# Sturgeon Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Utah Fishing General\ **Created:** [September 29, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/sturgeon-questions/458759 "2023-09-29T00:37:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WalleyeAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8e8cbc/32.png) [@WalleyeAl](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/WalleyeAl)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:22pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/sturgeon-questions/458759/1 "2023-09-29T14:22:18Z")
> [@Envenomation09](#): > > Hello guys, I figured I’d ask a question here since I know there are at least a few sturgeon enthusiasts around. I am planning to do a little bank fishing for sturgeon with a friend in October in Idaho. We are both big fans of catfishing and it seems to be pretty similar in practice. I am thinking of fishing the stretch below American Falls Dam but would listen to any advice about possibly fishing other sections (not looking for a honey hole, just general stretches of the Snake River or its reservoirs). I am aware there is a closure on part of the Snake, too. I have the rod and reel and line to handle a sturgeon and am familiar with Idaho’s regulations on handling these awesome animals as well as the rigging and barbless hooks. > > My main questions are: > > [list=1] > [_]How much weight do you normally use? Bank sinker or pyramid? Or different? > [_]What size of hooks? I was gonna use Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks in sizes 6/0 and 8/0 with the barb pinched. Thoughts? > [_]Any bait recommendations? > [_]I am planning to use a very heavy duty (~130 lb) sturgeon leader. Good idea? > [/list] > Thanks for any pointers. 😃 > > Just be warned that sturgeon fishing is pretty addicting! I started a couple years ago and now it one of my favorite fish to catch. > > 1. I use 6-12oz cannon ball style weights depending on the current. less is easier to cast around but you gotta keep bottom  >               contact with your rig. >           2. I like 7/0 Gamakatsu octopus hooks the best. Dont just pinch the barb but also file or grind them down with a dremel. I have had  >               fish and game rub the hook on their shirt to see if the barb snags at all. >           3. Crappie is king on the snake. but if you can’t get your hands on any, shrimp, pickled herring, and salmon all work. >           4. Follow the fish and games rigging requirements. Use a minimum of 50lb main line and 30lb test mono for the line from your sinker >               slider to your sinker. > > Hope this helps! ---
**Author:** ![Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kent](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Kent)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/sturgeon-questions/458759/2 "2023-10-14T18:04:55Z")
> [@Envenomation09](#): > > Hello guys, I figured I’d ask a question here since I know there are at least a few sturgeon enthusiasts around. I am planning to do a little bank fishing for sturgeon with a friend in October in Idaho. We are both big fans of catfishing and it seems to be pretty similar in practice. I am thinking of fishing the stretch below American Falls Dam but would listen to any advice about possibly fishing other sections (not looking for a honey hole, just general stretches of the Snake River or its reservoirs). I am aware there is a closure on part of the Snake, too. I have the rod and reel and line to handle a sturgeon and am familiar with Idaho’s regulations on handling these awesome animals as well as the rigging and barbless hooks. > > My main questions are: > > [list=1] > [_]How much weight do you normally use? Bank sinker or pyramid? Or different? > [_]What size of hooks? I was gonna use Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks in sizes 6/0 and 8/0 with the barb pinched. Thoughts? > [_]Any bait recommendations? > [_]I am planning to use a very heavy duty (~130 lb) sturgeon leader. Good idea? > [/list] > Thanks for any pointers. 😃 > > I like pyramid weights, typically in 8 or 10 ounce. I pour my own using a modified mold with the eye attached to the point.  Less snags that way. Anywhere from 5/0 to 8/0 hooks will work. The hooks you listed are good hooks. For bait salmon, trout, pickled herring, whitefish, perch, Cisco, nightcrawlers and a few other baits will work. I use 100 pound braided line and 80 pound soft Dacron for leader. I use 20 pound Dacron for tying on my weights. Below American Falls dam is a good place for shore fishing if you can make a long cast. Either fish from the sturgeon dock or from the fenced landing area just above the sturgeon dock. ---
**Author:** ![Envenomation09](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.bigfishtackle.com/envenomation09/32/53737_2.png) [@Envenomation09](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Envenomation09)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/sturgeon-questions/458759/3 "2023-09-29T00:37:00Z")
Hello guys, I figured I’d ask a question here since I know there are at least a few sturgeon enthusiasts around. I am planning to do a little bank fishing for sturgeon with a friend in October in Idaho. We are both big fans of catfishing and it seems to be pretty similar in practice. I am thinking of fishing the stretch below American Falls Dam but would listen to any advice about possibly fishing other sections (not looking for a honey hole, just general stretches of the Snake River or its reservoirs). I am aware there is a closure on part of the Snake, too. I have the rod and reel and line to handle a sturgeon and am familiar with Idaho’s regulations on handling these awesome animals as well as the rigging and barbless hooks. My main questions are: - How much weight do you normally use? Bank sinker or pyramid? Or different? - What size of hooks? I was gonna use Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks in sizes 6/0 and 8/0 with the barb pinched. Thoughts? - Any bait recommendations? - I am planning to use a very heavy duty (~130 lb) sturgeon leader. Good idea? Thanks for any pointers. 😃