Couple new sturgeon rigs

[Rennich98]

After some research I decided to tie up a couple new rigs for sturgeon this year in hopes to increase my season record of a whopping 1... http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/Rennich98/2FC7DB07-E2DC-4614-AFD0-395EC80EFA7D_zpsvpyy3i8l.jpg (http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/Rennich98/media/2FC7DB07-E2DC-4614-AFD0-395EC80EFA7D_zpsvpyy3i8l.jpg.html) http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/Rennich98/DA1E5389-F87C-477A-9D08-B32BEE35F001_zps86dfd15l.jpg (http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/Rennich98/media/DA1E5389-F87C-477A-9D08-B32BEE35F001_zps86dfd15l.jpg.html) http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/Rennich98/423D06BB-0B7E-4A73-B9E3-8E75D2FF1412_zpsa8njxhqk.jpg (http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/Rennich98/media/423D06BB-0B7E-4A73-B9E3-8E75D2FF1412_zpsa8njxhqk.jpg.html)

[WayneChristie]

After some research I decided to tie up a couple new rigs for sturgeon this year in hopes to increase my season record of a whopping 1... http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/Rennich98/2FC7DB07-E2DC-4614-AFD0-395EC80EFA7D_zpsvpyy3i8l.jpg (http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/Rennich98/media/2FC7DB07-E2DC-4614-AFD0-395EC80EFA7D_zpsvpyy3i8l.jpg.html) http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/Rennich98/DA1E5389-F87C-477A-9D08-B32BEE35F001_zps86dfd15l.jpg (http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/Rennich98/media/DA1E5389-F87C-477A-9D08-B32BEE35F001_zps86dfd15l.jpg.html) http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/Rennich98/423D06BB-0B7E-4A73-B9E3-8E75D2FF1412_zpsa8njxhqk.jpg (http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/Rennich98/media/423D06BB-0B7E-4A73-B9E3-8E75D2FF1412_zpsa8njxhqk.jpg.html)

just a word of advice, those cheap snaps will cost you a big fish. and if you absolutely have to use a pickeral rig tie the weight on with lighter line so it will break off if it gets snagged

[The Fisherman Guy]

Good idea trying something new if your current system isn't working.

I would skip the spinner blade though. Sturgeon aren't predators, they are scavengers. To get them to bite, you want to bring them in with scent, not visual or audible triggers. Keeping your bait still on bottom is critical, a spinner blade will have it flying around - good for Walleye, Goldeye, Mooneye, Sauger etc - but not the best for Sturgeon.

Agreed with Wayne, use high test gear, with the current and strength of Sturgeon, you don't want to lose one when you get it on the line!

To tie your hooks, try using an Egg Loop knot to your hook, instead of a Palomar or Improved clinch. It holds great, and leverages the hook better into the tough mouth of a Sturgeon on hookset.

Good luck and tight lines

[Vigsy]

or if you want try a snell knot i find it gives improved hooksets and ive yet to have one fail!


http://www.animatedknots.com/snell/index.php?Categ=fishing

[The Fisherman Guy]

or if you want try a snell knot i find it gives improved hooksets and ive yet to have one fail!



Check out the Egg Loop knot Vigsy, it's basically an easier to tie, stronger snell knot.

http://www.animatedknots.com/eggloop/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

[WayneChristie]

Check out the Egg Loop knot Vigsy, it's basically an easier to tie, stronger snell knot.

http://www.animatedknots.com/eggloop/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

Too fancy for hillbillies and cold hands. The Wayne knot has never failed me yet including over 500 dinos. :bad_boys_20:

[EZM]

Good idea trying something new if your current system isn't working.

I would skip the spinner blade though. Sturgeon aren't predators, they are scavengers. To get them to bite, you want to bring them in with scent, not visual or audible triggers. Keeping your bait still on bottom is critical, a spinner blade will have it flying around - good for Walleye, Goldeye, Mooneye, Sauger etc - but not the best for Sturgeon.



