Sturgeon 9/9-9/11

[BURLEY]

Well my trip wasn't as great as Kent's and my post is late, but I did manage a personal best. Cousin Gene from Ark. joined me for the 3 day trip. It was his third time to chase them. The first day started slow with no bites until mid afternoon. Gene was having zero luck with only one bite. I managed to land 3 smaller ones measuring 48", 64", and 70" with a couple missed bites.
At 5pm my rod almost jumped out of the rod holder as the rod bent over and line screamed from the reel. Setting the hook was unnecessary but I hit him hard anyway. Gene grumbled as he began to cleared the other rods and rear anchor, but he was too slow and the fish braided two of the other lines before leaping into the air. I saw that he was huge one and a great fight was on. This was in the same area that a large one had broken my rod last year and this could be the same one. Time for me to get some revenge perhaps. After unweaving the other lines from mine, the battle continued with yet another leap into the air. Several time he would roll and unroll making me think that I had lost him, only to strip more line and head for the bottom.
After 30 minutes I had all but about 70 feet of line back on the reel when a notice a 2 foot section of my line was badly frayed where he drug it across a rock. I loosened the drag a couple clicks for which he quickly took advantage of and peeled of another several yard of line. Twice I got the frayed area back on the reel just to have him remove it again. Once again I had the damaged line on the reel and managed to get him up to the boat along side the measuring pole. Gene grabbed his mouth as I loosened the drag and set the rod in the holder. I reached for the Sheppard's stick to pull his tail up for a measurement. As soon as I touched his tail, he twisted out of Gene's hand and dove for the bottom with the hook still attached. Once again I grabbed the rod, increased the drag as much as I dared and fought him for another 5 minutes before he was truly tired out as was I. We got him up to the measuring pole and he was an even 8 foot long. This was my personal best and came with a great fight.
He was the last fish of the day. Day two gave me a 72"er and Gene 2 more bites. Poor Gene offered to buy my rod that all the fish were taken on, but no deal was made. Day 3 was windy, so we went up to Glenn's Ferry to look around for new places to fish. We ended the day with 4 squawfish was all.
Not as good of a trip as Kent had later in the week, but it was a great one for me.
PS. Gene did catch 2 squawfish, so he didn't get skunked. He had hopes of duplicating his two back to back 7 footers from the last trip we made in June.

No pictures were made.
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[Kent]

[quote BURLEY]

Several time he would roll and unroll making me think that I had lost him, only to strip more line and head for the bottom.

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It is one sick feeling when they do that, but exciting when one realizes they are still hooked. Also, great fun when they head at full speed straight towards the boat, only to continue under the boat and jump on the other side of the boat. We had fish do both.
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[SkunkedAgain]

Boy you guys make that sound like fun... I was up in Burley about the same time picking up a swather, how far from there do you guys fish? Thanks for the report.. J
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[N.E.T.O.]

That is an exciting story to read! I feel bad for your cousin Gene, but we've all been there! When you are the one having a good day, just enjoy it because one day you will be the one not getting bites I've found out!

Coincidentally Kent, Nate and myself had a discussion about frayed line.

As you know, this 100lb line that we use is very expensive. If you get a fray mid-spool do you replace the whole spool, or just tie the line together and carry on?

After doing way more research than I probably should have, I've come to the conclusion (purely based on what I have READ) that a properly tied uni-to-uni (blood) knot is likely just as strong if not stronger than the main line. Case in point, I rarely (if ever) have had a breakoff at any of my knots, it's usually in the leader, but sometimes on the main line itself (likely due to an unseen fray, or a fray that has been caused during a fight).

I have yet to test that theory as I've never fought a sturgeon with a known splice between me and the fish. I do have a reel with a known splice in it, and although it is a spare reel, I don't think I would hesitate to put it into service even knowing the splice/knot is there.

What is your opinion and what are you going to do to repair your frayed line?

Thanks in advance! and nice report!

Randy
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[BURLEY]

We fished about 50 miles south of Boise on the Snake River. Sworn not to give exact location under penalty of death from Kent.[] I did stop to shore fish near Glenn's Ferry. Didn't catch any, but did see a couple surface that looked to be about 6 feet long.
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[BURLEY]

I use the same 100 lb. powerpro line that Kent uses. I haven't had to deal with splices yet. Since the fray was only 70 feet away for the hook, I just cut it off. It didn't make any difference on the reel casting due to it holding 350yds.. That being said, if I had to splice, I would try to put it deep on the reel by unspooling and spooling back on backwards. My best choice would be to replace the line at $50 for 300 yd. spool. After all, we are chasing a fish of a lifetime. I carry spare line on the boat. I tested the frayed line when I got home and it broke at 22 lb. pull. I have been setting my drags at about 17 lb. pull but they get moved while on the boat.
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[Kent]

[quote BURLEY]

I have been setting my drags at about 17 lb. pull but they get moved while on the boat.

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I'm impressed I just use the "feels about right" method to set my drag and as a result I am never consistent. What do you use to set it at 17 lb pull?
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[Kent]

[quote BURLEY]

Sworn not to give exact location under penalty of death from Kent.[]

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Thanks for remembering and encouraging that I put so much fear in you and hopefully the others I have dragged up there.[]
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[BURLEY]

I just have a simple digital fish scale. While out on the boat, if I change it, I just go by the feel of the spool as I turn it by hand and hope it feels the same as when I set it at home.
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[BURLEY]

Kent, to be a little more specific. I mount the rod at a 45 degree angle, pull out about 40 feet of line, and starting with a light drag setting I increase it until the scale shows the drag releases where I want it.
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