Just got back from Idaho, and need to get to bed. Quick report -- the sturgeon fishing was a little slow, we only caught 16 and had two break off (50 pound test line is no match for a large sturgeon, if the drag doesn't get a chance to work) and one got off after getting wrapped around the anchor rope. Rob was the unlucky one to have both of them break off, and both of them were large ones -- possibly even larger than any that we landed. No big ones this trip, the largest was only 83 inches long. The largest one landed let me reel it almost to the boat before I was sure I even had a fish on, let alone a sturgeon. It came alive right next to the boat, and by the time I got it under control we had some lines tangled and I was afraid it was going to spool me before we let the boat drift with the fish. Rob had an almost identical situation with one that leaped right in front of him less than ten feet from the boat. I didn't know if I should look at the leaping sturgeon or look at the shock on Rob's face. We had several of them jump for us, some multiple times. Caught them on the usual herring and crawlers, and the largest one was caught on a slab of bluegill, caught one on a slab of crappie and I also caught one on a Dagwood. Val, Rob and I had a great time, with the weather on Thursday being an eight ouncer, and the rest of time it was four-ounce weather. I will post some pictures tomorrow.
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Hey Kent,
Thank's for the report. Sound's like a good trip to me. Can't wait to see the Pictures.
Tincanfsh
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Thanks for the great report Kent. Sounds like you guys had a pretty fair and fun time and I'm looking forward to the pic's..
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Cant wait to see those pics!Thats awesome that you guys got into some fish!
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WOW! What a great day you had Kent. You are becoming a master of those sturgeons. Great report.
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jeezus man, 16 of those badboys and thats a little slow, and "only" 83" 172lbs for the big fish, i would love to have #'s of monsters like that, if i ever get a good job where i could slip away i would have to join you it looks like a blast
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[size 1]Note: it is illegal to remove sturgeon from the water in Idaho, so the above weights are approximate weights from a weight chart.[/size]
just curious are all sturgeon catch and release?
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[size 1]"just curious are all sturgeon catch and release?"[/size]
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[size 1]For all of Idaho, yes it is totally catch and release. One must also use barbless hooks.[/size]
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Looks like fun! I wish I could call a slow day of catching fish that weight as much as I do.
Some states it is still legal to keep some sturgeon, I'm not sure why I would want to though. It would take a long time to eat that much fish, and I don't think I'd want one on the wall. I sure would like to fight some one day.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I've caught and ate many sturgeon. All my sturgeon have come from the SF Bay area. They are dang good table fare. A sturgeon has no bones so once you skin it and remove the spinal cord (I guess that's what you call it), we steak them out. They are a dense meat with a mild flavor. It readily accepts any type of seasoning you wish to use. Oh yea, I'll eat a sturgeon any day.[/size][/black][/font]
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I've never had the pleasure of eating a sturgeon, but hope to some day make it up on the Columbia River during "keeper season". I believe during that time of year one can keep two sturgeon between 3 feet and 6 feet long. Unfortunately, they have problems with some fishermen (I would call them much worse) poaching sturgeon in Idaho. I guarantee you if I ever witness it I will be tailing them with my cell phone in one hand until they are arrested.
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Kent,
Again, thank you for a fishing trip of a life time. I hope our trip to FG this weekend is a good one. It was a pleasure to be with you and Val and enjoy some great fishing!!!!
Rob
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Nice pictures Kent!
Oh boy,, one of these day!!
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It looks like you had another great sturgeon fishing trip Kent, thanks for sharing.
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OK IM JELOUS AGAIN KENT. SOME PRITTY GOOD ONES AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN USEING 70 POUND TEST AND STILL SOME TIMES GET BROKE OFF. TUBE DUDE RAINBOWS AS BAIT? WOW I SUPRIZED YOU PUT THAT OUT THERE.. LOL ITS MY FAVORITE BAIT FOR STURGUIN TOO. ILL BE TAKING CHUCK UP FOR THEM PRITTY SOON. HE HAS CAUGHT A TON OF BIG FISH IN HIS DAYS BUT NOTHING LIKE THESE GUYS. GREAT REPORT KENT.
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[cool]Nice report and pics, kent. Thanks for sharing! One of these years I'm gonna make it up there for those monsters!
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[size 1]"One of these years I'm gonna make it up there for those monsters!"[/size]
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[size 1]It cost each of us less than $60 bucks for the fuel for the boat and the Suburban, and bait (and had we caught our own crawlers we could have saved each of us about $7.00). Additional cost of $18.50 (will cost a little more after June 30th) for a three day license and of course one must eat whether they are in Idaho or at home. Really no need to wait for one of these years, because one can do it without having to mortgage the family farm.[/size]
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[cool]Well, I don't have any of that heavy duty salt water type gear necessary, but maybe next Spring I can get some used stuff and tag along.
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I'm not saying I wouldn't eat one...I've heard they are good table fare, I just don't think I could justify having that much fish in the freezer. I try to only keep what I'll eat, cause I don't want them to go to waste, so having over 100lbs of fish would be too much for me and my small family. But given the chance, I'd like to try some out.
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Sounds like you caught enough sturgeon to keep yourself busy. I hope you didn't get to sore reeling those heavy fish in.[
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