Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Hook Set on March 15, 2007, 04:27:44 PM

Title: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 15, 2007, 04:27:44 PM
Well I want to start sturgeon fishing this year and I have a few questions. I was wondering when does the sturgeon fishing start to get good and what should i use to target them? Also is there any good spots where I have a chance to get into a few from shore because I do not have a boat. I bought a rod but I do not have a reel yet so I  was also wondering what you would suggest for a sturdy reel that will not be to much $$$.

Any help is appreciated
Hook Set
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Big Steel on March 15, 2007, 05:02:10 PM
i use a penn 321gti left hand retrieve spooled w/80lb. tuff line. sturgeon fishing is good all year long, if you can brave the elements. there are lots of spots along the fraser to fish from the shore. try the mouth of the stave and cast from the upstream side, super deep hole there.pm me and maybe i'll take you to one of my holes,fishing hole that is.
                                                                                                            nik
Berry's has that reel, right and left handed for $129.99 right now.  I was thinking about getting one myself. ;)
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: CAPTAIN BONK on March 15, 2007, 05:09:16 PM
THE EULIGAN RUN WILL BE HERE IN APRIL, THATS WHEN U WANNA HIT THE RIVER, AS FOR SPOTS FROM SHORE, UR GONNA HAVE TO DO SOME WALKING AROUND TO FIND A GOOD SPOT AS ITS LIMITED, I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 2 SPOTS THAT I CAN FISH FROM SHORE WHEN A BOAT IS NOT AVAILABLE, WHERE ABOUTS R U LOCATED ? I CAN GET U A PENN 320 GT2 FOR $ 129
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 15, 2007, 05:15:11 PM
Captain Bonk-I am located in coquitlam. And nik ill be in touch in the next little while, I may just have to take you up on that. But first I have to get all the gear. :)
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 15, 2007, 08:16:38 PM
Captain Bonk is the reel you were talking about new or used?
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: CAPTAIN BONK on March 15, 2007, 08:30:38 PM
BRAND NEW IN THE BOX
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: CAPTAIN BONK on March 16, 2007, 12:11:12 AM
IM NOT THE GOVERNMENT, THOSE BASTARDS ALWAYS TAKE THEIR SHARE!
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: BigFisher on March 16, 2007, 01:36:44 AM
I also want to get into sturgeon fishing, but not to sure on how to get started. Last year I bought a nice 300 dollar sturgeon reel,  I have this short thick rod that i picked up at a garage sale that I think might work. Hoping there are some good chilliwack spots that someone could lead me to, and whats an average day fishing for sturgeon like, are they picky?
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Sam Salmon on March 16, 2007, 09:21:47 AM
There's an opportunity here for someone to do a Seminar on bank fishing for Sturgeon in the Fraser.

STS Guiding does one for boat fishing but there's a large group of fishermen who just need a small start-2 here on this thread alone and I've seen many references to this question in the past.

A few nights writing/producing up course material choose a location and a time put up some notices in cyberspace/tackle shops and you're good to go.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: firstlight on March 16, 2007, 03:54:05 PM
I think the 320 Penn is too small for Sturgeon.
You want the 330 Model.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 16, 2007, 07:37:01 PM
Thanks for the input guys. So I hear the euligan run is soon. How do I fish these and is there anywhere near coquitlam or around there that I can have a chance at catching a dino. ;D
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 16, 2007, 09:27:07 PM
Ok thanks for that info fisherforever
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 17, 2007, 12:10:52 PM
My dad is thinking about maybe going out this week. But we were wondering with the all the rivers running brown and flowing into the fraser and making it high and brown does this effect sturgeon fishing? Or do they still just feed like normal relying on their smell? Also is the fishing even good yet?
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 17, 2007, 12:40:23 PM
Ok thanks Nuggy. Ya I guess I should just get out there and figure it all out for myself ;D Thanks for the help everybody. :)
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: DionJL on March 17, 2007, 01:46:23 PM
There's an opportunity here for someone to do a Seminar on bank fishing for Sturgeon in the Fraser.

STS Guiding does one for boat fishing but there's a large group of fishermen who just need a small start-2 here on this thread alone and I've seen many references to this question in the past.

A few nights writing/producing up course material choose a location and a time put up some notices in cyberspace/tackle shops and you're good to go.

Riverside Fly & Tackle did a  sturgeon fishing course last year. After a few hours of showing people how to rig up and the basics everyone was taken out on the water to apply their knowledge. IF there is interest i'm sure they would do anyother this year.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: allwaysfishin on March 17, 2007, 06:10:35 PM
320 penn is plenty big enough for sturgies and no so big of a handful when it comes to casting. I was using one for a while and it was fine.... landed a few fish in the 6... 6.5 ft range from shore. I now use an Okuma Catalina ct30 and a trophy xl sturgeon special.... a sweet rig and it altogether cost me under 300. Those Quantum big cats are tough rods too..... I was going that route but got a deal from a buddy on my trophy rod.

