I took a friend up on an offer to go on a sturgeon trip in area 8-2. He is a guide whose clients had postponed their trip so we and another buddy were out on the water at 11:00 am, about an hour before minus tide. We used live sand shrimp wrapped with a felt type strip and coated with a scent. We were in about 4 to 7 feet of water and fishing on the bottom using about 2 ounces of weight. After about 40 minutes we moved to another “hole” not far from our starting point and within about 10 minutes my poll started to indicate a light tap. After a short wait, the hook was set and I began my battle with a 7+ foot 90+ pound sturgeon. We didn’t see the fish for the first 20 minutes of the battle and had to use the motor to catch up to it in order to not loose all the line on the reel. After about 20 minutes, the fish finally surfaced and I was absolutely shocked. I have never in my life played a fish even close to this size and I was amazed by its power. After three very long runs and several shorter runs all peeling line from the reel, I was able to lead the fish to the boat twice. The plan was to attempt to bring the monster on board for a quick picture followed by a release. Both attempts to bring the fish aboard failed and on the second attempt the leader broke and this fish estimated to be 90+ years old went on its way. This trip took place last Sunday and since then I haven’t been able to get the experience out of my mind. It was bar-none the best fish fighting experience of my life. I was sworn to secrecy as far as the location goes but there were about 7 other boats in the area all fishing for the same species. One guy I spoke to at the launch said he saw a boat take a keeper so we weren’t the only boat to play a fish. That was the only fish of the 5 hour trip but honestly after that fight my arms were tired and overworked in the best possible way and if I never caught another fish, at that moment I was fine with it. What an experience. My buddy who took me on this trip told me that he usually catches several sturgeon on these local trips and that our trip was extremely slow as far as fishing goes. Because we didn’t catch a keeper he gave me and the other guy who was with us each about 5 pounds of sturgeon fillets he had in his freezer from a fish he caught last month. What a guy, what a trip! If you would like information on my buddies guide service, he is a super great guy and is out of Stanwood, WA. PM me for the information.

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