You're gonna need at least a 30# leader, and Dacron is fine. The pre-tied sturgeon leaders are fine and use dacron. Sturgeon aren't bothered by the bulky line. I grew up on Lower Columbia... back when you could land a couple dozen fish a day and wait for a high slot fish. Wrap your sand shrimp onto a big leader... and don't use mono. A limp line, like Dacron, is perfect. Abrasion is an issue, but only on your main line. When they roll your like is scraped across the rough skin and the bony protrusions on the skin. On smaller fish the bony protrusions are sharp, even hooked at times. The new braided lines are great for the main line.

Good luck.

You're gonna need at least a 30# leader, and Dacron is fine. The pre-tied sturgeon leaders are fine and use dacron. Sturgeon aren't bothered by the bulky line. I grew up on Lower Columbia... back when you could land a couple dozen fish a day and wait for a high slot fish. Wrap your sand shrimp onto a big leader... and don't use mono. A limp line, like Dacron, is perfect. Abrasion is an issue, but only on your main line. When they roll your like is scraped across the rough skin and the bony protrusions on the skin. On smaller fish the bony protrusions are sharp, even hooked at times. The new braided lines are great for the main line.

Good luck.

Thanks for the tips. I am getting some dacron for my next trip.

I would reccomend braided line...?

Where were you fishing? I've been wanting to try to hit that area for those for a while, I went once and caught a bunch of suckers. It'd be swell to have a fish on there. How much weight did you have to use to stay on bottom. Thanks for the report!

Definitely wanna fish some 80# dacron for a leader. I fish ~30" Dacron leaders, with barbless gamakatsu octopus hooks. Rig up a slider with a 3-5oz pyramid weight depending on tide, above the swivel. I've caught a few out of the lower snoho rigged like this on my salmon rod with 20lb main line. Works great! Good luck, and keep us updated! I've been focused on salmon lately, but hopefully soon I'll be back to chasing the dinosaurs!

I have to agree with blurock on the 80# dacron. Ive used 50# and lost fish. Once a sturgeon is hooked they like to roll is how Ive seen it. Best of luck and thanks for the report

Thanks for all the feedback Gents. I am gonna try to get back out there soon. I can't say how much of a blast I had fishing on the Columbia for the beasts with Dustin of Moondog guide service out of Kalama, 40 fish day with Chef Jake99 only one keeper, sore arms!

Do u guys's even know why u want dacron leaders! Not because of "busting" off fish when ur using 80# dacron leaders and 20# main...! Dacron leaders are used for 1 the sturgeons mouth/lips does not get cut open if need to be released. 2 dacron lays out nicely and naturaly when fished as to not spook the potential customer.

where were you fishing on th snoho? I have been out to langus park and never got anything. Trying to find a place on a bank...no boat. I use 18in of 50lb dacron leader with a 3 to 5 oz depending on tide with slider(so the weight dont spook the fish) thanks

I was fishing between Snohomish and Langus off of river road, a little bush wacking is well worth it.

@ pilchuck: I actually did know that, and it's why I use dacron. If I was worried about busting off fish, I'd be fishing a heavier main line. I never said anything about busting em off, just that dacron was the thing to use.