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Just got back from my first sturgeon trip of the year. Rob, Chris and I didn't do great, but considering the weather, and how early in the year it was we did Ok. Here are the vital statistics:
53 inches 44 pounds
60 inches 63 pounds
72 inches 110 pounds
73 inches 116 pounds
74 inches 120 pounds
78 inches 141 pounds
79 inches 148 pounds
80 inches 152 pounds
A pigeon decided to dive bomb us and scored a direct hit on my arm! Gave Rob and Chris a good laugh but I could have done without it. Have you ever seen someone with fear on their face as they are yanked across the boat by a large fish? I have, and because he lived to fish another day it was pretty funny afterwards. Chris hooked a sturgeon and he had his drag too tight. As he flew past me I saw a look of horror on his face. Only damage was a nick in his shin as he hit the stearn of the boat. He was fortunate it was only a 6 footer, or some of you may have been able to reply, "At least he died doing something that he enjoyed."
Didn't get my eight footer -- so I guess that I will have to go back.
Here is a picture of Chris with his 80 incher:
[inline Chris80incher.jpg]
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From the look of things you guys had a pretty nice trip. Still amazing how big those fish are!
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Great report Kent and that pose is much more impressive than the "along the side of the boat pose". Thanks for sharing.
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[cool][#0000ff]I made a quick round trip to Idaho yesterday, in rain all the way. I was wondering how your trip was. Glad you were able to score enough to consider it worthwhile.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The "Snake Ness" monster still awaits you.[/#0000ff]
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Nice report, I don't think I can say nice fish because them things are so ugly looking in the first place. looks like you guys had some fun. later chuck
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nice report and great picture. thanks for sharing
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Kent you are the sturgeon master! The wipers may avoid you but the sturgeons more than make up for them.[  ]
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Man your makin me jealous! I haven't been able to get back to idaho since 2003 and i am miserable. I love fishing for and catching sturgeon. I fished around Hagerman mostly but sometimes near Bliss and King hill. I never made it up to Hells Canyon but that is where the bigguns are! My best was a clean 9'er that took almost 2 hours to land with 2 of us trading off! One day we will have to hook up and make a trip up there somewhere. I take it you are near Mt. Home some where? How was the river?
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Yep, we were around Mountain Home. The river was a little more stained than I am used to, but it had come down substantially from what it has been. The high water removed a lot of the sea weeds, which was a great help. I will send you a PM.
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Were you above or below C.J. Strike? I spent two different tours stationed at Mt. Home A.F.B. back in the late 60's and early 70's. I lived in Grandview for several years and use to Fish those critters once in awhile. They are a hoot, we usually fished below the turbines at night from shore. I never landed anything larger then 75 inches, but we tied into larger ones that would head towards the bridge and spool you. There weren't many people that fished for them in those days, so you pretty much had it to yourself. That was a nice picture of the fish, who said they are ugly. I think they are unique especially the first time you touch one and feel the texture of the skin. Great report and send some more with pictures when you go back.[  ]
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We had one for certain that would have spooled us without having a boat, and perhaps a couple others. It takes some time to get four rods reeled in, one anchor raised (if the wind is blowing) and to toss the other anchor. Even a bigger challenge if the wind is blowing the boat upriver into the anchor that is tossed.
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Like i was telling Kent in a pm, i have caught sturgeon up to 9' in the snake river. That fish took myself(14 years old), and my best friend(33 years old and fairly built) 2 hours to land and it was worth every sweat filled, heart pounding, arm wrecking minute of it! You haven't "fought" a fish till you have caught one of these monsters. I took some friends a few years ago that were 90 pound twins and they hooked a 6'er that almost pulled them(both) into the river. If anyone gets a chance to catch them, jump on it!
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Nice report Kent!...here is the part I like the best: "Didn't get my 8 footer--so I guess that I will have to go back"...I know how much you dislike Sturgeon fishing, so I really feel sorry for you that you "have" to go back! (I'll bet you can't wait!)
Randy
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I used to N.ot have E.nough T.ime O.ff to go fishing. Then I retired. Now I have less time than I had before. Sheesh.
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[ ] Hey TD,
I would bet that if you hooked into one of them bruisers while in your tube, He could get you up on a plane to Ski. Hooked on an 8 second ride!
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[cool][#0000ff]Been there, done that. Got one 115# from a float tube on the Sacramento River, on a piece of sardine while fishing for stripers from my tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Kinda cheated though. After being pulled a mile down the river, from where I hooked up, I worked over to a protected sandbar, got out of the tube and rassled it to shore while standing up.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Never did get up on plane though, although that ugly bugger did jump clear out of the water a couple of times. I was wondering if it jumped just to get a good look at me and to decide whether or not it could take me.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The problem with fighting any big fish from a tube is that you do not have a firm and stable platform. You can't get enough "lift" to really move heavy fish. If you have your drag hammered down on heavy tackle, a large fish can pull you over into the water. You have to maintain an angle on the fish and pull them sideways to whup 'em. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Same for big cats. It can take a lot longer to get a big cat to the top if you stay on top of them. But, if you keep some distance and an angle on them, it don't take as long.[/#0000ff]
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What more can I say Kent other than,, Way ta
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Great pic Kent! Sounds like a raging success of a trip to me.
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Thanks Kent for another fun trip. I had a great time. Chris, it was nice to get to know you.
Happy Fishing!!!
Rob
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Looks like a great time Kent! Would love to see more pics! I was up in Idaho, Swan Valley, on the Snake river below Pali  es Reservoir with some friends a the same time. Weather was bad most of the time. I didn't have nearly the success you did. Congrats! Great post.
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