Oversized Sturgeon

[1morebuck]

So I have been chasing oversized sea monsters the last two weekends with fair success. My buddy and I have been fishing right up to the sturgeon marker below Bonneville Dam using shad and herring. In the forum's opinion what and where are the best baits and places to chase the really big ones. I am talking over 10 feet. We have been nailing them up to 8.5 feet but have not been able to make the 10 foot mark yet.

Kelly

[singleshot12]

I think you will find out though that most people on here are against the targeting of over-size or "spawner" sturgeon.

[BLUEBULLS]

I'm not against it. If you're getting 8.5's you're most likely in a good area. once they're that big they'll act alike. I'm not familiar with that pool but up here around tri-cities you'll get all of the bigger fish in the same areas. I'm not sure how the population is doing down there but up here we have a lot of all age classes.

[cohoho]

Trust me, I know how you feel, stuck at the 9.5 range for myself...  Fresh shad, slightly filleted...  Bigger bait - bigger fish.  We were using shad that was 16" long and almost 32 ounces to keep it down in same hole your fishing.  As for the comments of MOST are against targeting of oversized or spawner, I don't think that is true.  Sure some are against it, some are not..... 

[BLUEBULLS]

also keep in mind that when someone tells you they get lots of 11-14 footers they're probably full of it.

[cohoho]

also keep in mind that when someone tells you they get lots of 11-14 footers they're probably full of it.

Best response yet!!!!!   

[buckhorn2]

The 1700 oversize the sea lions ate last year according to wdf were probley all the 9 foot and overs. A lot of the guys against oversize fishing are the ones who let the 3 and 4 point deer and elk go so they can shoot a spike or doe or cow so the big ones can reproduce. It;s legal if you don;t like it don;t do it. We already have enough regulations and rules without promoting more.

[1morebuck]

I think you will find out though that most people on here are against the targeting of over-size or "spawner" sturgeon.

I am sorry you feel that way. I am new at the oversized fishery. So far we have caught a few, made sure they were under their own power and swum off just fine. I did some research on the lactic acid build up that they get during and after a fight and if they are revived before turning them loose I see no issue with fishing for them. SOOOOO.... I will be back down there in two weeks to give it a go again. I agree that other fishermen told me they were catching 10,11 and 12 footers, but when I saw the photos of one such 11-footer, it looked a lot like my 8.5 footer. Oh, well thats why we turn em' loose, that way they can be any size we want!
 :)Kelly (Team Hood Canal Hookers)

[singleshot12]

I guess I was just hoping most people on here were against it,lol.
Just seems it would be common practice and common sense to leave sturgeon of this age,size,and spawning maturity alone.
Why would seals catch 1700 large sturgeon?  These fish have out swam seals for decades! Could it be that those sturgeon were too exhausted after being fought and released to out swim the sea lion?

[1morebuck]

I doubt that any sturgeon caught by fishermen are directly targeted by those damn sea loins. Most of the seals are catching them up right by the dam where they have no where to go. Do you feel the same way about salmon fishing in the rivers or steelheading in the rivers and letting them go? Not attacking you, I really want to know

[singleshot12]

That's fine it's just a personal opinion I guess..No I don't really agree with a C&R fishery on rivers either, especially when native steelhead and chinook are concerned. If ya can't keep them and they're endangered leave them alone goes for nets too of coarse  I don't agree with more fishing laws either but if half were common sense laws then there wouldn't be near as many.

[cohoho]

If F & G was serious and worried about the situation, I'd be on board for what the Biologist have to say in regards to fishing for these magnificent beasts.  But until they limit the nets and control the natives - why should I not go after these fish on few trips a year basis? Yea, I could not go and maybe not catch the 10-15 that I do, but someone else will fill my spot and the guides well they are on to these fish every day and most of them have 10 times the water time as most bio's, but never get heard.  Idaho and Canada have gone to C & R on these fish and have great fisheries for them OS included.  Until Washington and Oregon get serious and control the other factors (nets, natives and poachers) of outright killing these monsters it isn't going to change a thing...  But are OS the size we should be most concerned about.  I am a bit mixed but think Keeper retention is a bigger concern.  I sort of agree with the guys that say limit it now because numbers are way below what they used to be.  Are we catching all of the legal sized fish?  Quite possibly yes is the answer, while I can't give any facts due to only being here for three years and fishing for Sturgeon for that time also.  But, if you look at how many guides, charters and personal recreational fishermen are tagging fish, it is a bit staggering for sure.  Throw in the nets, the poachers and the Natives and where into taken such an extreme amount of these Keeper sized fish no wonder they are in short supply.  Top it off with a mix of the seals attacking and getting fat on everything..... You got to figure both Oregon and Washington game departments have smart paid biologists that say the seasons are fine, but are they thinking of the dollar amount all these fishermen bring to the table and economy or are they really into preserving the fishery.  Where are these massive runs of Shad, where are the massive runs of smelt, where are the massive runs of lampry- all food for the Sturgeon but if the bait goes the fish will follow right?  I got an old Sturgeon book and in it the author describes catching hundreds of sturgeon in the keeper range everyday.  I am far from an expert for sure but we have had some spectacular days with very best being 75 fish to the boat with keepers, OS but mainly shakers...   Followed up by great fishing with 40+ fish to the boat three weekends in a row each time with majority being keepers.. And then the other not so good days....... But are we fishing them out of the river?  Until regulations are in place I got to trust and believe the bio's are right, or atleast hope so.  So I will continue to fish for the giants on a occasional basis.... Maybe Make it all a C & R fishery for a couple years!

[singleshot12]

Yup good points cohoe, these fish have been around for millions of years and it would be a real shame to see these fish go extinct now.
Nobody has really fished them until just the last few years and the keeper size bracket are becoming far and few..  And if catch and release is shut down then what will the guides do? take people out bird watching,lol

[buckhorn2]

Everyone is intitled to an opinion but if you think fish can outswim a sealion you must not fish or must not have a boat. In march at bonneville the fw report says sea lions consumed around 4489 salmon and steelhead. There are numerous reports on the devistation they are having on the oversize at bonneville and it;s the reason the deadline to fish for thaem has been pushed all the way down to marker 82. You don;t beleive in catch and release on salmon either then we would have no spring salmon fishing at all and no ocean sport fishing either. Like you said maybe a little common sense.

[fishcrazy]

Most people I find that are against OS fishing really are just under educated in the matter and have never really spent the time to get out and learn what is really going on.

The entire thing with the fishing deadline is just a grasp at straws. If they have a problem then lets get ALL nets out. They kill far more sturgeon then a few sport guys doing C&R but that would mean pissing off the people who fund the politicians. It's easy to just point the finger at us. by the time they figure out where the biggest problems are then it will be to late and we won't be able to fish at all.

Want a regulation for the sporties that will make a difference then how about a gear regulation. Hooks must be atleast 12/0 and reels must be able to produce a set amount of drag. IE no keeper gear can be used from May-October above I-5. That will save more OS than that stupid sanctuary. To many guys fish them with gear to light.

Oh ya most guys call a 9' fish an 11'. I just tell them I'm not their wife and they can't fool me.

We lost an honest 11' fish at the boat last year. had the leader in hand 3x but lost it. It was a true Sea Monster!!!

I'm going to be out of work after tomorrow and will be looking for some guys to go after some giants. Singleshot12 how about going along and seeing for yerself what OS fishing is about and how a true Sportsamn handles these fish?

Kris