Sturgeon Fishing

Well I cant tell you any thing that would help you. In MT we have 3 kinds of sturgeon two we can catch. The Pallid is protected. We use just standard stuff, a #2 hook with a BIG goube of night crawlers or a peace of cut fish fished with enough weight to hold it on the bottom. We have got them up to around 35". The "White" Sturgeon in the western corner of MT I have never fished for. Sorry.

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_AFCAA02020.aspx

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_AFCAA02010.aspx

What you probably will be fishing

http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_AFCAA01050.aspx

Just my passionate plea.  Sturgeon are usually catch and release, and some species are quite old.  Use CIRCLE HOOKS.

First the circle hook looks silly and like it wouldn't catch anything.  For live bait it actually works better.  It hooks the fish in the corner of the mouth every time and never deep, when it will kill the fish.  Forget that old wives tale about "it rusts out".  that only works if your an old wife or after the fish dies.

Second, the circle hook is great with light taking fish and fish that hold the bait before swallowing it.  These are the kind of fish it is easy to hit to soon and lose the fish.  Or hit to late and impale the stomach where the hook can't be removed without killing the fish.  With the Circle Hook you hook the bait with the hook exposed; the fish get the bait plays with it etc; when he swallowsit with the circle hook it doesn't set the point into his stomach.  after he moves and you know he has you bait firmly (as the line goes out good) you merely slowly wind.  the bait and hook at pulled up the gullet and since the fish is always going away from the line drag, it set itself in the corner of it mouth.

I never believed it till I went head to head in a school of feeding fish with and older dude, he outfished me 4 to one and all of his fish were hooked perfectly in the corner of the mouth...and we were not releasing these school fish, they were eaters.  I now exclusively fish circle hooks when bait fishing for everything sharks and tarpon included, except crappie and Im going to try  that in 4 weeks this year.

just my thoughts

BEAR

I must admit that the circle hook change sort of crept up on me.  I've been using them now for about 5 years.  they really are easy on the fish...and with bait they work better.

Some states require them for bait bottom fishing.  not sure how to use them it you like to fish a bucktail jig tipped with bait.  But I'm sure someone will adapt to a circle hook and a weighted jig???

The fact that you really need to let the fish run before setting the hook takes some getting use to, but is actually an easier way to fish....you don't need to spill your beer while grabbing for a rod.