Sturgeon so far?

Fishybill · 01-02-2004, 08:15 PM

From what I have seen and can gather, gator fishing has been disapointing overall since the opener two days ago. With the early cut off of last year's season, one would expect to see keepers pretty thick. Spoke to a very competent sturgeon hunter today who spent the entire day in the kelly point area, and was astounded at the complete absense of a bite.

But then again, perhaps the early smelt run has filled them all up. From what I can ascertain here and from my other sources, the few fish that were taken were further down the river from Portland; closer to where the smeltiods are.

With the ******* and thier webs of death coming in less than two weeks, looks to me like another gator bust this year; three in a row. Four years ago at this time, in the KP area, from 9-11a, I boated 11 sturgon and 6 keepers on a row. So where oh where have the dinosours gone? In any case, I don't think I'll ever quite figure out the bites on the Columbia, and with the pitifully short de facto sturgoen season yet again, I've all but lost interst. Hopeing for early spring ocean conditions!!

[ 01-02-2004, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: Fishybill ]

TonTo · 01-02-2004, 08:21 PM

Oh everybody's probably just keepin hush on their sturgeon so they will have something to post for the challange

Might have to request the daily paper in the photo :grin: Got two new rods for the boat today and am about ready to try it myself.

blacktail519 · 01-02-2004, 08:24 PM

I think your right about the action further downriver!

Tacklebuster · 01-02-2004, 08:27 PM

I wouldn't toss the idea just yet.

The sturgeon fishing on the Columbia between St. Helens and the Gorge is awesome. This time of year you have to be looking for them. They are usually off the flats and are staging themselves for the smelt run. You may have to anchor 15 times to find them but when you do, it will be non stop. The stages of the tide will effect how good the bite is going to be. Fish the ebb tide and fish in high muddy water.

I love this time of year chasing sturgeon. You have to put in your time to find them. This time of year will make you earn your stripes if you consistantly want to get into keeper sturgeon.

Let me throw you a bone, would they be sitting in the deep slots and flats on the main Columbia this time of year? If so, what would they be feeding on? You need to find a food source, then and only then will you find the majority of the fish. Last year just before the smelt run, my "go to" spots were in the big Willy and Multomah Channel. Those spots are kicking out fish as I type.

There is a lot more to sturgeon fishing than pitching anchor. Too many people refer to them as stupid prehistoric bottom feeders. The fact is they are hard to catch at times and you have to work this time of year sometimes to find them.

Fishybill · 01-02-2004, 08:27 PM

Keeping hush? Few of us ever catch enough fish to not boast twice as many, right? [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

Fshklr · 01-02-2004, 08:28 PM

Headed to the E tomorrow!!! Can't wait..probably won't sleep due to anticipation!! :grin:

Fishybill · 01-02-2004, 08:32 PM

Good tips, TB! I too have found that lots of drops net more fish down off of Astoria. But for years I've seen the deep holes perform over and over in January, not muddy flats. But like I said I haven't got it all figured out by a long shot so I'll give your suggestions a try on Sunday and let you know how it went.

Tacklebuster · 01-02-2004, 09:06 PM

FishyBill- You can fish the muddy flats if you wish but a dollar to a doughnut says it will be a slow day. Fishing the deep holes will work if the deep holes are in line with the feed. There is not a whole lot of feed in the main stem Columbia right now from say Portland to St. Helens. The fish will be concentrated and will be feeding primarily on an ebb tide.

The deep holes below the mouth of the Big Willy following the Sauvie Island should hold fish. Deeper areas below the Lewis and Cowlitz will be full of fish. The Multnomah Channel will be full of sturgeon as I type hunting for food. Find the slots next to the river bends that funnel the current and you have a potential gold mine.

When the smelt arrives it will be easy pickens but until then, you might try areas other than the ones you do say in the spring and summer months.

01-03-2004, 10:30 AM

The deep hole below the Gilbert launch in the Multnomah Channel is a good alternative to the Columbia on some days. Sandshrimp, squid and nightcrawlers are also good additions to smelt.

If you can't find sandshrimp, make sure you at least have some sandshrimp and anise scent with you too.

The mouth of the channel right before it dumps into the Columbia can also be very good.

Rick

Fishybill · 01-04-2004, 06:40 AM

Buster... Your thoughts show a lot of experience. I'll also wager that the holes below the Lewis will be loaded; probably where the ******* will start. But smelt are already in the Cowlets pretty thick. My experience tells me that when the smelt come in, the gators are often gorged to the point of not biting. Soon as the weather rises above bite a** cold, I'll give it a try... practice for Saturday, as it were.

fortywinks · 01-04-2004, 07:54 AM

****** - What do you think about Lumpia as bait? My wife just made about 150 for the freezer! :grin:

Tacklebuster · 01-04-2004, 09:24 AM

FishyBill- You are right on the money about the sturgeon gorging themselves to the point that they are not really feeding and are hard to catch. That is when it turns inot easy pickins, let me explain....

On Thanksgiving I eat so much that thinking about another meal makes me sick. However, I can't walk by the feed table without taking a small piece of turkey or just a nibble of pie or other goodies. Sturgeon are the same way. Down size your offering to a chunk of smelt soaked in vanilla extract. They will go stir crazy over a piece that is two inches long and will inhale it making the hook set a no brainer.

01-04-2004, 10:34 AM

fortywinks - you could bait and hook albino's all the way down to the gut. Throw in a San Magu and you will always limit. :grin:

HAMAJAM · 01-04-2004, 03:53 PM

Just got back from Kelly point with three keepers in the boat,one mid-fifty that spit the hook as we reached for it, and about 20+ shakers. Not an outstanding day, just another beautiful day on the river (after salting down the decks in the morning). Morning was best with the outgoing tide then dropped off around noon, when the sea anchor fell out of sight. Not alot of traffic out there for the opening weekend.

HAMAJAM · 01-04-2004, 03:57 PM

Just got back from Kelly point with three keepers in the boat,one mid-fifty that spit the hook as we reached for it, and about 20+ shakers. Not an outstanding day, just another beautiful day on the river (after salting down the decks in the morning). Morning was best with the outgoing tide then dropped off around noon, when the sea anchor fell out of sight. Not alot of traffic out there for the opening weekend.

fortywinks · 01-04-2004, 05:40 PM

****** - we'll bring the Lumpia, if you bring the San Magu(Philippines, of course), or maybe a jug of ESQ!