Capt Bonk is right... we can do the penn 320... or any other penn for that matter ... at or better than the best price in town

cheers
Thomas
steveston marine fishing dept, vancouver.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on March 17, 2007, 07:46:07 PM
My dad is thinking about maybe going out this week. But we were wondering with the all the rivers running brown and flowing into the fraser and making it high and brown does this effect sturgeon fishing? Or do they still just feed like normal relying on their smell? Also is the fishing even good yet?

The color of the river does not affect sturgeon fishing.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 18, 2007, 04:54:28 PM
OK thank you again everyone for the info an help.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: firstlight on March 18, 2007, 08:38:04 PM
The 320 may be big enough for small Sturgeon but not a big enough reel for real Sturgeon imo.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: legend on March 18, 2007, 11:24:36 PM
The 320 is all you need I have hooked and landed lots over 6 feet with mine never had a malfunction there a great deal. Caught this one with my 320 .                                                                                                                                                                                                                   (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/legend_013/82sturgeon-1.jpg)
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 19, 2007, 10:53:15 AM
Lots of input on the two reels. I am torn between which one to get now :D  Guess I'll just have to do some research.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: firstlight on March 19, 2007, 11:22:14 AM
Dont be torn.
The 330 is the right reel.
You can catch Chinook on an Ambassadeur 5000 also but how long will it last.

I have never seen any serious Sturgeon fishers with anything less than a 330.
You might want to ask the pros what they use and ill guarantee none are running 320,s

Just pick up the phone and ask a couple shops what there thoughts are on this.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: CAPTAIN BONK on March 19, 2007, 11:29:10 AM
IF UR A YOUNG BUCK AND JUST STARTING OUT ID SUGGEST A 320, IT'S A LITTLE SMALLER AND EASIER TO HANDLE, I MYSELF FISH WITH A PENN 309, I'VE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS NOW AND I HAVEN'T HAD A SINGLE PROBLEM WITH IT, DON'T GET ME WRONG THE 330 IS THE ULTIMATE STURGEON REEL, BUT LIKE I SAID B4 IF YOUR JUST STARTING OUT GO WITH THE PENN 320 !
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: THE_ROE_SLINGER on March 19, 2007, 12:35:07 PM
I may have to invest in a sturgeon setup myself!
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: legend on March 19, 2007, 02:39:18 PM
I had the 330 found it to bulky took it back got the 320 bullet proof so far and it gets used allot over 100 times a season.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on March 19, 2007, 02:52:11 PM
I have 3 Penn 330's I would never use anything smaller. Its not like you are casting all day. Last year I got into a monster and it took out almost all my line, I had about 50 yards left, if that. I needed all that line that the reel could hold untill I could get the anchor pulled and chase the bad boy. If I had the 320 it would have spooled me and gone in seconds.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Big Steel on March 19, 2007, 03:00:23 PM
what are the other options out there for people that need left handed reels? ;)  I would get the 330 but I use a lefty reel, so what I can get is limited.  I would try and use my buggared up left shoulder to hold the rod, but I would have to switch off to my right hand anyways,  makes reeling in a right handed reel difficult when you have a rod in that hand. :D
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on March 19, 2007, 03:15:26 PM
Does the TLD come in a left handed model?
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Big Steel on March 19, 2007, 03:20:34 PM
Does the TLD come in a left handed model?
Nope.  ??? Just called about that one. 
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: legend on March 19, 2007, 04:37:08 PM
How much more line do you think the 330 holds? A quick release on your anchor and start chasing is the answer not the 330 and you do allot of casting if your in a productive area as your checking your bait allot. But there is no difference  casting the 320 or the 330. The 320 holds 320 yds of 20 lb the 330 holds 350 yds of 30 lb gear ratio on the 320 is 4.3 - 1 the 330 is 3.6 - 1 there both great reels having less line makes it more exciting and more of a challenge i have been spooled before it sucks as the line aint cheap. I pearsonally like the 320 better how many 8 plus footers are you going to hook in a life time ?
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: DionJL on March 19, 2007, 04:50:24 PM
In my opinion the only reason to buy the 321 if for the left hand ability. If there was a 331 i'd have it.

IF YOU ARE RIGHT HANDED BUY THE 330.

the price difference is minimal and you will never ever have a problem with it. The 320 is capable of doing the job but if your fishing from shore you want the most line possible and the 321 is a little shallow for my liking.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: Hook Set on March 19, 2007, 04:56:25 PM
OK thanks for all your replies. :) Definitely some mixed opinions out there. I have done some research and talking to people and right now I'm leaning towards the 330. It is good to have the extra line and the confidence in the reel if you do get the big one.  :) Thanks again for all the help.
Title: Re: New sturgeon fisher
Post by: chum dad on March 19, 2007, 09:56:07 PM
I use the Penn 321 and so far no complaints, i have heard that these cast better from shore than the 330. If they had a left in the 330 i think i would have bought it over the 321 just for the added line capacity. Hubs sports in Abby had the best price ($109.00).