I know this board is about salmon and steelhead but also know that a lot of you guys fish sturgon in the columbia. I have been fishing them over here and was thinking about heading over your way and giving them a shot. I have a new 21 ft northwest jet and all the gear "I think" things may be different over there... Just wondering if any of you can come off subject and give me some idea of where to go and how its done. I am not really intrested in keeping any and would like to target the larger fish for some catch and release. Right now I have 2 8ft ugly sticks with penn 320's loaded with 60 lb big game. I have caught a few and just feel like a road trip is in order. As always, thanks in advance for any info on this "new to me" type of fishing.

I am not a big time sturgon fisher but many of my friends are. They all tell me that right below the bonniville dam is the place to fish for the big boys. The 60# sounds low to me my friend all use 80# dacron. Sorry I can not give you any launch sites but there are many. Look for the other boats fish real deep this is what I hear. Good luck

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dank

I can elaborate on this: Under Bonniville to maybe about two miles down is your best bet. Around Beacon rock is really popular. Look for the deep spots and anchor above them. Backbounce your bait back into the holes. When the Shad move in the fishen gets good. May to Augest is best. All the guide boats will show you the best holes. So the first day is uasaully a learner. Catch the fresh Shad in the morning and move to the Sturgy's after you have a few baits. The launches are the Fishery on the Oregon side and Beacon rock State park on the Wash side. You will need up to 84 oz weights up here as the currents are strong. You probably already have the anchor system but unless you have the big 4 prong you probably wont hold under the dam, Youll probably be down by Beacon rock before you get a good solid anchorage. Both the Fishery and Skamania store can help with anything else...Also Braids and super lines are a must. 60 lb Mono wont cut it...Ive personally landed many of these monsters and I know It would be way to much strain on the fish if you use a light 60lb Mono! Plus they could drag you through other peoples anchors if you cant control them. Ive landed my biggest 2 years ago in Aug. 12.5 feet 550 to 600 estimated weight. It took 1.75 hours and went through all of us numeorous times. We were done after that! And it was only 1:00p.m. If ya need more dont hesitate to ask.

Bob D

Thanks guys for the info. Would like to ask you a little bit more about this. The 60 lb mono has worked well on the fish I have caught over here, biggest being just under 6 ft long. I can see how that would be way to light for the fish you are describing. How about the penn 320's ??? Which line do you recommend. Also, I do have a large 4 prong anchor, but have been told that my anchor rope is way short for the columbia. How long should it be ???

BobD- If you were intrested I would like to take you out when we go. Always pays to have someone around who knows whats going on and sounds like you have pretty much seen it all.
I see that we have the same type jobs by trade so could probably get along fine. The boat has plenty of room and is well set up. I'll pay for the gas and whatevers in exchange for your knowledge. Thanks again.

B-RUN

B-run...Your anchor rope should be 3X as long as it is deep. This is a pretty good rule of thumb. If you want to fish lower on the river(estuary) email me and I'll give ya the locations and tech. for that area. Don't fish Bonn. myself but we killem on the lower river....

At the fishery we've been able to get away with 300' of anchor rope. Fresh shad is best, you can catch them below bonneville. Fishing for sturgeon upstream of beacon rock closes during the spawning season, don't have the exact dates. I normally catch shad in the willamette, don't know exactly where's best on the columbia. This is hard water and you'll be using heavy lead to keep the shad on the bottom, hook out of the head and half hitches to the back of the body. Cut off the tail fin and operculum to reduce drag and keep bait on bottom. Bob is right, the guide boats will show you where's best, but don't be afraid to do a little exploring, as long as you stay outside the shipping channel.

To elaborate a little more on the Mono! Ive never caught a Sturgy shorter than 7 feet! I would use at least 80 lb tuff line or eq. Theses fish are true MONSTERS!!! They will tear you up and spit you out if your under geared. I personally think your 320's are ok but you'll probably need new drags after the trip. Reel of choice seems to be 340's, 345's and TLD's in reg and two speed. Rods have to be stand up style tuna sticks. I have laid back on the engine cover with feet on gunnels and pulled as hard as I possibly could with both thumbs locked on the spool and Im 6-3 300lbs and I couldent hold it or break the line. This is the kind of pressure required to tire out these fish in a humane way and not put too much stress on them. They are spawning! Small fish seems to be 6.5 to 7 feet at least 150lbs. But weve caught many in the 10 foot 400 lb range. I personally think you wont catch a fish under 7 feet! Depending on the run. Last year was a good big fish year...So you must be ready for anything. Our rule of thumb...if you dont see it within 1 hour break it cause you will probably never see it.

B-run, give me a date and Ill let ya know. I head to Canada to fish alot in the Summer so let me know and Ill se how my schedule is.

Also we use 300 feet of anchor line. Boats have been sucked under up by the dam usaully because the anchor rode is too short.

Bob D.

I have caught many sturgeon, but no monsters. Mainly fish "other" rivers. But Bob has it right. BIG STOUT rods, reels, and Tuff Line Plus. Any of the Spectra lines will work. The anchor rope should be at least three times longer than deeper. The best anchor set up is a break away with a large bouy so you can get back to it. If you carry nothing else carry a SHARP serrated knife like a Spyderco or Benchmade. If the rope gets hooked by a log or the boat starts going under, that knife will cut through rope fast.The best bait for monsters is shad by far as everyone has said. Keepers seem to like smelt or sandshrimp. I use spawn wrap to keep trash fish from pecking the bait off too fast. Also use very sharp hooks. I use Gami 7/0 barbless. The leader should be heavy dacron. Most of this you probably know but just in case I thought I would put it out for others too. BTW, my first sturgeon was a keeper caught on 15 pound mono and a 10 foot surf rod. THAT was a blast, but next trip was up to 30 pound mono. This was from the bank on the Chehalis. Good luck and welcome to the world of "DAMN, That fish is HUGE".

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Just because I look big, dumb, and ugly, doesn't mean I am. It means I can stomp you for calling me it!

Thanks to all for the info. I guess that I have sort of taken up sturgon fishing for a few reasons. I started out my fishing life as a do or die fly fisherman. That was cool for about 6 or 8 years and then I screwed up and started fly fishing for steelhead. Then I really screwed up and caught a few.. Then it was years of steelhead fishing and nothing else would do, That has taken me to some pretty remote locations and will always be what I live for ( I also found along the way that a fly rod was just one way to catch a steelhead ) The family is growing up and I needed to spend more of my fishing time with them and other people around me so I am trying to branch out and try some other stuff that is geared toward that end. Its a kick to take some one who does not fish much and hook a sturgon.. it just blows their mind when that thing comes to the back of the boat.. hell and we have only caught them around 5-6 ft long !!!! Steelhead are what I live for and that won't change but its been fun looking around !!!

P.S- I went and got my rods re-rigged as suggested and am greatfull for that info.

I bet you could have a ball using a fly rod for smaller sturgeon. But here in WA, you must use bait. But I bet a good sink tip, a snad shrimp, and some clear water in the lower Columbia could be great. The sturgeon are caught in less then ten feet of water along the sand bars. I have heard of people sight fishing them. Hmmm, I may try that myself.

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Just because I look big, dumb, and ugly, doesn't mean I am. It means I can stomp you for calling me it!