Non-Fly Got a Monster Sturgeon Today

[Breck]

Did a thing today. Keep me honest, but I estimate between 9 and ten feet and 400 - 500 lbs. The boat is 32’ and it was easily 1/3 the length of the boat. Once I finally landed it, we revived it and it slipped back into the depths. I imagine it’s likely as tired as I am. It was like pulling a Volkswagen off the bottom of the Columbia.

 

[Buzzy]

Did a thing today. Keep me honest, but I estimate between 9 and ten feet and 400 - 500 lbs. The boat is 32’ and it was easily 1/3 the length of the boat. Once I finally landed it, we revived it and it slipped back into the depths. I imagine it’s likely as tired as I am. It was like pulling a Volkswagen off the bottom of the Columbia.

View attachment 189045

But a Volkswagen that often jumps clear of the river. Amazing, or "Awesome" creatures, well done!

 

[clarkman]

Hell yeah!

not gonna lie, that just looks like work!

 

[Yard Sale]

What kind of bait do you use to catch a fish that can perform operations? I gotta imagine they are pretty smart.

 

[Breck]

But a Volkswagen that often jumps clear of the river. Amazing, or "Awesome" creatures, well done!

And it did just that, right after I set the hook. I think I can be quoted as saying “hoooooooly shit!!!”.

 

[Breck]

Hell yeah!

not gonna lie, that just looks like work!

Not gonna lie either. It stripped nearly 400’ of line on its first run. Halfway through the battle, I was like “fuck this. This sucks”. I saw it through though. I’m absolutely smoked. Gonna be sore tomorrow.

 

[Breck]

What kind of bait do you use to catch a fish that can perform operations? I gotta imagine they are pretty smart.

Would you believe me if I told you it took a sand shrimp? True story.

 

[Matt B]

Looks like an honestly big-azz fish to me! I’m into it. That’s a River Monster. So I guess Breck is basically Jeremy Wade.

What kind of bait do you use to catch a fish that can perform operations? I gotta imagine they are pretty smart.

 

[Sam Roffe]

Can’t say sturgeon fishing has been on my bucket list. I know, narrow minded. I would love to see 10 foot sturgeon clear the water in real life, rather than on YouTube.

 

[Evan B]

the bottom of the Columbia.

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SPOT BURNER

 

[Yard Sale]

Would you believe me if I told you it took a sand shrimp? True story.

Well, they do make quite a bit of money so I'm not too surprised they have a seafood heavy diet.

Teasing aside, I think I'd like to catch a sturgeon once. Once... My buddy used to catch them fairly regularly on a full salmon head with a 10/0 hook. They'd hook them off the sandbar then jump in a boat and chase them for like 45 minutes even with tuna type gear. I'd bet you are cooked!

 

[Breck]

SPOT BURNER

Nah. It’s no secret.

 

[Breck]

Can’t say sturgeon fishing has been on my bucket list. I know, narrow minded. I would love to see 10 foot sturgeon clear the water in real life, rather than on YouTube.

It was quite a spectacle, to be sure.

 

[Breck]

Well, they do make quite a bit of money so I'm not too surprised they have a seafood heavy diet.

Teasing aside, I think I'd like to catch a sturgeon once. Once... My buddy used to catch them fairly regularly on a full salmon head with a 10/0 hook. They'd hook them off the sandbar then jump in a boat and chase them for like 45 minutes even with tuna type gear. I'd bet you are cooked!

I finally figured out my typo. Fixed it.

 

[Evan B]

Nah. It’s no secret.

NOT ANYMORE

 

[Pink Nighty]

Not gonna lie either. It stripped nearly 400’ of line on its first run. Halfway through the battle, I was like “fuck this. This sucks”. I saw it through though. I’m absolutely smoked. Gonna be sore tomorrow.

I think the 100lb mark is a roughly the limit on what I could consider "fun," on any species. Huge fish and hour+ long fights are a slog for angler and fish.

My immediate impression at 19 after landing a marlin more than twice my substantial body weight? "Trout on a fly are just as fun and you can do it as many times as you want."

 

[Pink Nighty]

I think the 100lb mark is a roughly the limit on what I could consider "fun," on any species. Huge fish and hour+ long fights are a slog for angler and fish.

My immediate impression at 19 after landing a marlin more than twice my substantial body weight? "Trout on a fly are just as fun and you can do it as many times as you want."

Also, sweet fish man! I reread my post and don't want to detract from a dope fish, just commiserate about the suck factor of giants.

 

[Breck]

Also, sweet fish man! I reread my post and don't want to detract from a dope fish, just commiserate about the suck factor of giants.

I didn’t take it that way at all. You’re absolutely correct. I think my sturgeon fishing days are over. I’ve fished them in the past and caught quite a few big ones, but nothing compared to this fish. I’m chalking it up to a once in lifetimer. I don’t ever want to do that again. I fish because it’s fun. This was exciting, sure, but I wouldn’t call it “fun”.