Sturgeon on sat 1-22?

Looks like in 2 weeks the tides will be perfect for sturgeon again in san pablo.  They might be done with the south bay herring buisness by then and back in the sturgeon triangle in force!

Looks like someone's got Sturgeon Fever!!!  

I can't blame ya!

I'll be with you in spirit... too close to my wife's due date to go fishing... looks like I'll be on lockdown for a while... hopefully I can get out for one or two more trips in late February / March.

Erik

Guess I'll have to make my own fish-whacker then.  

I would be game for sure. My schedule should be returning to normal by then.  I need to pick up an anchor rig as well so hopefully 2 weeks will be enough time to get that done.  

I'd suggest a 10lb mushroom anchor.  It'll do the job, no matter the current.  Lots of guys have had trouble with 'kayak anchors' because they aren't made for the ripping currents we have in san pablo bay.  Mushroom anchors are also cheaper than folding kayak anchors...

Just say when. In the meantime, i'll be sliding a 5 lbs weight atop my kayak anchor to hold it down.

I used a 3# folding anchor with a 2# nut and it was overkill.  I think just the anchor would have been fine.  The guys that were drifting had just weights, or tiny anchors with weights.

I'm in  

Ok guys after sitting through 2 Sturgeon seminars and rigging my anchor up this weekend I am pumped for this!!! What time are we meeting you and where is the launch?

I got an "Off-the-Board" report that SP Bay and North Bay are producing Dino's this past weekend. Combined w/ the Chronicles weekly report, indicates that there should be some action this weekend.

I'll be bringing some new friends from PFiC and my board so the more the merrier.

Bill, any new developments in Jurassic techniques that we should be aware of?

One thing I learned is that one one agrees on all the finer points. One guy liked steel leaders, the other hated them. One guy said wait until the second pump the other said don't wait. However you want to strike as it is going down, 1st or 2nd does not matter as long as it is going down.

Don't mix baits on a 2 hook rig unless it is herring filet and herring roe or mix whatever you want.

Tides are not as important as people make them out to be but a bigger swing makes it more likely you will catch fish.

The best tip I heard was that if you are using roe (salmon or herring) put it in a womens stocking (the toe part). That will keep the bait stealers from grabbing it.

Yeah... I thought it was funny too how Keith Fraser and Erik Anfinson had different views on some of those finer points...

I tend to split the difference.  I'm with Anfinson on the leader thing... I like heavy (60 or 80#) Mono for a leader... no crimps to come loose and plenty strong.

I'm with Fraser on the hook setting thing.  Since, on a yak, I'm always holding my rod... I always take a swing without hesitation when it feels like something is tugging on my line.  No hesitating...

As far as mixing bait... you almost can't go wrong mixing grass and ghost shrimp on a 2-hook rig... though I tend to side with ghost shrimp because they last longer on the hook.

Bottom line, I guess, is to stick with whatever works for you.

The best potential tip I took away was to fish the far upper shallows of upper San Pablo bay during the incoming tide... this might be worth a try on those days when the outgo isn't extreme or when you can't fish the prime time of the outgoing tide.  Might be worth launching at Black Point or Sonoma Creek and paddle out into the shallows in a few feet of water and get stealthy on em.  

Of course... I'm pipe-dreaming now... I'll be lucky if I get one or two more chances at em this year... I'll be drooling with anticipation to read your reports, so make em good. Seriously, make stuff up if you have to.... I'm living vicariously through all of you for the next couple of months.

Erik

If you're holding the rod, you'll catch twice as many fish.  I set the hook on the first tug.  If he's tugging, it's in his mouth, that's all you need.

Make sure the hook points are proud of the shrimp too.  Shrimp are sharp buggers, so it shouldn't bug the sturgeon and will help with the hookset.

I use this rubber magic thread stuff to hogtie my shrimp, it helps alot to make a perfect and durable bait.

Looks like High is at 11am.  I think we should all get there around 10am. And, Low is at 7pm.   But we should start heading back around 4 or 4:30pm.

Hope the winds stay down.

Ken

 at Buck's Bar! Don't forget your TALL tales and your cash, because at Buck's the don't take American Express!