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Kory, Barry and I just returned from a two-day sturgeon trip. It was supposed to be a three-day trip, but Mother Nature decided two days was long enough (too windy today to safely launch). It was another great trip with 21 sturgeon landed with Newby Barry landing the largest one at only 7'8" long (approximately 43 years old and around 259 pounds). First time I have broken fishing rod while landing a sturgeon.
The rod that broke was a Ugly Stik Tiger Lite, rated for 6'3" long, and rated for 50 to 100 lb Braided Line. I still managed to land the beast and it was only 6 1/2' long. Hopefully, they will replace it for free.
[inline P6110176.JPG]
Great outing and fun fishing companions. Can't wait to do it again and I don't have to wait long.
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"...the largest one at only 7'8" long (approximately 43 years old and around 259 pounds)."
Minus the age this sounds more like an NBA center than a fishing report!!!
Sorry to hear about your rod, but at least the reason was "the fish was too big" instead of..."accidentally slammed it in the truck door.'
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[#0000FF]You sure are tough on tackle. At least the fish you chase sure are.
Guess I better hurry up with that guide replacement on your other rod.
[/#0000FF]
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Thanks for the invite and great trip. I've never fished for anything quite like sturgeon and this trip was truly memorable. You and Kory instructed me well.
I took way fewer than I should have, but here are a couple of pics. The first pic was of the first one Kory caught the first day, which was amazing in the moment but was dwarfed by many fish later on. The next were of Kent impressing us by catching a fish on his ice fishing rod, the next 2 were of my battle with the biggun, and the last was one I took the next day of a "mere" 6 1/2 footer with an especially plump midsection at the moment she was turned back. Great memories!
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What is the PVC hook/gaff in the second to last picture? Some sort of tool for bringing the fish alongside the boat?
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[quote gaardvark]
What is the PVC hook/gaff in the second to last picture? Some sort of tool for bringing the fish alongside the boat?
[/quote]
Yes, it is a landing-tool that I made out of PVC to gently and quickly bring the sturgeon alongside the boat to measure and release.
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If you are going to try and put a ferrule on that rod, send me a PM, I may have some large ones still, will have to look !! These are aluminum, anodized gold, so should match the blank color pretty close !!
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Thanks for your generosity, but I have only had that rod for a few months and the Ugly Stik folks should replace it for free. Also, I don't believe I want to try to fight a sturgeon with a rod that has already been broken and repaired.
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Rod companies can be fickle, so let me know if they don't do right by you !!!
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Hi Kent,
Glad you had another good trip. Did the new navigation instructions for the channel serve you well? I guess you stayed at the same motel?
When are you headed up again?
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[quote luckybob]
Did the new navigation instructions for the channel serve you well?
[/quote]
Yes, that was a tremendous help. We came back, on Friday, with the wind blowing and I was sure glad that I had a good idea of where to cross that bay.
[quote luckybob]
I guess you stayed at the same motel?
[/quote]
Yep, the one with the cracked sink patched with duct tape.[cool]
[quote luckybob]
When are you headed up again?
[/quote]
PM sent.
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Great fishing with you guys. Barry sure did well for being a newbie at sturgeon fishing. I'll try to post some videos later on after I have some time to get to them as I'd assume they are too big for BFT. I think the broken rod is one of those highlights we will talk about for some time. The other one is fighting the same fish on two different rods back to back.
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[quote Ktrout] I think the broken rod is one of those highlights we will talk about for some time. The other one is fighting the same fish on two different rods back to back.[/quote]
Yeah, I forgot to mention the "2 for 1". That was pretty amazing as well and it almost cost us a second rod. Which sturgeon is in the first pic?
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