Sturgeon leader questions (line type/knots)

[Waterfish]

I've been a sturgeon fisherman for a little less than a year. My family and I have been out for them about eight times now. We've caught some 40 inchers but no keepers yet. We went to a Fishermans' Marine sturgeon clinic last year and the instructor (Sturgeon Frank) recommended 80 lb tuff line with 130 lb dacron leader. Today while we were fishing I began to wonder why it is necessary to use dacron leader. Why not just use Tuff line with no leader? Why would you use a heavier test leader than your mainline? Also, what are the best kinds of knots to use with dacron leader and with Tuff line? The dacron leader is so thick it's hard to thread it through the eye of the hook. A couple of our knots came untied today. I've heard that with Tuff line, an improved cinch knot will cut through itself. Are there certain knots that are recommended for Tuff line and dacron?

[glowball]

Dacron is a bait friendly line. If you look close at the back and sides of a sturgeon you'll see why you need heavy leaders. I tie my sturgeon hooks on with a palomar knot. For smelt and anchovies I'll slide a bead on top of the 1st hook and thread another hook on hanging loose. For shrimp I'll do the egg loop knot so I've got something on the shank to tie to. I'm sure everyone has a different way, but that is what works for me.

Good luck

[Smj]

I use an egg loop knot to tie to the hook, 90#-100# dacron is easier to get through the eye. And I use a regular clinch not on a large swivel that ties to my 80# Tuff, with Slide-O above. I just use less wraps with those two knots and have never had a problem with things coming undone.

I believe some people like to use a threader, tieing a loop at the end of the hook leader. After threading the loop of the leader through the mouth and out the vent of the smelt, tie a half hitch at the tail and , using a large snap at the end of the main line to hook the leader to.

Hope that makes some sense to you.

llabwolg...I like that second hook idea, that might nail them fish that just suck the belly out and leave eh?

Smj

[Pitch Pocket]

For smelt and anchovies I'll slide a bead on top of the 1st hook and thread another hook on hanging loose.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Aren't the regs requiring a single barbless hook for sturgeon? :whazzup:

[River Ranger]

I think it means single point.I think you can use up to three hooks on a line.
R.R.

[bait boy]

Ah yes the age old question of multiple hooks for sturgeon... copied directly form the oregon 2004 reg pamphlet:

Hook and Weight Regulations
1. No more than 2 hooks may be used while angling for Pacific halibut and no
more than 3 hooks may be used while angling for other species. A double or treble
point hook is classed as one hook.
2. Measure hooks from point to shank, see sketch at right.
3. When angling for sturgeon, use of multiple-point hooks is prohibited in all waters. In the mainstem Columbia and Snake rivers, barbed hooks are
also prohibited.
4. When angling for salmon or steelhead, (except in the ocean or as listed under for specific bodies of water) the following regulations apply:
a. Single-point hooks larger than 1-inch and multiple-point hooks larger than 9/16 inch are prohibited.
b. All weight, if not part of a conventional lure, must be attached above the hooks. When using single-point hooks larger than 5/8-inch or
multiple-point hooks, the attachment of the weight must be 18 inches or more above uppermost hook.
5. Barbless hooks are strongly advised unless specifically required.


So the way I read this you can actually use 3 single point barbless hooks for sturgeon....

[ 01-19-2004, 08:31 AM: Message edited by: bait boy ]

[Waterfish]

Thanks for the tips. Now I need to buy some 90-100 lb dacron and learn how to tie a palomar knot.

[TonTo]

2003/2004 WA regs;
pg. 20 "Sturgeon:Single barbless hooks and bait are required to fish sturgeon...."
pg.15 Single:"A hook with a single point"
pg.15 Barbless:"A hook from which all barbs have been deleted when manufactured,filed off,or pinched down"
pg.20 Tackle:"Single barbless hooks are required in areas designated as "fly fish only"or "selective gear rules,"and while fishing for STURGEON."

[Lwagg2]

myself i use maxima 30lb mono for my mainline and 90lb dacron for my leader about 24 inchs long sometimes shorter sometimes longer with palomar knot. always 1 single barbless hook 6/0 - 8/0 sharper the better

[ 01-19-2004, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: lwagg2 ]

[bait boy]

all from page 20 of the 2003 washington regs...

Barbed or barbless
hooks may be used, and a hook may be single,
double, or treble, but not more than one line
with up to three hooks per angler may be used.
Single barbless hooks are required in areas
designated as "fly fishing only" or "selective
gear rules," and while fishing for STURGEON.


SELECTIVE GEAR RULES
Only unscented artificial flies or lures with
one single barbless hook are allowed. Up to a
total of three artificial flies or lures containing single barbless hooks may be used. Bait is prohibited;
fish may be released until the daily
limit is retained. No one may fish from any
floating device equipped with a motor, except
where specifically allowed under Special
Rules for individual waters. If any fish has
swallowed the hook or is hooked in the gill,
eye, or tongue, it should be kept if legal to do
so.