Flyfish Fanatic

These fish are great fighters and will challenge the most seasoned fisherman. The best way to fish for these monsters is to send down a weight followed by a short heavy leader with a large special hook. The choice of bait depends on the time of year, if it is during the salmon run season, the bait of choice is fresh Roe of the salmon that is running at the time. So if the run is sockeye the best bait to use is FRESH Sockeye roe. I have tried to use frozen or a few day old roe and have found it much less successful. I always try to go out in the morning and catch a fresh salmon and use the roe for Sturgeon fishing. It can be a little boring to go Sturgeon fishing because you are basically bottom fishing, so all you do is find a good hole to fish, anchor and drop your line and wait.

The largest Sturgeon to ever be caught was caught in the fraser river in 1976. The fish was caught on a rod/reel and weighed in at a whopping 1435lbs.

The bite is usually very small and subtle and you must let the fish suck in the bait before setting the hook. Once you have set the hook and it is one of any size get ready for the fight of your life.

In the off season for salmon the bait of choice is eulachons.

These are also called candle fish because they can be dried and lit on fire like a candle.

Another bait to use is called stink bait, yes stink bait. What is stink bait you ask, Rotten fish. We usually go to shore to pick up dead stinky fish that have already spawned.

There is also another bait to use but you will need to check local regulations to see if they are legal they are called ditch eels. As far as I know they are not legal in BC, But check the local regs.

Sturgeon like to follow the salmon and they will gorge themselves on dead fish and roe, so if you are trying for them in the later part of the salmon run season you may run into nothing but stuffed fish.

Good luck and hold on tight.

Tight lines and fun times