Sturgeon

Finally something to report,

Decided not to go today, slept in, then changed my plans at the last minute and Wow.

I had planned to try off Pittsburg in deep water as I've heard that's the best spot for sturgeon at the moment, got everything ready last night and went to bed.  The alarm went off at 5:30 and well I guess I just don't suffer the madness cause I shut it off and went back to sleep.  Woke up at 7:30 thinkin about doing yard work before I go back to work tomorrow, Somehow though that just didn't seem right as I've been off 5 days without fishing a lick.  About 8:30 I figured I'd go but didn't want to fight the strong currents off Pittsburg so I headed for Sherman Island, maybe catch a striper and give a half hearted try for sturgeon.

Stopped by Gotcha Bait and got some nice ghosties and fresh shad and was paddling away from the launch about 10:15, as the pics show beautiful day.  Headed for deep water and ended up anchored about 100 yds up stream of bouy 10 in about 33 ft of water, got a couple of big ghosties out first on a sturgeon rig, then started to get the second pole rigged for some shad on a dropper loop rig.

Never even got the second pole in the water.

I see a tap tap, and take a swing, solid resistance but didn't feel big, I had a pretty loose drag and was still able to reel'em in, felt like a shaker sturgeon and was coming in with some fight but just not that much,

THEN, it decides to show me what I've got, the thing did a full on launch completely out of the water about 30 ft in front of the boat, that's when my hands started shaking and I realized that I indeed was alone and WTF was I gonna do with this fish.

It fought well for maybe 45 min then it was time for the snare, I had relaxed a little by then and especially when I saw that both hooks were sunk right thru the lip.  Took my time but if you've never snared a sturgeon all I can say is it's a humbling experience.

Finally decided he was in the slot and got one good whack on the head before it (Oh crap) slipped out of the snare and sank out of sight BUT it was a good head shot and it was done in. Reeled it back up, slid it up in my lap and gave it several more whacks for good measure.  

56"

Pic 1 A beautiful day
Pic 2 Bendo!!!
Pic 3 Here he comes
Pic 4 Got'em
Pic 5 The Pose
Pic 6 Proof it's mine.

AWESOME!!   way to go! so jealous.

Congratulations.........sounds like you and the sturgeon started out slow at getting going. Great shots of the action.

RIGHT ON AND WAY TO SCORE!  I'm trying to get some time to get out there and do the same thing.

Solo pics no less.  Heck of a job...post of the week!

Congratulations nice fish.

Nice Work!  Way to start the fever!  Making it look easy!

EK

  Beautiful fish.  Thanks for the  report.  Ryan "The walrus"

Nice!!!

 Beautiful spot...  where is that launch?????

Thats fantastic! That sure must have been a rush when it showed color. I would love to have a picture of your face when you first saw it. Looks like real nice water. Congratulations.

Nice Dino...never chased after them, but it sure sounds and looks like fun!

Congratulations.

Bryan

wow, great fish.  where is that launch, i was considering launching at big break this sat.

Oh yeah, Baby!  WTG, Dale - that's awesome!  And a great report and pics too. 

Solo pics no less.  Heck of a job...post of the week!

Agreed - that's good stuff.   

Another vote for Report of the Week! That is awesome Dale. Congrats!

Another vote for Report of the Week! That is awesome Dale. Congrats!

Ditto. SWEET bendo pic!!!