Having a solid foundation and proper footwork are essential in many sports and without it an individual cannot execute the task properly. Whether swinging on a moving target with a shotgun, or putting the fly on a distant target, without firm footwork it cannot be done, and the same holds true when you have to hit a biting sturgeon at the right moment.
Unfortunately, a lot of newcomers either set too soon or too late on that critical part of the strike, and more often than not those empty swishes with the rod can be attributed to a combination of bad footwork and an unstable foundation.
Unlike solid ground H20 makes for a highly unstable platform, and one that is extremely difficult to stabilize if it can be done at all. Varying degrees of wind strength and direction will change the water complexion, and if currents are traveling in an opposing direction, that translates into a bumpy platform for the boating angler. As can be expected you’re footwork will not be good either.
Furthermore, the elements can compound the problem even more if you’re fishing from a boat with high free board. The high free board acts like a sail catching the wind, and so the boat may ride up on the anchor rope, or fish tail erratically in the current. Unstable conditions not only make it difficult to put the hit on a sturgeon, it also makes it tough to detect the bite, and a boat that moves too much also means the baits will be dragged away from any potential fish.
Sturgeon Are Not Designed To Chase Bait
Be keenly aware sturgeon will not chase fast moving baits. Nature has designed them to feed on extremely slow moving or stationary baits, and that’s why it so important to minimize any movement of the boat.
Stabilizing The Boat
Don’t worry you won’t have to buy another boat with a lower free board because there are a number of things you can do to neutralize or semi-neutralize the problems discussed.
If you’re in conditions with the current moving from bow to stern, but an opposing wind is blowing into your stern or sides get a five-gallon bucket and attach several feet of rope to it. Secure the rope to your stern cleat and toss the bucket overboard. The current and the water filling the bucket should create enough drag to straighten the stern out. If that doesn’t quite do it I’ll put out a second bucket. The related problem is one that I often encounter on the San Pablo especially when fishing an incoming tide and a northeast wind is taking place.
Sea Anchor
Smaller sea anchors are also an excellent choice to use, particularly the ones built with a trip line. When you need to haul the sea anchor in, the trip line is pulled which causes the chute to invert making it easy to pull in. Some folks might think bigger is better regarding sea anchors, but personally I would not use the bigger sea anchors such as the cargo chutes because they create too much drag that can actually pop out your anchor.
Back Anchor
If you’re working relatively shallow water and you don’t have a bucket or sea anchor a back anchor can be used, but you’ll need two crewmembers to get it done properly. To set it up right, first drop out your bow anchor and once it grabs, lay out some extra scope as you back down on the current. Once you think there is enough line out, drop your second anchor off the stern. Next have someone pulling up the slack on the bowline. As the back anchor digs in, both the bow and stern lines can then be secured.
The Rudder
Depending on wind or current direction the boat may shift too far to one side. That causes the lines to drag. This excessive movement can knock the bait off the hook, which means you’ll be fishing on credit, and again sturgeon will not go out of their way to take this bait. To remedy the problem turn your steering wheel in the opposite direction, but just enough so that the lines are eventually sitting straight off the stern. The skeg on your outboard or out drive acts as the rudder and when it’s positioned in the water it helps stabilize the boat.
Keep The Skeg Centered
It would be preferable to keep the skeg centered. This keeps the boat sitting in a straight line, and it minimizes any side movement. How do you know when the boat stern is centered? Watch your lines. If they’re going straight back, and the rod tips are not being pulled down unnaturally to one side, you’re in the groove.
Sometimes I see some boaters fishing with their outboards propped up. I would not recommend this simply because if there’s any wind, the boat has no control which means too much fish tailing across the water. Again you won’t be able to read for the bite.
Pull Everything Out
Keep in mind when a hookup occurs all that stuff you have laying off the stern should be cleared from the water for obvious reasons.
Braid Lines
Along with good footwork and keeping the boat steady, now that you know how to promote better conditions to success, you can further increase your odds particularly in the hit and connect category by spooling up with a quality braid line.
Advantages
Their thin diameter cuts through the water like butter allowing one to use lighter sinkers. That’s means you’ll develop a better feel for the bite, and a sturgeon is more prone to continue with its feeding when it doesn’t feel that added weight. Also because of the thin diameter you can spool up with your favorite light tackle outfit and still have the needed yardage to outlast a long run from a big one.
But best of all, because of the braids minimal stretch, you feel everything, and the moment you strike, there’s no mushy cushion to neutralize your effort. With no stretch you have a trigger fast response to bury the hook, and that can be critical when dealing with fussy biters in deeper water. Bottom line, if you’re missing too many strikes on the monofilament, it’s time to get out of the stubborn mode and go to braid line. The difference is like night and day with this stuff.
Regarding what pound strength to use 30 to 50 lb test is good and I would recommend Western Filament, Spider Wire or Spider Wire.
Hi’s Tackle Box
If you need help in putting a sturgeon outfit together along with related accessories stop by Hi’s Tackle Box in San Francisco. Their experienced staff can answer any questions you have and they’ll be happy to arm you with the best equipment. Call Hi’s at 415-221-3825
Related Information
-San Pablo Bay Sturgeon Fishing Techniques Article
-Basic Sturgeon Rig
-Light Tackle Sturgeon Rig
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