Anyone willing to share a solid sturgeon rig setup?

2016-01-14T19:27:05-05:00

I am very new to fishing, and live in the Pacific Northwest (if anyone wants to get together face-to-face that's great, too!) and just recently bought an Ugly Stick Bigwater pole and a Shimano reel. I'm looking for rig setup ideas for bank fishing for any size sturgeon. I'm also interested in steelhead and salmon fishing, which I've never done. I don't have enough disposable income to hire a guide, and I've looked all over the internet and a lot of it seems to expect that I have some kind of fishing foundation, and I don't. If nothing else, just give me a hard time for posting a such a stupid, researchable question (believe me, I have looked, and I'm more at home with veterans).

Stephen Gerard

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jan 14 at 2016 8:40 PM

2016-01-14T20:40:29-05:00

I can give you suggestions on steelhead and salmon.
For around $160. You can get a decent pole and real setup.
I use an Okuma sst rod with a pflueger purist reel.
Local shops can set your reel up with a backer line then braided line. I use 14lbs braid.
I use fluoracarbon leader, ranging between 2 ft for cloudier water up to 8 feet for crystal clear water.
Number 12 treble or a number 6 single hook, corkies or wobble glo just above hook, barrel swivel at other end of the line, set a snap swivel on the braided line to attach the sinker to (allow to slide on the line), tie the other end of the barrel swivel to the braided line.
The local bait shops can point you to what colors the steelies are biting.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jan 14 at 2016 8:53 PM

2016-01-14T20:53:56-05:00

Hit the local streams in watch how the locals drift down the river watch the pattern in which they cast, so you don't just jump in and tangle lines.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Jan 14 at 2016 8:54 PM

2016-01-14T20:54:24-05:00

Your gonna want waders also

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 5:50 PM

2016-01-23T17:50:41-05:00

Fished sturgeon last march in Portland. Get some heavy braid line (50lb) Look up how to attach it to the reel. its tricky for newbies. Then add about 6-10ft of heavy florocarbon leader. 50lb should do it. The leader wont chaff through as quickly when it hits rocks or a sturgeons rough scales. I use a swievel to attach em. Slide a bank sinker onto the leader (3oz) is what i used. Heavier if the water is really moving. Tie on a nice big circle hook. Get your pickled herring or whatever sturgeon eat on there. Cast out to some deeper water and crack open a cold one!