St. Johns Sturgeon Report 1/11

[Tacklebuster]

Hit the river today with my wife, daughter, dog to spend some quality family time spanking some sturgeon. Today was a new day however as I vowed to explore some newer water and not hit the main stem Columbia or fish in an area in the Big WIlly or Multomah Channel that I have had great success in.

We started the day pretty hot with two keepers right off the bat. After hitting countless fish we decided to move. We ended the day fishing beside Fishitus (SP?) and watching him put on a clinic but I won't steal his thunder by telling his story. We didn't do that well beside him but we did manage another keeper and a couple other shakers to end the day. All three keepers were released to fight another day.

Smelt with a little vanilla extract mixed with anise injected was the weapon of the day. All fish were caught no deeper than 52 feet of water. I was amazed how light the current was in the Big Willy even after all the snow melt.

It was great meeting you Fishitus and I look forward to showing you some good bottom fishing areas out of Newport in the next month or so. I got some good video of you guys playing Chinese fire drill when you guys had a triple. Good job on the days catch [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Way to go Chris...

Hope all is well for you and the family...

Sounds like there are some gators being spanked out there...

Take Care...

[ANDYCOHO]

Way to go Tacklebuster!!!

I see you are saving some spots on the tag for...maybe...some estuary sturgeon???

[fishingfirst]

Nice job Chris and family!

We did the same sort of recon yesterday. We tried about five different spots in the Willamette before we ended up in the Columbia. Seems like the fish were everywhere, most were quality shakers that put up a good fight.

Have you tried the new "Sturgeon Frenzy" from Procure? If not, get your hands on some, it seemed to do really well yesterday, it outfished my go-to scent two to one.

Talk to you later,
Scott

[Dipnet]

Way to go Chris and family!! Sure wish it would have worked out for us to get out, but you know how that goes!! Next week come hell or high water we'll be out!!!!

Dipnet :grin:

[blacktail519]

Any pics there tacklebuster???? Would love to see em. great job

[Tacklebuster]

AndyCoho- Did someone say "Estuary Sturgeon" [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img] Those are the only ones I'll put in the freezer this year.

Terry- Looks like you guys did well on the chrome today. Good job

Scott- I haven't tried that scent yet. It actually stinks worse than your "Garlic" sauce Congrats on the fish Saturday. Looks like you guys threw hook in some of my favorite haunts.

Madeline- You guys should have been there. I found a killer spot in the Big Willy just up river from the Multomah Channel. We got two keepers out of that slot and about a dozen others that were between 38 and 40 inches. I'll show you next weekend.

BlackTail519- Because of a post someone made regarding the use of pics backing up fishing reports that was made sometime ago, I don't post pics. I do however have some great footage of todays events.

Fishitus took a few pics, I'm sure he will post some

[Dipnet]

Chris,we'll be there next weekend for sure. The only thing that will stop us is that dang ice!!!!!

Madeline :grin:

[Tacklebuster]

Madeline, How dare you say those nasty two words :shocked: Instead of dang ice, let's say calm wind or warm day :grin:

[ 01-11-2004, 09:50 PM: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

[Dipnet]

As long as there is none of that clear slick stuff [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] , I don't care if it's cold or rainy !! I can only dream of warm right now !!

Madeline :grin:

[TheRogue]

We went out of Scappoose, but ended up running all the way to K.P., trying to get some warmer water. Columbia was 36.9 degrees, Willy was 41 degrees.

Should've went out of Cathedral!

TR

[Sturgeon 42]

All I could manage Sat. between myself and Kodiakfisher(thanks for towing my boat down sat.) were about 50 fish with 6 coming within 1/2 inch of keeping, the guy next to me both Sat. and Sun caught keepers so I guess I have to wait for a bigger one..... :grin: :grin: :grin:

[grumman16]

TB,

I've been wanting to give the Estuary a try for Sturgeon, sounds like you done this a few times - when's the best time to plan a trip for over there?

Do you thinks its doable for a day trip or should I plan for 2 days (1st day to find the fish the 2nd for catching them)?

I've done plenty of gator fishing around KP, so I'm hoping I just need to learn the water and not so much the technique. I've fished out of Hammond a couple of times for Salmon so I know the area a bit, but any advice on an areas to focus on would help. Just too much water down there to try it all.

-G16

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Chris. Mad, we will bend the top back into shape, throw the heater in and go Saturday. :grin:

[CATCH AND EAT]

Good show Chris. Almost called ya yesterday then decided a nap sounded pretty good. Us old folks need one now and then.

[Tacklebuster]

Grumman 16- To fish the the estuary to the fullest, take all your knowledge about sturgeon fishing at Kelley Point and toss it all out the window. Different ball game down in the salt if you want to bring keepers home every trip. I do a day trip a lot in the summer but to get the most out of it, a two dayer is the best.

Start hitting it in the middle of May. We had a ten keeper day just outside of Hammond in the second week of May last year and we were one of three rigs in the parking lot.

If you are interested in some info shoot me an e-mail. It will take a long post to get you started but if you stick to the game plan, you will score fish without spending a day chasing your tail in that huge place.

Chris

[Dipnet]

Cool Rick, looking forward to it!!!! :grin: :grin:

Dipnet :grin:

[greenbuttskunk]

TB,
I agree, the estuary is so much fun. Those fish fight some much better down there, and yes it is a whole different ball game down there.