China Camp Sturgeon Again!

 Myself and the famous Bird Man met at Loch Lomand for bait at 9am this morning. WE could be lazy today as the high tide wasnt until 12:30pm. We launched around 10 and drifted north a bit and set our hooks. Gabe met us at China Camp and he launched out of bullhead. He set his hook north of us a half mile. When the tide started to turn we decided that we would move to some fishy looking area that we paddled over on the way out. When the tide got going pretty good it was difficult to tell the bite because there was a fair amount of chop on the water. Holding the rod by hand was the only way to go today. I got two pumps that I missed I think due to being a little anxious. The thrid one I waited just a bit longer to let the tip load and fish on. It was small. Around 36 inches. That was at 2pm. We were to get off the water by 4:45 so we made the cut-off time 4:30pm. At 4:15 last call went out. I pinned on the 2 remaing frozen mud shrimp from Keiths and sat there. In just 5 minutes the tip started to pulse. Wait, wait, point the tip to the water and watch it load up, set hard, FISH ON! The coolest GD Hail Mary of my life. The sturgeon jumped and ran coming out of the water 20 ft in front of me. One long hot run and I pulled the string and we were off. This was a hot fish for its size and the brief glimpse I was afforded when it jumped made it look bigger. It ran back up current then down to the pier at CC. When it was spent the noose went on and the ball peen went to work. Unasissted snare job for those picky people. Thanks John and Gabe! I had a ball today. Exactly one year later than the 2 sturgeon I caught at the OAP last year. While others were at the ISE show again! Too wierd for words. One more thing, whoever made up the new point system, It blows my mind that a 13 inch crappie could outscore this fish. . I love NCKA and AOTY. I dont make the rules but I will try to follow them. Craig


PS 51 inches and around 42 pounds

Way to go. Seeing you with the Cossack hat, I thought maybe you went to the Caspian Sea for your dino. 

DAH! Oh yea I keep forgetting stuff. When we moved for the outgo Gabe drifted down and joined us. Tres pescaderos y amigos. Muchas gracias Gabe for all the energy.

NICE!!!  Now that looks fun.

Nice catches!  Thanks for the report and pictures Craig.

That's awesome Craig. WTG on the fatty sturgeon. I'm so stoke for you my friend.

Jedmo

Nice one, Craig! Does this mean you're done chasing sturgeon?
Yeah, the point system is going to make it interesting.

Nice work.  Congrats.   

Outstanding Craig! 

Thanks for a great day day Craig and Gabe, whole lotta fun. No wind but a bit bumpy on anchor. Skunk for me. Craig's hail mary was a classic and ended the day on an upbeat note - alot of whooping and hollering on the sleigh ride!

Congrats Craig - you da man!

   

Very Nice.....


 Now Go get that Angry Crappy .......  

Yeah Craig! Does a sturgeon fight similar to a leopard shark? See you soon.

good job! nothing like the bordom of the wait and then the chaos of the hookup!

joe they fight way harder then leps , there do circus like acts in the water too.gotta get you one man!

Very Nice.....


 Now Go get that Angry Crappy .......  

Don, Thats what I'm talkin' about baybay!

congrats craig !!  the fact that a 13in crappie would outscore that sturgeon is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard. W.T.F. ?