Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: MerriamMagician on May 25, 2017, 08:59:53 AM

Title: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: MerriamMagician on May 25, 2017, 08:59:53 AM: I thought I would start this thread for anyone who wants to post about this years sturgeon fishery on the Wanapum and Priest Rapids pools. I'm excited to fish it this year with it being a local option and after having a bit of success last year. Who's all planning on getting out this weekend? It could be challenging fishing with the river really ripping right now. I'll be out testing the waters for sure!
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: Gringo31 on May 25, 2017, 09:59:59 AM: I keep thinking about it.

Still on the fence......
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: shootem on May 25, 2017, 01:29:57 PM: tag
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: ouchfoss on May 26, 2017, 01:18:17 PM: I didnt realize sturgeon was open anywhere til I read the thread about Roosevelt opening up. I am stoked now and am trying to plan a trip or two this year to the Wanapum and the Priest Rapids area to try and catch one. Looking forward to hearing about how fishing is going and some tactics for them. As much of a fishing freak that I am, I have never caught a sturgeon. Ate some a few years back and it was awesome! :tup:
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: crazywednesday on May 26, 2017, 02:40:56 PM: Are these sturgeon fished the same way you would fish them below I5?

Justin
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: UBA on May 28, 2017, 06:19:57 AM: What's everyone favorite rigging setup and bait.
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: MerriamMagician on May 30, 2017, 10:04:46 AM: Tried our luck on Saturday. Got on the water early expecting lots of other boats. Instead, we were the first there and only a handful of boats showed up. The waters right below the dam are raging to the point where we felt it wasn't even safe to fish there. Our big anchor wouldn't even hold against the torrent. Several other boats came up to take a look and turned away also. So we tried a little further down in slightly calmer waters. Had some action early on, hooked and lost a few, and landed one big oversize. No keepers caught and did not see any other boats hook into fish.
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: theleo on May 30, 2017, 10:16:38 AM: Forgive my ignorance in asking, but is there much bank access below Wanapum or Rock Island?
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: MerriamMagician on May 30, 2017, 02:43:21 PM: Quote from: theleo on May 30, 2017, 10:16:38 AM
Forgive my ignorance in asking, but is there much bank access below Wanapum or Rock Island?

Yeah there's plenty of access. Good luck fishing from shore though. With the way the current is ripping your gonna need a lot of weight to hold on bottom. I'm not the best at casting with a baitcasting reel, especially with a 2-3 pound chunk of lead on the line. I gave it a go last year and my best casts went maybe 20 yards. I also tried running the rig out using a second rod equipped with a planner board. This worked ok to get the bait out further but is tricky to run both rods at once to get it out there
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: krapmit on May 30, 2017, 02:58:06 PM: Did you fish Sand Shrimp or herring off the bottom? What's your tactic?
Title: Re: Wanapum sturgeon thread
Post by: theleo on May 31, 2017, 08:51:00 AM: Quote from: MerriamMagician on May 30, 2017, 02:43:21 PM
Quote from: theleo on May 30, 2017, 10:16:38 AM
Forgive my ignorance in asking, but is there much bank access below Wanapum or Rock Island?

Yeah there's plenty of access. Good luck fishing from shore though. With the way the current is ripping your gonna need a lot of weight to hold on bottom. I'm not the best at casting with a baitcasting reel, especially with a 2-3 pound chunk of lead on the line. I gave it a go last year and my best casts went maybe 20 yards. I also tried running the rig out using a second rod equipped with a planner board. This worked ok to get the bait out further but is tricky to run both rods at once to get it out there
Wont be going until maybe July (getting married at the end of June) but I usually have some 14oz tear drops, a box of screws, and my cordless drill. If it's a rock bottom I usually don't have an issue getting my gear to hang up.