07-10-2011, 05:21 PM
[cool][#0000ff]When I lived in Sacramento I hooked several sturgeon in the Sacramento river while fishing for striped bass. No heavy sturgeon gear...just fairly stout rod with about 20 pound mono line. Lost several that decided to return to San Francisco Bay with all my line. Did manage to land a 115# fish that was a bit over 6' long. Took me about a mile down river and I had to kick in to shore to finish the fight. Hitched a ride back upstream to my vehicle from a local farmer with a pickup that followed my battle downstream.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Saw an old guy in a tin boat hook and land one that was (and probably still is) a state record on 20 pound line. Weighed 420# and took him several miles downriver. He came towing it back upstream later, barely making headway against the current. Those were in the days before zero limit. They used the boat hoist to lift it up into his truck and the tail extended a ways out the back.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You can theoretically catch any species of fish from a float tube or pontoon. The limitations show up when the bigger fish start using their size and power. You just can't get enough "lift" from a flimsy floating platform like a float tube. Great while they are pulling against you and moving around away from your craft. But when you have to dredge them back up from straight down it is a tough challenge...even with a big catfish.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Saw an old guy in a tin boat hook and land one that was (and probably still is) a state record on 20 pound line. Weighed 420# and took him several miles downriver. He came towing it back upstream later, barely making headway against the current. Those were in the days before zero limit. They used the boat hoist to lift it up into his truck and the tail extended a ways out the back.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You can theoretically catch any species of fish from a float tube or pontoon. The limitations show up when the bigger fish start using their size and power. You just can't get enough "lift" from a flimsy floating platform like a float tube. Great while they are pulling against you and moving around away from your craft. But when you have to dredge them back up from straight down it is a tough challenge...even with a big catfish.[/#0000ff]
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