Pasco area Sturgeon Fishing on the Columbia

[Xwisconyfisherman]

Hey guys reaching out for a little help here. Planning a trip to go after some Sturgeon the middle of April down by the Pasco/Yakima yacht club area. My big question is what is the current like down this way? I'm wondering what size of lead I should be using? I was guessing around 8 oz cannon balls? Any advice as far as areas to fish/bait and set ups would also be great but i understand if you want to keep that stuff to yourself. I would just really like to know how much lead a guy needs to stay on the bottom. My game plan was to use 6-8 once cannon balls on a sliding swivel with a foot and a half leader with squid.

[fishaholictaz]

I would think you are fine with that set up on that stretch... Might get away with 6 oz. depending on the spot.

[Xwisconyfisherman]

Fishaholictaz, Thanks for the advice I wasnt sure how much more current there would be with with the spring melt off.

[aaron42ash]

As you know, my opinion is to use no weight, trade in that rod, switch to a jig and start casting structure. Trade that stuff in and find some smallies.

PS I'm bringing my drop shot rod...

[Xwisconyfisherman]

Yes...you may bring your drop shot rod.......However sometime a MAN needs to branch out a little and go "sturgeon hunting". lol...

anyone else have any suggestions on sinker size/locations to fish/or bait....(and no Aaron I'm not asking you....)

[Redbeard]

I've never sturgeon fished that area,but we've been in that stretch 3 times in the last 2 months and the current is pretty mellow. The river is fairly wide all through the Tri-Cities area and you should have no problems with 6 to 8 ounces of lead.

[Xwisconyfisherman]

correction I will be fishing down by Pasco by the walla walla yacht club...

[deltadog]

Are there any bait shops in the Richland area that sell sturgeon baits?

[deltadog]

Hey guys reaching out for a little help here. Planning a trip to go after some Sturgeon the middle of April down by the Pasco/Yakima yacht club area. My big question is what is the current like down this way? I'm wondering what size of lead I should be using? I was guessing around 8 oz cannon balls? Any advice as far as areas to fish/bait and set ups would also be great but i understand if you want to keep that stuff to yourself. I would just really like to know how much lead a guy needs to stay on the bottom. My game plan was to use 6-8 once cannon balls on a sliding swivel with a foot and a half leader with squid.

Are you bank fishing?

[Xwisconyfisherman]

Delta,
We will be fishing out of a boat and launching at the yakima yacht club. I'm not sure about the your other question about the bait. We just bougth some squid and white elephant in spokane and some sturgeon scent/along with herring

[jbball50]

Are there any bait shops in the Richland area that sell sturgeon baits?

I know in Kennewick at Wholesale Sports I've seen some stuff in there. Dyed herring, I think they had anchovies too. Can't remember what else they had there. I'm sure if they had that stuff that they probably have pickled baits too for sturgeon.

[deltadog]

Are there any bait shops in the Richland area that sell sturgeon baits?

I know in Kennewick at Wholesale Sports I've seen some stuff in there. Dyed herring, I think they had anchovies too. Can't remember what else they had there. I'm sure if they had that stuff that they probably have pickled baits too for sturgeon.

What about herring roll-mops?

[Xwisconyfisherman]

bump

[deltadog]

What would one say about stuffing a whole squid with salmon roe? Sound like a good offering?

[Matt]

I wouldn't waste my good steelhead eggs on strugeon!! For lead I prefer to use pyramids over cannonballs they hold better, although I have both in my box and usually just use whatever I grab first. 6-8oz should be good, maybe buy 1 or 2 10's just to be safe. Use a 6/0 and bigger circle hook, barbless, if you plan to use squid or herring use a longer leader so you can wrap the dacron leader around the bait several times. Anchovies also work well. In the past I have cured my fish in rock salt to harden them up a bit, they sturgeon seem to love the salt. Another good bait is sand shrimp, just tie 2-4 of them whole/live onto to the hook with miracle thread, doesn't matter what they look like, just tie em up and secure them. I think the baits of choice for the C are squid, anchovie, and northern pikeminnow. Below is a video of how to rig whole fish for use, squid can be rigged in a similar fashion using a series of half hitches.

[Xwisconyfisherman]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I like that squid and eggs idea

[Xwisconyfisherman]

alright trip got pushed to mid May still open for ideas!!

[AJ's Dad]

Well I can tell you that the best (Only) stergeon fishing I ever did was on the snake river. We used trout for bait. The guide had gone and caught several trout in the 10" range. He put them in a ziplock bag in the sun for a couple of days. When they came out of the bag, YOU KNEW IT! He wrapped them with a few wraps of ordinary string and we sent it to the bottom. He said the more they smell, the further away the stergeon can smell them. We did pretty well. I personally caught a 6 1/2 footer on that trip. Good fun! My advice for you though is to stay at home and catch pike.

[Matt]

Hmmm, can't say that I agree with the above message. I don't think you want your meat to go rancid, that will actually deter the fish from biting. They like things with a strong natural odor, not a decaying nasty odor. Same rule for crabbing, I have heard people say to leave chicken in the sun for days before use.... try it, the results speak for themselves when you get skunked. Also, I think it is against the law to harvest gamefish or foodfish with the intention of using them as bait. Carcasses may be used as bait, but catching trout with the sole intention of using them for sturgeon bait is illegal, I believe.

Use FRESH bait either straight up FRESH, brined overnight in rock salt, or pickled. Pickling works well but is the messiest and smelliest of the above methods. Use plenty of scent with your offering.

....but heck, what do I know?

[jbball50]

Are there any bait shops in the Richland area that sell sturgeon baits?

I know in Kennewick at Wholesale Sports I've seen some stuff in there. Dyed herring, I think they had anchovies too. Can't remember what else they had there. I'm sure if they had that stuff that they probably have pickled baits too for sturgeon.

What about herring roll-mops?

I'll try checking this weekend, I've been busy with work on weekdays and been going out of town to Wazzu to visit and back to my parents to the westside last few weekends.