Sturgeon Report

[JoeVon]

Very good info Cohoho!  I'm interested to see how the Circle hooks work out for you guys.

[Ray]

Anyone recognize these two skunks?

Total pros. 

[huntnphool]

I think thats the only time I have seen Coho out there without his dayglow blue gloves on

[bankwalker]

I have not ever used them only seen them and from my understanding the design is utililzed by setting in the corner of a fish' mouth? many people I have talked with seem to think a circle hook wont work well......... you seem to think they will, ill give one a try soon, I have trips all this week...

i have used them before quite a few years back. we were using 5/0's for keeper size fish and missed at least 80% of the fish. switched back to normal hooks and the hookup rate trippled. never used circle hooks again after that. 

[cohoho]

Just got done tying 15 snelled egg loop 12/0 circle hooks for next weekend, so I'll see what happens..... 

Man, I can't believe your dogging my cool gloves......   I went to a pale light blue color cheaper glove and they keep ripping all the time, going back to my purple Nitrex favorites...  Ok, so I'm color blind what do I know...........

[cohoho]

Also went through this from 2003.....  Good read, I like the part of once each person gets an oversized call it a day of sorts...  But some reported cricles not hooking as well, one area I'm dying to try and see...


Lower Columbia Oversize Sport Sturgeon Fishery

A summary of the workshop meeting concerning gear regulations and best fish handling practices for the oversize sport sturgeon fishery

A public workshop was held on December 29, 2003 at the ODFW's NW Region office in Clackamas, Oregon.  The purpose of the workshop was to review the oversize sport sturgeon fishery and develop alternative gear regulations and best fishing practices that would reduce injury and mortality to oversize white sturgeon handled in this fishery.  A total of 11 members of the public attended the meeting, of which nine were professional guides that participate in the current fishery and three represented sport fishing industry organizations (i.e. NSIA and Pure Fishing).  Technical and policy staff from the ODFW and the WDFW were also present.

Discussion at the workshop focused primarily on the status of the broodstock populations, fishery impacts, appropriate gear for use in the oversize sport sturgeon fishery, best fishing practices, and angler education.  Fishery recommendations developed by the group were divided into two general categories: 1) gear regulations and 2) angler education.  Results of the discussion are summarized below.

Gear Regulations:

The group discussed gear that is currently used by professional guides participating in the oversize sport sturgeon fishery.  In general there was consensus among the public participants that the following gear regulations would be appropriate for use in an oversize sport sturgeon fishery.  The group felt that these regulations should apply to all sturgeon anglers in the area above Skamania Island during the timeframe that the oversize sturgeon boat fishery sanctuary is in effect.  Additionally, the group expressed concern over the handle of oversize sturgeon in the bank fishery that occurs when and where the oversize sturgeon boat fishery sanctuary is in effect.

Line Type:   No monofilament line allowed
      Mainline size > 80 pound test
      Leader size > 95 pound test
Hooks:   Restrict to one hook only
Restrict to bronze hooks only
Based on the assumption that ingested bronze hooks will dissolve more quickly than plated or stainless steel hooks
Hook size > 9/0
Based on the assumption that larger hooks were less likely to be deeply ingested
Rod:      Rating > 40 pound

Other gear topics were also discussed but were not part of the groups recommended regulation package.  The group did not support the use of circle hooks or the elimination of whole shad as bait in this fishery.  Guides who experimented with circle hooks report poor hooking rates in comparison to the "J" style hooks currently used in the fishery.  Leader length was also discussed but the group could not come to consensus on what the appropriate leader length should be.
Education:

The group discussed methods of educating the general public on best fishing practices for sturgeon fisheries in the lower Columbia River, especially the oversize fishery.  Many of the participants at this workshop put on seminars concerning the oversize sport sturgeon fishery and felt that these seminars should focus on protection of oversize sturgeon through best fishing practices.  In general the participants in this workshop agreed that the topics listed below should be included in an education program for the general public.  Additionally, it was proposed that the Oregon and Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife should work with fishing industry organizations, such as NSIA, to develop brochures that describe best fishing practices for sturgeon sport fisheries, especially the oversize fishery.  Education efforts should focus primarily on the area where the oversize fishery occurs.  Educational information should also be included in ODFW and WDFW regulation pamphlets and other types of media (i.e. radio and television) when feasible.

