Other Activities > Fishing
Sturgeon Set-ups
ASHQUACK:
I've since switched to the okuma Coldwater reels. They aren't the "best" on the market but they work well for that job. They cast well and have sufficient drag even for the big ones. There are several makers of "sturgeon" rods but I found that a one piece glass rod rated for HEAVY weights work the best.
gallion_t:
I've always had a soft spot for Ugly Stiks. I think the big water conventional in heavy action and either 7' or 8' 3" might be where I start.
On the reel front, that's a different beast. Since I prefer a left hand retrieve it seems my options are pretty limited. The top option I'm finding right now is a Penn Squall 2 in the 30 weight. That would give me 500 yards of 80lb braided which I would hope would be sufficient.
Haven't bought anything yet and still very open to suggestions.
supagoose:
I've looked at the Ugly Stick Tiger in 7ft MH. I think it would be a nice rod for a boat. I'm right handed but I retrieve left hand for all reels except for conventional reels. I like right hand retrieve on conventionals, I feel I have a lot more power and endurance. I tried a left hand retrieve Penn Squall and it felt really funny and out of place for me. For line I like to run 300yds of 80lbs braid connected (via FG knot) to about 100 to 200yds of 40-60lbs mono on top.
dilleytech:
Ugly stick rods and penn squall 2 reels are great in either 20 or 30 size. 30 would be better for oversized fish. 65-80# braided line straight to the slider/swivel. 80# 30-40” Dacron leaders to 8/0 barbless hooks. They will eat anything. Herring/shad/squid are my favorite baits.
cohoho:
Get a rod with a very light sensitive tip but with plenty of heavy back bone. The winter bite can be very very slight - almost like trout bite. Summer/Spring - use your heavier rods as they typical grab and go - so detecting a bite isn't the issue. Oversize fishing - I use my travel Marlin/Shark gear (Talica 25's and Terez 100-200lb rods), as nothing hurts them more than playing a 8-11ft 300-500lb fish on horribly light gear, you'll see it - guys fishing over sized with crappy light set ups, taking huge amounts of time to get the fish to the boat and released..
I experimented with alot of rods and found to really like the Shimano Trevla rods for all around Sturgeon fishing, short, easy to use on a boat, cast exceptionally well with 2-3lbs skiding weights, the Ugly Stick Tiger (better price point too) has also a great light weight tip that is sensitive...
I'm particularly fond of Shimano Talicas or FinNor Marquesa's too, best drags in any class reels, winter stuff, I spool with 50-65lb braid, OS setup 120lb braid. 8/0 hooks and 11/0 for OS.