A few gentle taps on the tip, a smooth pull—and suddenly the fish is darting across the entire fishing spot. The sturgeon can surprise you with its unexpected strength and sudden leaps above the surface. How do you properly prepare for it, what to offer it near the bottom, and how to successfully handle the entire fight until the fish is safely returned to the water?
Just how big of a sturgeon are you actually going after?
A photo of a massive fish in the fishing spot’s gallery can be enticing. But before you even make a reservation, find out how large the fish you’re likely to encounter actually are. A setup that’s great for smaller fish can result in an unnecessarily long and exhausting fight for a fish over a meter long.
This type of fishing usually takes place in stocked private waters. When searching for them, you can use the maps in the Fishsurfing app, though it’s always best to verify the specific stock and rules directly with the operator.
Tackle Based on Fish Size
- For smaller fish, a correspondingly sturdier feeder rig will suffice.
- For regular fishing for large sturgeon, choose classic carp tackle with sufficient strength reserve; as a general guideline, use high-quality monofilament line with a diameter of 0.35 to 0.40 mm (always taking into account the size of the fish, snags, and the fishing area’s rules).
- For trophy-sized fish, general recommendations are no longer sufficient, and the specific setup must be discussed in advance directly with the water manager.
Read the fishing area regulations at home
Local rules may restrict your use of certain rigs or braided lines, or require hooks that are completely barbless. Furthermore, for large sturgeons, there is often a strict ban on landing them on shore. Therefore, be sure to read the fishing regulations for the area you’re planning to visit while you’re still at home.
Choose a spot where you can safely land the sturgeon
Before setting up your rods, take a look at the bank. A sturgeon is a feisty and long fish that will swim across the entire fishing spot once hooked, so you’ll need room to maneuver. Make sure you can comfortably reach the water’s surface, have room to step back, and can safely use a large landing net without dragging the fish over rocks. While a high bank above the water is comfortable to sit on, it’s more of a hindrance when landing a powerful sturgeon.
Prepare your landing net, fish pliers, and a sufficiently long, thoroughly soaked mat in advance. When dealing with a large sturgeon, agree with your partner beforehand on who will net the fish and who will remove the hook.
The bait doesn’t have to land in the middle of the pond
Sturgeons often swim just along the shore, searching for food near the bottom. Identify the location of the shoreline slope or regularly fed spots, and don’t hesitate to ask the park ranger—who often offers better advice on sturgeon than general guidelines.
When fishing with two rods, use one to cover the nearer section of the bottom and the other to cover the farther edge. Position them so you don’t get in each other’s way when landing a sturgeon. And if a fish starts swimming close to the shore, the quickest solution is to reel in the second rod in time.
What to Use for Sturgeon Fishing
Sturgeons naturally forage near the bottom. This is evident from the downward-pointing shape of their mouths and their sensitive barbels, which they use to constantly scan the bottom. Logically, it makes sense to present bait to them where they would most naturally seek it.
- Sinking pellets – An excellent first choice (e.g., halibut pellets, 14–20 mm in diameter, depending on the size of the fish). Bait them on a hair rig below the hook so the hook remains free.
- Boilies – If smaller fish are stealing the pellets, opt for more durable sinking boilies with a fish or meat flavor. Check regularly to see how long the bait lasts in the water.
- Earthworms – If the rules allow it, a bundle of earthworms works great, but it will also attract other fish. Make sure they stay in place long enough.
How Much Bait to Use Around the Hook
At the start, just a small handful of pellets around the bait is enough. The goal is to lure the sturgeon to the hook, not to fill it up and scatter it across the entire bottom.
If you don’t get a bite for a while, check to see if the bait has sunk into soft mud or dense vegetation. In that case, lightening the rig a bit will help, but a classic floating bobber high above the bottom isn’t necessary.
