Well, if you’re lookin’ to catch some big ol’ sturgeon, you gotta get yourself the right tools, y’know? Ain’t no use in goin’ out there with a flimsy reel and expectin’ to haul in a monster. I’m tellin’ ya, the sturgeon reel is a mighty thing, and if you pick the right one, it’ll sure make your day out on the water a whole lot easier.
Now, I reckon the best reel for bank fishin’ when you’re after them big sturgeon is the NEWELL G338F LongCast. It’s smooth as butter, keeps pullin’ without fuss, and trust me, that drag system is consistent. I’ve heard folks say that this reel’s got five teflon-coated ball bearings on each side. Now, I don’t exactly know all the fancy words for that, but I do know it makes the reel work like a charm! With a 5.3:1 retrieve ratio, it pulls that line in just right when you’ve got somethin’ heavy on the other end.
And when we’re talkin’ about sturgeon, let me tell you, they can be real big and mighty! I heard tell of one catch near Lillooet, BC. This here fish weighed nearly 700 pounds, and they said it was about 110 years old! Can you imagine that? A fish that big, it takes a powerful reel to get ’em in, and the NEWELL G338F LongCast might just be the one for you.
What makes a good reel? Well, a good reel for sturgeon should be strong enough to handle the big boys, but it’s also gotta be smooth. You don’t want a reel that’s gonna jerk or skip. When you’re pullin’ a big sturgeon out of the water, you want that drag to run smooth and steady. The NEWELL G338F doesn’t let ya down in that department. Ain’t no jerkin’ or choppin’ up the line, just smooth reeling.
Now, if you’re planning on fishin’ on the bottom, like I know a lotta folks do when they’re after sturgeon, you gotta make sure your bait stays put. Sturgeon are bottom feeders, which means they like to grub around the riverbed. A sliding sinker rig works best for that. It lets your bait move freely while keeping the weight right where it needs to be – down low. You don’t want your bait floatin’ up, cause them sturgeon won’t find it. The right weight on your sinker is mighty important, too. You gotta make sure it’s heavy enough to hold that bait in place, but not so heavy that it scares the fish away.
Besides the reel, another thing you’ll need is a good hook. Now, I’ve tried a lotta hooks in my time, but I reckon those Japanese-made wide gape carp hooks do a fine job. They got a nice curve and are long enough to hold the fish steady once you’ve hooked it. You don’t want no hook that’s gonna break or bend under pressure, especially when you’re pullin’ in a big fish like a sturgeon. So make sure you pick yourself a hook that’s up to the task.
What else you need? Well, you need patience, that’s for sure. Fishin’ for sturgeon ain’t no quick game. It’s a long wait, and you gotta be ready to give that reel a good hard pull when the time comes. You can’t rush it, you gotta work with that reel and that line, and when you get that big fish on the hook, you better be ready to hold on tight!
One other thing you might wanna consider is a good sturgeon fishing rod. I know a lotta folks just grab whatever rod they got in the shed, but for sturgeon, you need a rod that’s built tough. You can’t be messin’ around with a flimsy one when you’re dealin’ with fish that big. Look for something with a solid backbone, a rod that can handle the fight without breakin’ under pressure. It’s all about findin’ that perfect balance between strength and sensitivity, ‘cause you gotta feel when that big fish bites!
And don’t forget to check the weather and river conditions before you go. Sturgeon don’t like bein’ out in rough water, and you don’t want to be out there fightin’ the wind and rain. Pick a nice day when the water’s calm, and you’ll have a better shot at landin’ a big one.
All in all, the sturgeon reel you choose can make a world of difference when you’re fishin’ for these big ol’ creatures. With the right equipment, a bit of patience, and some good ol’ fashioned know-how, you’ll be pullin’ in sturgeon like a pro. So, get yourself a good reel, check the weather, and head out to that river – the sturgeon are waitin’!
Tags:[sturgeon reel, best fishing reel, fishing tips, NEWELL G338F, sturgeon fishing, bank fishing, sliding sinker rig, fishing hooks, Japanese-made hooks, fishing rods, sturgeon fishing gear, Fraser River fishing]