I agree, in general, but also have used something similar using a floating spin n' glow and corkies (in line floats like those in a lindy rig) to get your bait just up above bottom when there is thick mud and or weed cover with some success.

Sturgeon are definitely bottom feeders and scavengers. That is understood and without debate, but there is one set up that produces fish when traditional presentations are not working .....

50-65lb mainline (braid) thread a bead, large egg sinker (or clevis and pyramid sinker) and a couple more beads before terminating the main line with a extra heavy swivel snap.

To the swivel snap, I tie up a heavy 4/0 to 6/0 circle hook with a snell knot on 40lb monofilament and thread on a floating bead, corkie, bead, spin n glow set up, and another floating bead and tie it to the swivel. The total length of the mono rig is anywhere from 24"-40" or so.

Pack the hook with your bait - I like dew worms with a nice shot of air through a bait/worm syringe to give it added buoyancy.

Keep in mind, the sinker stays firmly on the bottom and the "tail" of the presentation (with hook, bait and beads/spinner) are largely neutrally buoyant and the current keeps it very close to the bottom and it seems to "bounce along" maybe being lifted a few inches at most, but the turbulence the spin n' glow creates does, in fact, get some sturgeon to locate the bait and take the bait.

Trust me - I thought it was weird too, knowing sturgeon are bottom feeding scavengers and not "pursuit or ambush" predators ..... but it was pretty hard to argue the fact when fishing was slow, and the first guy went to the set up (and others switched over) the bite started to pick up quite dramatically. The remaining lines (traditionally rigged) were dead.

It's worth having one tied up in the tackle box ready to go on those dead days - a couple hour soak with the new set up is worth a try.

[clarki]

just want to point out that 3 1 Oz. weights is not the same as 1 3 Oz. weight. Use 1 heavy weight. down here in the Olman I use 2-4 Oz. pyramid sinkers depending on the current. have to make sure your bait stays in 1 spot. also i would recommend using just a single hook. a 4/0 or 5/0 octopus hook is the way to go


M

[The Fisherman Guy]

I agree, in general, but also have used something similar using a floating spin n' glow and corkies (in line floats like those in a lindy rig) to get your bait just up above bottom when there is thick mud and or weed cover with some success.

Sturgeon are definitely bottom feeders and scavengers. That is understood and without debate, but there is one set up that produces fish when traditional presentations are not working .....

50-65lb mainline (braid) thread a bead, large egg sinker (or clevis and pyramid sinker) and a couple more beads before terminating the main line with a extra heavy swivel snap.

To the swivel snap, I tie up a heavy 4/0 to 6/0 circle hook with a snell knot on 40lb monofilament and thread on a floating bead, corkie, bead, spin n glow set up, and another floating bead and tie it to the swivel. The total length of the mono rig is anywhere from 24"-40" or so.

Pack the hook with your bait - I like dew worms with a nice shot of air through a bait/worm syringe to give it added buoyancy.

Keep in mind, the sinker stays firmly on the bottom and the "tail" of the presentation (with hook, bait and beads/spinner) are largely neutrally buoyant and the current keeps it very close to the bottom and it seems to "bounce along" maybe being lifted a few inches at most, but the turbulence the spin n' glow creates does, in fact, get some sturgeon to locate the bait and take the bait.

Trust me - I thought it was weird too, knowing sturgeon are bottom feeding scavengers and not "pursuit or ambush" predators ..... but it was pretty hard to argue the fact when fishing was slow, and the first guy went to the set up (and others switched over) the bite started to pick up quite dramatically. The remaining lines (traditionally rigged) were dead.

It's worth having one tied up in the tackle box ready to go on those dead days - a couple hour soak with the new set up is worth a try.

Very interesting to know EZM, I am keen to try it out this year. Any new tactic to motivate sluggish Sturgeon is worth trying. Thanks for sharing a new technique, I will definitely give it a shot.