» Catfish & Sturgeon Most often the sturgeon will investigate the bait by swimming over it taking a … Baits; red worms, cutbait, maggot, peas. Stick to quality hooks like you say you have. Not sure if this a bug or not but I've tried to catch Sturgeon many times using a lot of different baits and hook. » Fishing by Species But I have yet to lose one I have hooked. 4 oz no roll sinker and 30 lb braid. The Sturgeon would just ignore the bait, I tested this more than 4 hours, even changing rod and line doesn't work. One thing I dont think gets talked about enough with hooks is the relationship between bait size and hook size. I was just curious on everyone else’s thoughts. As mentioned above, a rod with a sensitive tip is recommended. Just wondering what everyone’s preferred brand and hook is for sturgeon. I guided in AK for almost 20 years. IDO Hooks; Setup; Rod. I have tried longer leaders but I seem to do well with the shorter leaders. You can catch 30″ sturgeon on 10/0 hooks and a 1/2 LB of bait…. I never caught a single Sturgeon and I'm at level 10. For this reason I think saying you use any given size hook means squat unless you say what you’re putting on it. Also this year we pulled more hooks than we have in the past. Baits; red worms, cutbait, maggot, peas. I've used #1, #2 and #3 hook, even treble hook #3. © Valve Corporation. Now try fishing with the head of a medium to large sucker on that same hook and your hookups may suffer. What’s working/not working as we go into Fall? I know some guys will only use 3/0. Also this year we pulled more hooks than we have in the past. SE ND. I have no concerns tearing lips. list and start with #4/0 or #5/0 and move up to #7/0 as you catch bigger fish. With that big of fish in that heavy of current something’s got to give- usually a lip or busted line. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. We will use some 6/0 as well. I got a 65 incher last week that had started to straighten out a 5/0 team catfish hook. Is Wisconsin a better state for walleyes? I use 5/0 to 10/0 Gammie hooks. I have not caught that many sturgeons. The Sturgeon would just ignore the bait, I tested this more than 4 hours, even changing rod and line doesn't work. Tackle and Equipment. These also work fine, especially if the anglers like to hold the rod and sense the bite by keeping the line between the thumb and index finger. All trademarks are property of their respective owners in the US and other countries. I have used mono and braid and have not noticed a difference only less leader fouling with mono. I wasn’t up this year- but after talking with many people who were I would say that the experience of more fish popping off for so many this year is just higher than normal current. But some anglers prefer heavy-action rods. I was amazed when my friends and I cut open a dead 53″ Sturgeon we found on the Croix that had several 10+” shad in its gut… Could go on for hours about this topic. Crawlers are more forgiving than many baits, and 3 whole crawlers on a 3/0 hook is a nice match. Posts: 187. You will want to use a soft tipped rod so that you can detect the subtle bites that sturgeon produce. Not many people around here are equipped with a quick detatch anchor bouy to drift and fight a fish and then come back and clip to your bouy (essentially saving your spot) but I think a lot more fish would be landed if it were used. For the most part we use 5/0 Gamis or 5/0 Team Catfish hooks. We used 5/0 circle hooks on premade sturgeon rigs we purchased up in Baudette. For a circle hook to work right most of the gap needs to be open more open than with a j hook and this somewhat limits what you can reasonably hang off a given size hook. When choosing your rod it is important to pay attention to the tip. Use small or large cut bait + float. Stillwater "Boomsite" public boat launch? Just wondering what everyone’s preferred brand and hook is for sturgeon. Not to say anybody else on this thread is right or wrong, I just think we are leaving a key piece out of the discussion. I know some guys will only use 3/0. Sturgeons have tough mouths. Another thing I would add is that mono or even flouro leader seem to reduce fouling around the swivel, even if the sturgeon doesnt care that you bothered to use it. XX Mag Heavy to the hilt and their lips will hold. We typically run 80 or 100 lb PP or 832 for the mainline and leader. i usually run gami 6/0-8/0 circles and 80lbs mono as a leader or just my main line which is 80 superline. We always seem to be questioning if we are doing something wrong if the fishing is a little tougher. Them little hooks also do not have the gap needed to wrap around a big fish lip so results vary in that case. Several pumps are probably in order. A big pull means to set the hook hard. They often “Taste” or “Mouth” baits giving a similar tap tap as a sturgeon would…But if they haven’t eaten it yet, reeling down like you might on a sturgeon will yield a poor hook-up percentage for channel cats…again, not sturgeon. We had some success, but very new to targeting sturgeon. You also want the tip to be soft so that the fish can't feel the resistance during the bite. I stopped using 2/0 gammies years ago when there was a good fish on and the hook bent straight out. » Fishing Forums Learn how to tie sturgeon leaders the right way! My main setup for sturgeon is 80 lb power pro for the main line with a sliding rig for weight to be clipped on with a bead and swivel. New In-Depth Outdoors TV episodes return this Fall, Sundays at 8 a.m. on the Fox Sports North channel! With circle hooks I think you need to pick your hook based on what you want to put on it for bait more than on what you hope to catch. Español - Latinoamérica (Spanish - Latin America). All rights reserved. Lake Koshkonong & Rock River 2020 Fall Fishing Reports, Thinking about a gps unit for wheelers handle bars, Selling House – FSBO, Flat Fee, low cost realtors. » Forums Of all these species i’d use a J hook except channel cats; and those i let run and self/hook set. Go the 4th hook on the inv. I've used #1, #2 and #3 hook, even treble hook #3. I use 80lb suffix, most the guys I fish with run 100lb PP. I never caught a single Sturgeon and I'm at level 10. A big hook plus a big bait increases your odds of getting that big bite. » Community For the most part we use 5/0 Gamis or 5/0 Team Catfish hooks. 7/0 is on the large side but sometimes I try it out. I sometimes crimp connections in 50# or heavier mono because I find it easier than knots in the heavy lines. i dont think sturgeons are leader shy at all. Now, you start running then little hooks with worms you might be fooled by some carp thinking they are sturgeon. Goes into detail on why we tie them the way we do, and why we use the hooks and leader material that we use.