•   Encourage proper fish handling techniques to maximize survival of released fish.  Information should focus on oversize fish but should also include legals and sublegals handled to promote maximum survival of all fish handled in sport sturgeon fisheries.
•   Proper boat handling procedures to reduce stress on fish by landing fish quicker.  Use of propeller guards should be emphasized to avoid striking a fish with an operating boat motor.
•   Proper techniques for reviving stressed fish prior to release after a strenuous fight.  Fish should be strong enough to swim away vigorously.
•   Promote removal of all hooks possible.  Proper hook removal techniques should be identified and emphasized.
•   Anglers participating in the oversize sport sturgeon fishery should be encouraged to end their fishing trip when each person has had a chance to participate in landing one oversize white sturgeon.  Landing of several oversize sturgeon per passenger should be discouraged.

The ODFW and the WDFW joint staff will take these recommendations under advisement and will present fishery recommendations at future Commission and Joint State regulation hearings.

[huntnphool]

I think I will hit the lower river next weekend too Mike, see you there.

[singleshot12]

It all comes down to personal ethics, public education, and a common sense approach by management officials to keep their numbers stabilized.
Maybe this can be achieved for once without another great fishery having to be shut down.

[skipper]

I have not ever used them only seen them and from my understanding the design is utililzed by setting in the corner of a fish' mouth? many people I have talked with seem to think a circle hook wont work well......... you seem to think they will, ill give one a try soon, I have trips all this week...

i have used them before quite a few years back. we were using 5/0's for keeper size fish and missed at least 80% of the fish. switched back to normal hooks and the hookup rate trippled. never used circle hooks again after that. 

All i use for Sturgeon are circle hooks they work way better then normal J hooks if you use them right the fish will always hook itself in the corner of the mouth and not come unbuttoned. Most people that miss the fish with a circle hook do it because they try to set the hook like normal and not just allow the hook to work how it's supposed to. I'll never go back to a normal hook fishing for Sturgeon

[D_morg]

hey guy's i don't do to much fishing but sturgeon fishing sounds like allot of fun.can you post some pics of your rigging sow i can look at what i need as far as gear thanks

[cohoho]

Skipper, That is the same information I have heard from several guys that use them.  I'll give it a go and thanks for the post..


Dmorg- I am no expert for sure but what I use seems to work out pretty good. I use Okuma reels 30 for keepers and 55 for OS, but might go to Penn 321 for the light stuff next year.  I got the lighter reels on either 8 1/2 foot Ugly sticks, Heavy salmon or Ugly stick light heavy and a Whooping stick or two in Med-heavy.  OS stuff is on Heavy Yellow Ugly Sticks.
On my Keepers rod I use 65lb braided on my OS stuff I use 100lb bradied.  I take a red bead slide it on the line then a slider rig, I like the brass ones, expensive but they work better IMO, then another bead.  I tie off to a 200 lbs test swivel.  I take a 24" -30" leader and tie directly to the swivel then at the other end tie a snell hook in either 5/0 to 11/0 hook.  I'm going to circle hooks here soon, so I got to see what size works best for me, bought some 13/0 for OS so we'll see.  Attached to the brass slider is sinker either ball or triangle of weight depending upon the current of the water from 12 ounces to 32 ounces at the dam.  This is the basic rig that I know...

[huntnphool]

Wow Coho, I use 25# mainline and 50# dacron leader on my rods, have never had an issue but then I don't go after the OS either though.

[rasbo]

hey cohoho.I have a okuma f1400 any experience with that one..

[cohoho]

Wow Coho, I use 25# mainline and 50# dacron leader on my rods, have never had an issue but then I don't go after the OS either though.

What is so Wow?  I have gotten almost all of the OS I have caught on my salmon rods.....  I think that's why I like Sturgeon fishing, you never know what your getting at the other end of the line...  

Don't know anything about that reel...

[huntnphool]

What is so Wow?

65# mainline?