GIANT STURGEON FISHING
a Division of Hells Canyon Sport Fishing
GIANT STURGEON
CATCH OF A LIFETIME
Welcome to The great white Sturgeon
How can you successfully target Sturgeon in Hells Canyon?
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How do the conditions and tactics change throughout the year when you are fishing for Giant Snake River Sturgeon?
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What about rigging, types of bait, and Sturgeon fishing regulations when you target Giant Snake River Sturgeon?
These are all questions that we have answers for -- so book a trip and let's jump in our jet boat! Let's head up river to soak some bait in a deep hole somewhere in Hells Canyon hoping to hook into a Monster Sturgeon.
And YES! They do jump out of the water. Most often like a Striped or Black Marlin would! Just have a look!
Sturgeon Fishing on the Snake River in Hells Canyon
For many of us fishermen the chance to catch a giant White Sturgeon has always been on one’s bucket list. But Let’s face it… there are only so many places in North America where catching a giant sturgeon is even possible. The thought of planning an exclusive trip just to accomplish this one goal can be intimidating. For many this isn’t the kind of trip that would be a yearly or every other year occurrence, but a once in a lifetime chance to travel out west and catch freshwaters largest fish, the White Sturgeon.
Hells Canyon Sport Fishing specializes in making your dream of catching a Monster Sturgeon come true. We understand that for many this is much more than a just a normal fishing trip. For some anglers the chance to catch a giant Sturgeon has been a lifelong dream. For these anglers we offer a very exclusive trip with one goal in mind…Making your dream of catching a giant sturgeon a reality.
Our once in a lifetime sturgeon package is based on a group size of 1-2 fishermen per boat. Having fewer fishermen gives the best chances that you personally catch the fish of your dreams. We only offer this trip during the premium time of the season where chances are at their best to produce extra-large fish.
Hells Canyon sturgeon can live more than 100 years and grow over 10 feet long. Hooking and landing a monster sturgeon in a deep, fast river filled with massive boulders and sharp ledge rock is challenging, this is where your gear gets put to the test. If something fails, it can turn into a disaster quickly. Our guides at Hells Canyon Sport Fishing have spent years refining a proven system of rods, reels, and terminal tackle that performs when hunting these prehistoric giants.
Custom Built Rods
We use a custom sturgeon-specific rod blank developed by Batson Enterprises. This 8’ rod is custom built with extra-heavy components, including a machined aluminum reel seat, solid metal carbide insert tip, composite “tuna rail”-style foregrip, and a solid composite rod butt. These rods have all the power you could ever need, with a softer tip that helps you see the bite and lets the fish take the bait just enough before applying hook pressure.
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Reels
Avet reels are well known on the West Coast with tuna anglers. Made in the USA, they come in many sizes and configurations. We’ve relied on Avet HX single-speed and 2-speed reels for years. They offer excellent line capacity, incredibly durable drag, and day-in/day-out dependability. The power knob handle fits comfortably, and clients have no trouble operating them. We order ours in anodized blue to match our boats.
Line
PowerPro braided Spectra has been our go-to main line and leader material for years. It comes in yellow, white, red, and green. We feel white is the best all-around color, though some guides prefer yellow. We often spool the bottom half with 150 lb and splice into 200 lb for the top half. At the very end, we add a 50-yard top shot of 250 lb PowerPro, insurance we’ve learned dramatically reduces break-offs on sharp rock ledges.
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Hooks
Maruto 8/0 and 10/0 barbless circle hooks have been a complete game-changer in our hook-to-land ratio. They’re the strongest-for-size hooks we’ve found. Their shape holds bait well and holds a hooked sturgeon even better. Super sharp, well designed, and extra strong, these are the best sturgeon hooks you can buy.
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Rigging
We start by snelling the hooks with 4 feet of 250 lb leader. The leader attaches to the main line with a heavy-duty ball bearing swivel. On the main line, we run a slider that connects to the weight. Weight typically ranges from 10–30 oz depending on river conditions. It’s a simple hook, line, and sinker setup, built with top-tier components for maximum success.
Having the right bait is one of the most critical pieces of catching giant sturgeon. Older fish that feed on specific prey can be extremely picky depending on the time of year. Our guides use a rotating selection of baits, some that other guides wouldn’t believe.
Join us on your own Hells Canyon sturgeon trip to see what the “Bait of the Day” might be.
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As a professional outfitter and guide business Hells Canyon Sport Fishing has been in the hunt for Monster Hells Canyon Sturgeon for over 20 years. Covering over 100 miles of wild and scenic river through class 4 & 5 rapids over 8000 feet below magnificent mountain peaks Sturgeon Fishing on the Snake River in Hells Canyon may very well be the most beautifully wild destination you can go to and catch a giant fish like a Hells Canyon Sturgeon.
These monsters can live to be 100 years of age and grow to over 10 feet in length here in Hells Canyon. The population of Snake River Sturgeon here in Hells Canyon is exceptional thanks to the practice of Catch and Release for Sturgeon for the last 40 years. Idaho fish and Game monitors the catch rates of Snake River Sturgeon as well as conduct an ongoing research program always looking for ways to preserve our precious Snake River Sturgeon Fishing resource for our future Sturgeon fishermen.
