In my fishing career I’ve had the opportunity to hear a lot of stories from other fishermen about their experiences. They often talk about how “they got wrecked” or “that fish hit like a freight train”. Usually those superlatives are used to describe the fight with prime specimens of more common species. Salmon, steelhead, trout, muskie and others are common subjects. In a few special places like the Columbia River, those superlatives fade away and one species stands out. The White sturgeon (acipenser transmontanus) is the largest freshwater fish in all of North America. The sheer power and acrobatics of this fish are worthy of legends. These sturgeon fishing tips are designed to help you get started on your own enjoying these amazing fish. If you want to see how I put it all together in person, book a trip. I would be happy to have you on the boat with me!
Tackle Setups for Sturgeon Fishing
Sturgeon rigs are simple, but specific. A good sturgeon setup will keep the bait still until you are ready to set the hook. It will also be strong enough to not break or fray. Not only are sturgeon powerful, they also have sharp plates on their sides called “scutes”. When I have lost a sturgeon, it has been because it used an alligator style “death roll” and cut it.
What line and reel do I need for sturgeon fishing?
I use a reel with a lot of line capacity. Something than can hold 200 yards (600 feet) of 50 or 60 lb braid is a good choice. A 300 series line counter reel is generally what I use. A 400 or higher series reel will give you a bit more insurance. Big sturgeon regularly take out over 400 feet of line. The drag strength is a factor, but not as much as most people think. Any force you use against a fish is also being used on your arms. Try holding a 20 lb weight at chest height for a half hour and you’ll understand what I mean. The line counter is helpful since it lets you measure how far away from the boat your bait is. Sturgeon, like cattle, will clump up in an area of their “pasture”. Where you find one, you will often find more.
What rod do I need for sturgeon fishing?
For a rod, I like to use something with a lot of backbone and a soft tip. Despite their size, the sturgeon bite is soft and cautious, making the soft tip necessary for detection. I usually look for an extra heavy backbone in about 6 1/2 to 7 feet. The good news is that a good sturgeon rod will also double as a good halibut or bottom fishing rod. For those of us near the coast, this allows for multitasking what can be a fairly expensive piece of equipment. If you’re in a pinch and have a surf rod laying around, they can well too.
I have used my 360 salmon trolling rods for Sturgeon. Their soft tips were perfect for detecting a sturgeon bite. When it came time to get fish to the boat, they struggled though. The medium-heavy to heavy backbones struggled against larger fish. It was a way to guarantee a longer fight.
How much weight do I use?
The first thing to think about is the weight. I put a slider on the mainline that clips to a pyramid weight. This allows the line to move without picking up the weight and tipping off the sturgeon that something is up.The amount of lead depends on the current but I generally start at 6 oz and move upwards. 20 oz of lead is not out of the question if you are upstream in heavy current. In the estuary I usually max out at 10 ounces. I use heavy sliders like the X2 Fishing anti-twist line locks. These, along with similar products from VIP and Shortbus were designed for the heavy weights used in 360 trolling. The laws of physics are not kind when a half pound or more of lead goes flying. The old school “tube style” sliders have not held up for me.
What kind of leader should i use for sturgeon fishing?
A good sturgeon fishing tip is to use about 4 feet of 65 lb Dacron line for a leader. Sturgeon hunt by using scent and feel, not their eyes. You want something supple, abrasion resistant, and strong. Dacron fits the bill perfectly for this. The extra length allows the bait to settle naturally on the bottom and reduces movement. I use a bait loop to connect the hook, although a standard Snell knot will also work. A few companies like Brad’s sell pre-tied leaders. I generally find them to be too short. If you use these, make sure you include a bit of an extra bumper to add more length.
What hooks do I use for sturgeon fishing?
Sturgeon mouths are built like baseball gloves so you want a large, sharp hook. I prefer Gamakatsu Big River Bait Hooks in either 5/0 or 6/0 size. Single point barbless hooks are required in our sturgeon fishery, and you only get one of them per ODFW regulations. These hooks have a bit of a bend at the bottom rather than a round arc. That bend helps the barbless hook stay in place. I replace or sharpen my hooks frequently and rarely does a hook last for more than a trip or two. I save them for lingcod fishing though.
What bait do I use for sturgeon fishing?
Fishermen often have their favorite bait when it comes to Columbia River Sturgeon Fishing. One person will “swear by” smelt while another will tell you that smelt is overrated and it’s all about shad. Another will tell you that they’re both wrong and you need sand shrimp. Even more will trumpet the virtues of herring and anchovies. stuffing a squid mantle with a mix of different baits is also popular. Some will come up with modern art sculptures of mixed baits covered with scents and gels.
