Wanted to see if I could get some input on safer rigging for sturgeon. My current setup is 80lb braid mainline with a sliding swivel, beads, swivel, leader, then hook. The sliding swivel is attached to 30lb big game and the sinker. The leader has been either braid or 50lb big game. I have a dozen breaks on the big game so that's why I went to braid.
However, I've read alot of posts that sturgeon sometimes roll (I haven't had one do it yet) and the braid will cut them. I just got an order of dacron leader in so I'm wondering how you guys use this.
My current leaders are only 14-28". IMO, if a sturgeon rolls its going to roll up alot more line than that...which would mean some of my mainline should be either mono or dacron as well. Any input would be appreciated.
Chris
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Use the largest diameter braid you can get away with. I use #150. Have had one sturge get line wrappped under his pectoral fin. I was concerned he may get cut but upon close inspection after landing the fish he was not harmed.
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good question im also wondering also
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Jake is correct..if you are going to use braid use 150LB minimum.
If not, then use 50 lb big game mono. Use the 50 lb dacron for your leader.
Slip a slider (to attach your wieght) on your rod line, then a bead, then a swivel rated for 100lb. Then tie on about 24 to 36 inches of dacron leader, and then your your hook. (I tie a bait loop so I make up the leader first then tie to the swivel)
Use any where from 20 to 40 lbs mono to attach your wieght to the slider. I like to keep it short around 6 inches because it makes feel like ti is easier to reel in and decrease snagging. Some go as long as 18 inches.
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What size ? brand ? of swivel I just buy the biggest they have but they are always cheep-o brass non ball bearing.
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Sampo or SPRO will work. I think the Sampo makes one rated for 175lb and the SPRO makes on rated for 120 lb. The Sampo is stainless and the SPRO is gun metal black.
I am sure there are more out there.
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eBay will have any kind of swivels that you can think of. Just watch for where they are shipping from. Many of them come from over seas and can take a while to ship here.
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I am using 80 pound braid on my main line in my pontoon. My friend has the same line set up. We have caught over 40 Sturgeon with this set up and no cuts yet. I have found that with the pontoon they don't roll up the line. I have seen Cats do that and leave abrasions no cuts.
Ron
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I've caught thousands of fish and dozens over 8 ft and I always use 50 lb big game. The old timers who taught me said to stay away from braid for these reasons:
1. Expense
2. To hard to break when snagged and the left over rig in the hole will tie a fish to the bottom.
3. Cuts on the fish
4. Mono rots quick and helps protect the resource.
I don't know for sure, but old guys know stuff.
I've heard they may outlaw stainless steel hooks due to fish mortality. Anyone else heard that?
Tight lines
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PowerPro has also came out with a product called PowerPro Super Slick. It acts just like a braided line, but it feels just like mono. Next spool up, that is whats going on my rod.
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+1 on the mono. I use 50lb big game and have caught hundreds (not thousands yet [
]) of sturgeon with very few breaks (maybe 2-3 total and usually due to getting tied up on something on the bottom). The mono is more forgiving on the fish and I believe it does break down faster. Also never use stainless hooks. You definitely want the hook to rot out as quickly as possible if you do break off. My $0.02....
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I and my unlces have been using braid for over 10 years and I've only had one fish cut itself and that was whole salmon fishing in hells canyon with 30lb fireline (which by the way ive cut myself while thumbing fish) we fish 80-150 lb braid no problems, i don't like the feel of mono on the hook set but its a preference thing. the othe nice thin is the amount of line i can put on a reel. 3-500 yards depending on the reel. IT usually does not matter in idaho but every now and then a really pissed of 7-8 ft'er or a 10+ fish (of which i have caught 2 of in ID) comes along and having a tone of line becomes very beneficial
As fare as leader i use the braided nylon from western filament known as sturgeon braid, have caught a ton of fish with it love it.
I have heard that stainless steal hooks are a no go in idaho but i can't find anything in the regs about it
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