Sturgeon presentation

I would love to hook into a sturgeon from my kayak. So far I have only managed a small one. I figure I should think about my bait presentation. When using night crawlers I go with 3 on the hook with garlic scent. For eel I cut the eel length wise and cut that into 4 inch pieces. With roe I fill the hook and wrap with mesh or elastic twine. I have also used sturgeon frenzy scent. I don't use any extra weight near the hook. For the people that have caught sturgeon, what has worked for you?

Time. And when the time is done, do a little more.

Where you fish I don't think that the additional weight is necessary.

I always like somehting that is both stinky and alive on my hook. If I fish eel, I thread a nightcrawler first. I think Rob is right....time.

Time. And when the time is done, do a little more.

I'm ok with the time part. I would hate to spend two or three years trying, only to find out I was making a critical mistake with my presentation. Too much or too little bait, bait not on the bottom etc. Once you do some catching it's easier to have confidence in what you're doing. Till then I want to do what I can to not hurt my chances. 

Where you fish I don't think that the additional weight is necessary.

I always like somehting that is both stinky and alive on my hook. If I fish eel, I thread a nightcrawler first. I think Rob is right....time.

I may try some new places. What conditions require extra weight?

I should also say, even though I know you turn your FF off, I haven't convinced myself to turn mine off. I am under the impression that the commercial boats use theirs to locate fish. Anyone have success catching sturgeon with the FF on?

Where you fish I don't think that the additional weight is necessary.

I always like somehting that is both stinky and alive on my hook. If I fish eel, I thread a nightcrawler first. I think Rob is right....time.

I may try some new places. What conditions require extra weight?

I should also say, even though I know you turn your FF off, I haven't convinced myself to turn mine off. I am under the impression that the commercial boats use theirs to locate fish. Anyone have success catching sturgeon with the FF on?

I don't know if any conditions REQUIRE an extra weight, but I know a few guys who use it in high flows and big bait.

I use my FF to locate sturgeon, then I anchor upstream from them and turn off my FF 

When I fish for Sturgeon from shore in the Sac River I do not use extra weight. Never have. High flow or lower flow times alike. High flow meaning top of the levee flows. I do use 90lb wire leader though and I am sure it helps weight it down. I doubt where you are fishing you need extra weight.

When I fish for Sturgeon from shore in the Sac River I do not use extra weight. Never have. High flow or lower flow times alike. High flow meaning top of the levee flows. I do use 90lb wire leader though and I am sure it helps weight it down. I doubt where you are fishing you need extra weight.

But do you catch them?

When I fish for Sturgeon from shore in the Sac River I do not use extra weight. Never have. High flow or lower flow times alike. High flow meaning top of the levee flows. I do use 90lb wire leader though and I am sure it helps weight it down. I doubt where you are fishing you need extra weight.

Thought wire leaders were illegal now? I only use heavy mono 80-100# or Dacron for my leaders depending on what bait I use.

Yes I catch them and wire is NOT illegal.

About the extra weight near the hook issue ... just remember that a weight greater than 1/2oz. any closer than 18" from the hook is illegal.

How long of a leader are you using ? Maybe others can share, but in my experience, shorter is better especially if you're concerned that your bait isn't staying on the bottom in the current. I know alot of successful sturgeon anglers that don't ever go any longer than two feet.

As far as nighcrawlers, they seem to work best right after the first few rains of the year when the rivers are really muddy and rolling along at a good pace. As the water clears and slows, they tend to go back to preferring shrimp, or eel, or pile worms.

And no, wire leaders are not illegal. There's was a proposed change a few years ago when the single, barbless went into effect but they took out the wire leader ban.

About the extra weight near the hook issue ... just remember that a weight greater than 1/2oz. any closer than 18" from the hook is illegal.

How long of a leader are you using ? Maybe others can share, but in my experience, shorter is better especially if you're concerned that your bait isn't staying on the bottom in the current. I know alot of successful sturgeon anglers that don't ever go any longer than two feet.

As far as nighcrawlers, they seem to work best right after the first few rains of the year when the rivers are really muddy and rolling along at a good pace. As the water clears and slows, they tend to go back to preferring shrimp, or eel, or pile worms.

And no, wire leaders are not illegal. There's was a proposed change a few years ago when the single, barbless went into effect but they took out the wire leader ban.

I'm using a standard store bought wire leader.

Time. And when the time is done, do a little more.

What he said
I'd concentrate more on my location and the tides than my bait presentation.
They're feeding in muddy water with zero visibility so keeping scent trail going is probably more important. 
But don't get me wrong using the right bait is very important too.
Good luck

My favorite bait is Ghost Shrimp, however my best luck has been with Grass Shrimp.

Used to be long ago I'd try and get big grass shrimp and thread them on the hook in a more or less natural fashion.

Then one day (a very Hot sturgeon day) I was fishing with 2 buddies, two of us were using the "natural" presentation, the third guy was just cramming as many shrimp as he could get on the hook sideways.  He out fished us, 3 keepers for him as well as a few undersize, the other guy caught one, I don't remember even
getting a tap that day.

Ever since I cram that hook full.

Seem to have better luck with a leader in the 2 ft range than anything longer.  60# mono leader, 30# braid main, just enough weight to keep it on the bottom, the light (30#) braid really cuts down on the drag of the current on the line and I can usually get away with as little a 2-3 oz.  A couple times when I was using a 36+" leader I put a twist on weight up close to the bait but don't know if it made any difference, with the shorter leader I never felt the need.

I don't have enough time OTW to be much of an advisor but I feel like I do better with a nice flow vs a really rippin flow from a major tide change.

I use a 40lb nylon coated wire leader, about 2' or more  with a barbless 6/0 circle hook.  Load up the hook with ghost shrimp/night crawlers and anchovies. Haven't caught one this year yet but have put lots of time on water and from shore. They have been caught plenty after the rain at the pump house . But getting out that distance. I wouldn't want to do on my own. Closest spot I think I could launch from is mcnears or Loch Lomond . They're more active on the outgoing tide in that area.

Started pumpin ghost shrimp at bodega since bait is starting to be expensive. And u need lots of it.