How to Set Up a Simple Sturgeon Rig
In still water with a cleaner bottom, you can use a sliding rig. The weight slides freely along the main line and helps keep the bait in place. When setting up the rig and fishing, focus on three things:
- The weight must release if the line breaks. Thread a sliding weight onto the main line, followed by a protective bead, and tie a swivel to the end. The bead protects the knot from impacts by the weight. Do not place a stopper above the sinker that would prevent it from sliding off a broken line. Otherwise, the fish could drag it behind it. Also, check the fishing area’s requirements for escape rigs.
- Both the lure and the hook must remain accessible to the fish. Attach an abrasion-resistant leader to the swivel, approximately 20–30 cm long to start with. Use a strong, sharp hook that matches the size of the lure. After retrieving, check to see if the leader is tangled and if the lure is caked with mud. Before your next cast, straighten the hook point and replace any frayed sections of the leader or main line.
- When a fish strikes, it must be able to run out the line. Place the rod in a stable rest and adjust the drag or free spool so that a sudden pull doesn’t cause the rod to be pulled into the water. However, even with the drag loosened, this does not replace your attention. Stay close by, because a subtle tug from a sturgeon can quickly turn into a sustained run.
How to Recognize a Bite and Handle a Sturgeon
A sturgeon’s bite doesn’t necessarily set the reel spinning right away. Sometimes the rod tip twitches a few times first, and only then does the line tighten. Other times, the line slackens as the fish swims toward you with the lure. A single twitch doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to set the hook. Watch what happens next and be ready to grab the rod.
Set the hook smoothly and let the drag do its job
As soon as the bite is clear, reel in any slack line and lift the rod smoothly but firmly. There’s no need for a sharp jerk over your shoulder. Then keep the line taut to maintain constant contact with the fish.
A sturgeon may suddenly change direction, dash toward the surface, or leap out of the water while being fought. During a strong run, the drag must allow the line to pay out; otherwise, there is a risk of it snapping. As soon as the pull eases, take a moment to reel in and gradually bring the fish closer to the shore.
Keep an eye on the fish’s direction and don’t prolong the fight unnecessarily
If the sturgeon heads toward neighboring rods, alert the others in time. They can lift their rods or retrieve their rigs to prevent the lines from tangling. Having open space along the bank also helps, allowing you to follow the fish as needed.
Guide the fish decisively, taking into account the capabilities of your rig. The goal is to get it safely into the landing net without exhausting it unnecessarily. This is precisely why overly delicate tackle isn’t suitable for targeted fishing for large sturgeon—with such gear, you have no choice but to wait until the fish runs out of strength.
How to Land and Safely Release a Sturgeon
When you bring the sturgeon to the shore, don’t rush to pull it onto dry land. You can often unhook and photograph it right in the water. Especially with larger fish, it’s helpful to have a second person assist you so you’re not handling it alone.
- First, carefully net the fish. Submerge the landing net and guide the sturgeon into it headfirst. Wait to lift it until its entire body is inside. If it doesn’t fit in the net, leave it in the water and call the park ranger. Do not try to force it into the landing net or pull it out by the tail.
- Try to remove the hook while the fish is still in the water. Wet your hands and hold the fish with its body supported. Remove the hook carefully; if it’s stuck firmly, the warden will help you. Forcing it out could injure the fish.
- Have a photo ready in advance, if applicable. If the rules allow for a brief removal from the water, have your phone and a wet mat on hand. Hold the sturgeon horizontally, with its body supported and just above the mat. Never suspend it by the head, tail, or gills. It’s better to photograph a large fish at the water’s surface.
- Give it time to recover before releasing it. If it’s listless or tipping over, hold it underwater. In the current, position it with its head against the flow and avoid moving it back and forth. Release it only when it maintains its balance and tries to swim away on its own.
Enjoy Your First Sturgeon Fishing Trip
Before your first trip, take the time to prepare your gear and choose a spot where you’ll have enough space to land the fish safely. Once at the water’s edge, simply observe your surroundings, try out what works in that particular fishing spot, and pay attention to the small details. If you make a note of where the bite came from and what worked, you’ll be one step ahead on your next visit. And that sight of the sturgeon returning to the depths after a grueling fight? That will give you the best reason to start planning your next trip right away.