12/26/03 keeper sturgeon caught and eaten

kwik karl · 12-29-2003, 04:38 PM

My wife and brother were out fishing with me Saturday when this huge ugly sea lion boiled up behind the boat with a keeper sized sturgeon in his mouth. He was shaking it violently trying to rip it in half, which he did. I tried to get a photo of him, not the greatest

We saw him catch at least one more sturgeon. We were near Sauvies Island right above the TP. I didn't think a sea lion would go after one of those old spiney monsters. Has anyone else ever witnessed this?

Boatdog · 12-29-2003, 04:42 PM

No, I haven't (sp?) seen it (only salmon thrashing), but I would like to see the pic. Bummer, it didn't upload on the thread.

Great story, do they eat everything?! :shocked:

[ 12-29-2003, 05:44 PM: Message edited by: Boatdog ]

STGRule · 12-29-2003, 04:43 PM

Yes, they eat them. I saw a sea lion eat an oversize green at the mouth of the Rogue. Everything has a predator. Nature is like that.

kwik karl · 12-29-2003, 04:45 PM

[ 12-29-2003, 05:51 PM: Message edited by: STGRule ]

kwik karl · 12-29-2003, 04:48 PM

No, he didn't eat the whole thing, but the sea gulls and an opportunistic eagle recieved a fine meal afterwards.

Tagster · 12-29-2003, 04:50 PM

FrogPond · 12-29-2003, 05:35 PM

Yep, I have seen the same thing down around Astoria. It looked more like the Sealion was just playing with it though. Playing rough.

talk2elk · 12-29-2003, 07:20 PM

Karl , we were out Friday in that same spot. My neighbor Bob was fighting a shaker when started taking line fast!! we then thought he had a oversized on, Wrong! it was the sealion, a big one. When it came to the surface, it spit out the sturgeon. Bob started reelin hard & got it in & released it . It was a few seconds of hot action

Bruce

hookumup · 12-29-2003, 07:36 PM

Kwik Karl I think I saw that same critter he came up a couple times out in the channel from me.
How did you all do on saturday?
My wife got the only thing close to keeper size.

See ya out there

Hook :grin:

Crazy Fisherman · 12-29-2003, 08:35 PM

I wonder how these things would fight on halibut gear with wire leaders. :grin:

Chromaflage · 12-29-2003, 08:42 PM

I think Team Cast and Blast Needs to go on a mission. :grin:

[ 12-29-2003, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: OregonRedside ]

Sturgeon 42 · 12-30-2003, 05:39 AM

Keep your eyes open when keepers are tied to the side of your boat, had a sea lion eyeing my wifes keeper one year could'nt figure why he was staring at us with his big eyes. Well now I know for sure..... :grin: :grin: :grin:

FishFreak · 12-30-2003, 07:05 AM

Terific picture.... looks a lot like my chocolate lab... (was he out fishing with me that day????) he loves sturgeon but usually waits for the BBQ

blacktail519 · 12-30-2003, 07:18 PM

Killer pic!!
I like it............

Born to be Wild · 12-30-2003, 07:44 PM

Cool pic!

I don't understand or can't make out that spray or whatever it is coming to or fro the sea lions mouth.

Dano

alwyze fishin · 12-30-2003, 08:47 PM

looks like one of those catch and release fish i see flooting down river behind a boat

ok i give this one it is missing half its body

[ 12-30-2003, 09:50 PM: Message edited by: alwyze fishin ]

5-Cents · 12-30-2003, 08:55 PM

The sealion is just doing what they do to survive...

FYI sealions are a great fight on salmon gear... chased one that had my buddies springer in its mouth last year for about 2 miles, I really wanted that kwikfish back! Ended up getting the kwikfish and the 20lb clipped springer back too. Good thing it was clipped because after a 2 mile tug-o-war with a sealion the fish was a little limp!