The age old adage of “match the hatch” applies here. Sturgeon feeding on tidal flats will prefer sand shrimp. They smell like the shrimp and small invertebrates that they are feeding on naturally. They also put out a lot of scent. Sturgeon feeding further up tend to munch on shad, smelt, and other bait fish that wash into their areas. Those baits also work down in the estuary but are less effective. While many of these baits are available frozen, the sturgeon seem to prefer fresh bait better. I always get a hold of my local bait shop a couple of days ahead of time. Near Astoria this usually means Big Game Fishing in Hammond. Having the right bait is the most important sturgeon fishing tip.
Rigging the Bait
I usually run the hook through the bait to hold it in place. I also use the bait loop for extra security. Half hitches on the line will hold the rest of the bait to the leader. This makes for a smoother presentation and helps things hold together when you cast it. The bait should be attached to the first four to six inches of line. This is about the size of a green label herring. I usually pre-bait several leaders before each sturgeon fishing trip and have them ready in the cooler. I also like to keep 2 spares ready to go for a quick swap after we get bit.
Hooking a Columbia River Sturgeon
For such a large fish, sturgeon have a subtle bite. They will suck in and spit out the bait multiple times before swallowing it. This is the hardest part of sturgeon fishing and where having a good sturgeon fishing guide can help. When you see the bite start, pick the rod up from the holder without pulling on the line. When you feel the fish pull, set the hook like you’re trying to pull it out of the water. A good rod will flex and then simply stop in mid swing as you feel the weight of the fish. At this point you would be forgiven for thinking you’d hooked a city bus. Keep pressure on the line and start reeling. Sturgeon have tough mouths so you are unlikely to pull the hook. This is also when you usually see fish jump out of the water. There’s nothing like seeing 400 lbs of fish suddenly go completely airborne.
Getting One to the Boat (or bank)
White sturgeon are more commonly known for the tug of war tactics familiar to Goliath Grouper. Giant fish often stubbornly cling to the bottom in the Snake and the Fraser. In the shallows of the Lower Columbia, these prehistoric leviathans have developed a different approach to fighting. Borrowing heavily from their salmon and steelhead neighbors, these fish are tactical and aerial masters. Huge runs, circles around the boat, tail walking, and massive leaps into the air are all part of their arsenal. This behavior puts them right next to Tarpon in my fish hall of fame.
Especially if you’re fishing on your own, make sure everything is out of the way ahead of time. This means stowing any tackle, gear, backpacks, coats, or more. At some point you will need to move quickly from one side of the boat to the other. Additionally, barbless hooks have a chance to pop out if given slack. Anyone giving you sturgeon fishing tips should tell you to keep the line tight! Finally, have your anchor line rigged with a buoy. This will let you disconnect to chase a fish without having to raise the anchor. Particularly for a large fish, you may need to cover some distance.
Where I like to fish for Sturgeon
Outside of the estuary, White sturgeon stake out areas where dead or injured fish and other debris collect. This is generally deep water where there are eddies. Large boulders, deep areas with humps on the bottom, and sloughs are all good choices. I also look for spots that help me keep the boat steady and reduce bait movement. Current coming from a consistent direction helps. Being out of wind or chop helps even more.
Estuary Sturgeon like it shallow
In the estuary, sturgeon primarily feed off of small shrimp and other creatures that live on the mud flats. They move up on the flats during high tide and into nearby pools and troughs during low tide. It’s not uncommon to catch a 6 foot long fish in water that is 3 feet deep. When I am fishing with multiple people on the boat, spreading the bait out is a good tactic. Seams along the edges of eddies and slack water are particularly productive. I prefer to cast the lines at least 80 feet from the boat. Depending on water conditions, weather, and whether mercury is in retrograde, the sturgeon will feed in different spots.
What to expect when fishing for Sturgeon near Astoria
Estuary sturgeon fishing is very tide and wind dependent. If the tide and wind are right, I do not have to go far at all before I start fishing. If a spot doesn’t start producing in about 20-30 minutes it’s time to move. Once you get on the fish, the action is some of the best around. It is not uncommon to have double hookups with fish weaving over and under each other’s lines. At this point I usually spend more time reeling in fish than waiting for them to bite. This sort of action is what makes sturgeon fishing one of the most exciting opportunities in the Astoria area.
Sturgeon Fishing Guide’s Pro Tip – When they’re too big for pictures
One final thing to note, we are prohibited from taking a sturgeon more than 54 inches out of the water. It’s hard on us and even harder on the fish. I generally do my best to make sure that my clients get a great photo opportunity. This may mean leaning over the side of the boat if the fish is too big. If waders are brought and there’s a good spot nearby I will move carefully to shore. This is definitely a good problem to have!