generally smelt) with the hook protruding from it's head and half-hitches down the body (make sure that there is one good half hitch at the base of the tail, then cut the tail off).

As for "where", a good place to start is the Willamette or the Multnomah Channel because the current isn't as strong as the Columbia. With less current, you can get away with less weight (usually 8-10 oz. pyramid on the outgoing tide), and it is easier to anchor. One place to try would be launching from Scappoose Bay, then turn left (downstream) once you reach the MC, and anchor in 50'+ water next to log rafts on your right (approx 1/4 mile down, across from the paper mill). This area consistently has tons of shakers to practice your hookset (the hardest part of sturgeon fishing!), and I don't feel like I'm giving away any secrets since there are usually several boats there (often mine included), and since it isn't generally a hot spot for big fish. Once you have mastered the nuances of anchoring and hooking fish in an area like this, you are ready to follow the big boys to the bigger fish and glory photos!

If you see a white / blue bayliner in this area give me a wave. I'm the "husky" guy in the baseball hat with a goatee... Oops, judging from the photos on this board, we all look like that! :grin:

Good luck, Scott

Chris White · 01-11-2004, 11:08 PM

Dipnet, would that be raw meat? Seriously thanks guys, I'll look for the boats. What's the best setup? I've heard people use forty to sixty pound test line and nylon isn't good because of the stretch. I have a good pole, but it's only 8 1/2' should I get a longer one? What size hooks and how much weight? Also, is there somplace to buy bait near Kelly point?

[ 01-11-2004, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: Chris White ]

Pickles · 01-11-2004, 11:15 PM

As far as gear is concerned, check out this website, it will give you the basics.

Sturgeon Salmon and Steelhead

Tacklebuster · 01-12-2004, 08:34 AM

You guys are too nice :blush:

Chris,
If you have an open mind and will be willing to leave those swordfish sticks and winches I see people using all the time in that area at home and use a pole rated 15 to 30 and a reel that will hold 250 yards of thirty pound braid, shoot me an e-mail and I'll get you fixed up. I fish the main stem Columbia all year long on an ebb tide and NEVER use more than 8 ounces of lead. Yes I fish the good current. In cold water it's all about getting your bait way back and using the least amount of weight possible.

8 1/2 foot lenght pole is perfect. I use 4/0 sticky sharp hooks and 50 pound dacron leaders soaked in a little vanilla extract. I will be fishing this Friday for sure and possibly Saturday as well. If your interested let me know.

greenbuttskunk · 01-12-2004, 09:30 AM

I do agree with tacklebuster about lighter gear in the right situation. I use the berkely buzz ramsey 20-50. It has alot of backbone but a good tip for hook setting and detecting the bite. I do however, highly stress that if you are going to fish up at bonneville, to use much heavier gear. There are alot of big oversize girls up there and a stout outfit will allow you to land them quickly, plus the depths and current tend to require heavy weights, especialy if you are going to use shad. The tiger stik with a penn 320 GTI is my set up and it's a good match for deep water, fast current, and big fish. These fish need to be fought quick, and released without leaving any gear attached to them. We need to minimize the stress that a long prolonged fight can create., plus it bums me to see a leader hanging out one's poop chute.
Lower river, less current, and shallower water a good back bouncing salmon rod is great, and it's quite a sporting fight too. 30-50lb braided or tuff line, and a decent reel. Try to fish the outgoing tides, it moves the scent to the fish better, look for holes and anchor up stream of them, not on top. Remember you are not fishing below you, expecially in good current. You may be many feet behind the boat. Try fresh smelt, and add scents when they seem to like it. Experiment
Also eel, and squid can be good. Like tacklebuster said, go out with someone who knows the fishery, there actually are alot of fine details to it sometimes. Good luck, and enjoy
those diamond sides.
GBS

01-12-2004, 10:02 AM

Chris White - I will help anyone. :smile:

If you throw carrots at me, make sure they are the good and fresh ones. Don't care for the rotten ones. :shocked: :grin:

"Fiyur Hot"

01-12-2004, 12:00 PM

Scott, next it will be "noodle rods" and one ounces. :blush: :grin: [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

fishingfirst · 01-12-2004, 12:05 PM

I too like the 15-50 Buzz special, even the shakers feel like keepers! And a keeper size feels like a monster.

It's all about the fun.

Use what you are comfortable with. I like the lighter gear.

See you on the water,
Scott

Tacklebuster · 01-12-2004, 11:42 PM

Like I said, we are talking about the Portland area. Leave your Broomsticks at home. We are not going to Bonny to cause any stress or fatigue to our breeders so let's not go there.

Buzz 20-50, I thought you said light gear

fishingfirst · 01-12-2004, 11:54 PM

"Buzz light gear"

Are we talking fishing here, or "Toy story"
:grin:
"To the Asaltor......and beyond!"

Snoopy rods next!

Scott

[ 01-12-2004, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: fishingfirst ]

greenbuttskunk · 01-12-2004, 11:58 PM

tacklebuster,
I too agree, for the portland area. Just wanted to make sure the guy is armed if he fishes the fishery area since it's so popular at times.
I like the 15-50 alot, especially in the estuary.
glad you're into the finesse thing with gators, it is a whole lot more fun fighting them for sure.