Saturday with fishcrazy

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I spent Saturday out on the Columbia fishing for Sturgeon, or as he calls them "Gators",
wow! what a blast

[shoot-em-dead]

So- did you catch any? I sure had a blast out there with him and Rasbo.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

That was his boat, I was figuring out how to post pictures, now I will get on with the story.
We had anchored less than 10 minutes when one of the rods started to wiggle and they told me, as I hadn't caught a Sturgeon yet, to go ahead and take it.
I reeled down and set the hook...OMG all I felt was a strong pull on the other end that didn't want to come up....
I wrastled the fish about half way to the boat and the leader broke  
I thought I had pulled too hard, but was laughed at, telling me that it wasn't a big one, just a bad leader....
I felt bad about losing one but had no sooner got out of the way so they could re-tie a leader and get the bait in the water when another rod started to pulse...
I was told to go ahead and take this one also, so I grabbed the rod reeled down and bam!!! once again I had to strain to pull on the fish, but this time I wasn't afraid to give it a little more effort.
After my arm was burning a little and a lot of reeling I was able to boat my first Sturgeon !

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

It wasnt long after getting bait back in the water, when the rod started pulsing again!
I was told to go ahead, seeing as to how I was the rookie and all 
WOW !! in the next half hour I probably reeled in 5 other shakers and my arm was getting sore when the next one pulled back and started stripping line off the reel !!
This one felt different !! I was struggling with it, as it kept pulling line and I was already a little tired from the previous fish, so we let the anchor go to try and follow it.
Having never caught any Sturgeon before, I had no Idea how big it was, but I knew it was bigger than the others by the fact that it was kicking my ass
A little later we boated our first keeper a beautiful 42 inch "Gator"

I want to make sure and thank Fishcrazy for this wonderful experience!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Well, we were having fun, actually taking turns realling in shakers (my arm was still a little sore) and had a few doubles even, and I couldnt help noticing that we were doing a lot better than either of the other boats on either side of us.
If you ever go fishing with Fishcrazy pay attention, he knows what he is doing.
It wasnt that long (time flies when your having fun) before I got ahold of another fish that started stripping line instead of comming up relunctantly, I mean this one had no intention of giving up easily.
After an extended struggle, we finnally got to get a look at our second keeper, it was an awesome 49 incher that made the first one look skinny!!!!!!!

[shoot-em-dead]

I'm going to have to try and make it down there again. Looks like he has been getting keepers on the last few trips.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

We fished for a little while longer and caught a few more shakers, but the bite had slowed down and the weather was getting slightly rough, so we decided to take a break for a little while and cruise up to Bob's Sporting Goods and wait for the tide to change (and hopefully the wind to settle)
We got to miss out on a rain squall while we were gone and the wind had settled a little while we were away, so we anchored up and tried to see if we could catch another keeper to limit out the boat on Sturgeon for the day....
Fishing was a little slower with a few shakers now and then, but nowhere near the pace of the morning and it was almost time to leave when Fishcrazy decided to fillet out the fish before we headed in. (keeping the carcase for evidence of size)

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

It must have been a good tactic, because before he was halfway through the first one the outside rod started to pulse, and this was no shaker!
I got to watch as another 42 inch keeper hit the deck !!!!!!!!!!!!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I have no Idea how many we caught, but it was a great day to be out on the water, and I hope to be allowed to go with him again.
My arms are a little tired today, but all I can think of is I wish I was out there again!!
And hope for the opportunity again soon.
Maybe next time we will see about picking up a Springer or two also!!!!!

P.S. If any of you other guys have room on your boat that a poor guy can afford, I am pretty easy to get along with. (I don't smell that bad, and I try not to talk too much...)

[fishcrazy]

It was a great day. After getting up at 4:00 a.m. all week to go to work I wasn't sure about going fishing on Saturday. It was a last minute thing and I'm glad I finally got you out. Like most trips that I'm not sure if I want to go because of being exhausted I'm glad I just did it. I would rather be tired from fishing all day then tired from sitting around the house.

I had a lot of fun fishing with you. Great guy with a love of hunting with sticks.

I will post some pics when  Iget a chance but yer pics are probably better.

We went for springers today. Got one with a tall fin.
Kris

[denali]

Looks like you guy's had fun !!!  went gator hunting in the hanford reach couple months ago.. 0 - nada.. nothing  , had fun just the same!     Congrats !

[Ripper]

  Nice job you guy's. I hope the fishing is good next w/e. I'll be down there with some guy's from work, while fishcrazy has the other half of the guy's. I'm not sure what kind of bet we'll have going, but I have a feeling he'll win since I'm new to the Columbia. Can't wait, come on March 20th, and please fish gods.....no wind!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Man, I cooked up some of that tonight for dinner  
I took some Cheese Nips and some Funyuns, ran it on high in the processor until I had some fine crumbs, a little egg wash and breaded some thin slices, 2 minutes in hot oil....
  WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Navyhunter]

Nice fish guys!!!!

[Muzzynbow]

I have no Idea how many we caught, but it was a great day to be out on the water, and I hope to be allowed to go with him again.
My arms are a little tired today, but all I can think of is I wish I was out there again!!
And hope for the opportunity again soon.
Maybe next time we will see about picking up a Springer or two also!!!!!

P.S. If any of you other guys have room on your boat that a poor guy can afford, I am pretty easy to get along with. (I don't smell that bad, and I try not to talk too much...)

Hey Friend....... Congratulations!!  Sounds like you enjoyed a fantastic day on the water. Thanks for e-mailing the pics to us - they will go in our in our hunting/fishing photo albums. Thanks for sharing your fun day with us.
And, we have always enjoyed your company (and your family)  You love and enjoy the great outdoors as much as we do....You're welcome in our camp any time.   

[cohoho]

Great job guys....  They are one addicting fish for sure......

[let.it.fly]

that would be a blast. i have wanted to take my boat down but i know nothing about sturgeon, i'm afraid i would be one of the boats on either side with no luck. and thats alot of gas. if anyone ever has an empty seat and wants help with gas lemme know. maybe we can work somthing out when rock fish opens. i know where the lings are in bellingham... though i'm sure you wouldnt be impressed with my boat. lol