Are you bored with your ordinary fishing trip? Do you want to take your fishing experience to a whole new level? If that’s the case, you might want to consider catching sturgeon the next time you go fishing.
What’s So Special About Sturgeon?
Sturgeon is not just another fish that you can catch anywhere. It has been around for more than 240 million years and shares history with dinosaurs. It is one of the few prehistoric freshwater fish species that withstood the test of time.
No wonder it is considered one of the most popular game fish with a high commercial value, which is the very reason for its endangered status today. These are unique species of fish. They can grow to a significant length over 20 feet and are relatively stronger. That’s why you need a special set of fishing gear and some skills as well.
Given the lifespan of over 100 years, they mature much later in their lives. This pushes this rare primitive species to the verge of extinction due to overfishing and habitat destruction.
But thanks to the recent conservation efforts and restrictions on fishing, sturgeons are making it back to their habitats.
How to Catch Sturgeon?
The basics to catch sturgeon is the same as your other fish – waiting for them with bait where they are most likely to swim around. However, it is not an ordinary fish. You need to up your game before you can have fun catching giant sturgeon.
Right Place at the Right Time
The key to a great fishing trip lies in being in the right place at the right time. Therefore, start by identifying the most potential spot where you are most likely to run into sturgeon.
They are basically bottom feeders. They feed on anything that they can find on the bottom of the lake or river. Most of the time, they are found in the slow-moving pools and dark corners of the river during the day.
Target the deep pool area where the sturgeon sit and wait for food to fall in. A structure like rocks, jetties, pilings, or wing dams provide back eddies for easy food foraging with minimal effort.
The best time to go fishing is either in the morning or evening when the fish are more likely to be looking for food, thereby increasing the chances of taking the bait.
Get the Right Bait!
As mentioned earlier, sturgeon will eat anything from worms, bugs, snails, and leeches to dead fish and animals washed off to the bottom of the river.
They have a strong sense of smell. Therefore, the rule of thumb is to always set a fresher bait. In case you don’t have fresh bait, you can always try luring them with fish oils such as shad, shrimp, or sardine oil.
Gear Up for Sturgeon
If you are lucky, you may run into a fully grown sturgeon that can weigh over 2000 lbs. This is way beyond what your normal fishing gear can handle. Make sure that you have the right set of fishing gears to catch this beast. It’s going to be fun!
Rod and Reel
Sturgeon is one of the most popular game fish for a reason. It will make you go through a tough few minutes of the fight, and you do not want your fishing rod to break in between.
Therefore, you will need a heavy-duty rod and reel with a smooth drag that can withstand a few hundred pounds of load at the other end. When in doubt, always go for a heavier set of fishing rods.
Rigging
You want the bait to go to the bottom, where the sturgeon will be waiting. A bell sinker weighing up to twelve ounces does a good job in keeping the line steady even against a fast-flowing river current.
You can use a double-barrel swivel that allows you to change the sinker without having to rig it again. Connect it to a braid leader ranging from 12” to 18” that is tied to a hook.
Hook It Up!
You will need a rather big and heavy-duty hook to catch and hold such a large fish. Consider getting a hook from 5/0 to 8/0 size. You can always go for an octopus hook or a circle hook that sets itself to the catch.
Some state regulations may require the hook to be barbless.
Make sure that the hook is sharp enough to penetrate through a thick, slippery surface in the sturgeon’s mouth.
Caught in the Action
Underwater cameras can be a cool addition to your fishing gear. In addition to increasing your chances of getting a catch, you can capture the Sturgeon live in action. Worth the shot, pun intended!
To get the best out of the underwater fishing experience, get the camera that seamlessly integrates with the fishing line without scaring off the fish.
Think Like A Sturgeon
If you want to catch a sturgeon, think like one. Be ready for the real test of your patience. Unlike other species, it will not take up its bait and take off right away. This is where most of the sturgeon-fishers go wrong.
Sturgeons examine the bait before they decide to bite on it. They create a vacuum-like effect in their mouth to suck it up. If they do not like what’s on the hook, they will spit it out, and you won’t even feel a thing.
Therefore, look out for the little movements and respond to them immediately and set the hook right away. Set it hard and keep the line tight so that the sturgeon is hooked.
In this video, you can see what a sturgeon bit looks like fishing from a boat.
Got the Catch?
The sturgeon is hooked and pulling the line. Congratulations! You have got the big catch. But there’s more to the story.
Large sturgeon are incredibly strong, so much so that they can pull the fishing rod right out of your hands. If you are not careful enough, you may find yourself in the water along with the rod. You can play safe by using a fighting belt to stay in the boat or on the dock.
Keep the line tight to keep the fish hooked throughout the fight. Oftentimes, the fish will play hard and won’t give up easily. Rather than trying to pull up the fish right away, let it exhaust itself by allowing it to run around.
If the catch is big and heavy, you may need to use a larger net. Once the fish is on board, be very careful while handling it because the scutes are very sharp.
Unless you are fishing to take it home, the less you handle it, the better. You do not want to hurt the fish. Always have the hand tools like pliers standby to unhook the fish quickly. Be gentle. Keep your hands off the gills at all times.
Release it back to the water as quickly as possible. If you are ready for yet another action, you can always set the bait again. Oh, wait! Do not forget to take the photos.
Bon Appétit!
Yes, you can eat sturgeon if you want to. They are best known for their mild flavor and firm meat. However, you can take it to the kitchen if you are Gordon Ramsay!
Check out our article 7 Best Ways To Cook Sturgeon!
Final Words
If you are an avid fishing enthusiast looking for a totally new experience, sturgeon should be on the top of your list. This is not any ordinary fish that you catch every day. You need to rethink your fishing tactics if you want to catch sturgeon.
First, you need to gear up accordingly because the fish will give you some really tough fights. Invest in a strong, heavy-duty rod and reel, like a tuna fishing setup. Then you need to be in the right place at the right time. Last but not least, you need patience.
Sturgeon is one of the largest freshwater fish that have been swimming around since the prehistoric period. The fish itself is history. But this species is on the verge of extinction due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction.
Some species of sturgeon have already started to disappear. The largest sturgeon ever recorded was almost a couple of centuries ago, in 1827. It was a beluga female that weighed 3463 lb and measured 24 feet long. This is a rare occurrence today.
Better late than never, the conservation efforts are helping to restore the stock of sturgeon back in its habitat. Always check for the state and local fishing regulations before you go fishing so that you don’t run into any problems.
Generally, there are catch and release season, harvest season, and no fishing season, depending on the availability of the sturgeon. This is very important to consider because they mature much later, around the age of 15 years. You are allowed to catch it, but not at the cost of its life.
Sturgeon have been swimming around for millions of years, and it deserves to exist for a million more years in the future. Catching it can be a great fishing experience worth including on your bucket list. But you should respect its existence.
Having fun is important, but so is being responsible. Enjoy responsibly!
