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+--- Thread: Solo sturgeon fishing Bonanza (/showthread.php?tid=1072256)
Solo sturgeon fishing Bonanza - BURLEY - 05-12-2019
After a early May get together with Liketrolling, Kentofnsl, TopH2O, and A-bow-nut and catching only 5 fish between the 2 boats, I was anxious to go again. The weather god saw fit to give calm winds for a few days this week. After not getting a response from a few invites, I decided that I would go it alone and try out some new heavy-duty rod holders, adjust side scanner, and a new anchor retrieval system. The anchor system is a line hauler made for retrieving lobster traps at up to 150 feet per minute. A potential back saver when pulling in 100-200 feet of rope several times a days.
The anchor system works on a capstan pulley which means it pulls rope by friction. The rope can be easily removed when not in use. It worked great and can be removed from the boat by removing 1 pin and the power plug.
Left home at 4am and on the water at 8:30. light breeze and blue skies greeted me, but the fish were not to be found. I spent the day fishing several spots that have produced good numbers in the past, but only 2 bites today. After 3pm I went back to the first place that I started the day. I marked several big ones and put out the anchor. At 4pm I had my first hookup; 48"er at about 33 lbs.. In the next 1 1/2 hours, I caught 7 sturgeon including a double hookup with a 54 &72"ers. fish caught were 48", 54", 72",48",72",84", & 80". About 667 lbs. according to the charts. I was sore and left for camp at C.J. Strike dam.
I planned on sleeping on an air mattress on the boat after catching a few crappies below the dam for the next days bait. Bad decision #1 on my part. Woke up at 4am with leg cramps that would last all day. Finished the night in the truck.
Day 2 starts at 8:30 with a 86"er, 9:05 a 66", 9:30 a 75", 9:40 and another hookup. I put the rod into one of my new HD rod holders while I reeled in the other rod. Bad decision #2. The fish instead of going to the bottom or downstream, it went upstream twisting the rod holder and breaking it off. As the $250 rod & reel go overboard, I'm grateful that I had secured the rods with a lanyard to the boat. I brought the rod back to the boat with the fish still on. It was a 68"er. Lesson learned: don't put down the rod that has the fish on it. Now I hook the rod into my harness/vest and wind in the other while keeping tension on the fish.
Fish #5 came at 11:00, 90". biggest of the trip. 11:30 a 61", 11:50 a 64", and at 12:20 fish #8 at 81". To keep track that was 8 fish in 4 hours. Wow! With legs still hurting and my back crying out in pain, I decide to call it quits and head home.
So in summary, I caught 7 fish on day 1 on Herring bait and 8 fish on day 2 all caught on cut crappie. For the 2 days, that's 15 fish 48"-90", totaling over 1635 lbs. according to the charts. No wonder that my back is still sore today. Don't try sleeping on boat or truck. Rod holders are for rods, not rods with big fish. Anchor puller will stay on boat for sturgeon fishing.
Here is the first fish of day 2, at 86". Awfully hard to take pictures while fighting fish this big.
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Re: [BURLEY] Solo sturgeon fishing Bonanza - Kent - 05-12-2019
[quote BURLEY]
After not getting a response from a few invites...
[/quote]
Yes it was a "few invites".[
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Re: [BURLEY] Solo sturgeon fishing Bonanza - a_bow_nut - 05-12-2019
That almost sounds more like work than fishing.
ALMOST.
Glad that you had a great trip and it was a pleasure to share the water with you guys on the earlier trip.
Now that I know that I don't have any hunts to worry about this fall I can concentrate on pulling in a few fish this summer.
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Re: [BURLEY] Solo sturgeon fishing Bonanza - liketrolling - 05-12-2019
you are the man, getting fish in taking pictures getting the anchor up have two on at the same time all by your self.
I have thought about doing that going alone go to the dam and fishing for crappie
it may not be to safe but it feels like you are so free sometimes being alone
I think I have your rain coat.
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Re: [liketrolling] Solo sturgeon fishing Bonanza - BURLEY - 05-12-2019
Not mine.
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Re: [BURLEY] Solo sturgeon fishing Bonanza - Drlewis43 - 05-12-2019
Wow that is a dream of mine. if you ever need a deck hand when you go I’m all in!! I have wanted to catch a sturgeon my whole life. I would happily pay for fuel in trade for the knowledge and invaluable learning experience!! I’m 30 and live in Smithfield but could meet you where ever is convenient. I hate to sound like a desperate begger but I really want to do this! Please let me know how I can earn your trust and get a opportunity to learn this type of fishing.
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