Living in Minnesota provides me ample opportunities to chase these freshwater dinosaurs. The Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers offer both lake and shovelnose sturgeon.

Fishing for sturgeon is a combination of knowing their local waters and seasons as well as their main food source. Obtaining fresh and smelly bait is crucial for attracting these active predators, whether you find it or catch it yourself. Lastly, using bottom rigs can help keep your bait in the feeding zone and increase your chances of catching a sturgeon.

Follow me into this article, where we’ll do a deep dive into fishing for sturgeon. Read on to find out how to find, rig, hook, and land the elusive and incredible sturgeon.

How Do You Fish for Sturgeon?

Sturgeon fishing is a set-up, bait-your-hook, cast, and wait kind of activity.

While sturgeon are sometimes caught on flies or lures, this is very rare and not a practical method of fishing for these species.

How to Fish for Sturgeon from the Bank

If you’re fishing from the bank, grab a chair and a heavy-duty rod holder. While sturgeon strikes won’t suddenly yank a rod into the water, their sheer size makes losing a rod possible.

If you have your bait, you’ve rigged a slip sinker rig, and found an excellent sturgeon area, cast your rig across or slightly downstream in a river. Reel in the line so there’s no slack and set the rod in the rod holder.

Slackline while bait fishing results in missed strikes or swallowed hooks. Taught line tension ensures that we see every strike, bite, or nibble on the rod tip.

When fishing in lakes, simply cast as far out as possible and set up as before.

FUN FACT: Minnesota anglers on the St. Croix River will ice fish for sturgeon. They sleep overnight on the ice with rattle reels that go off when a freshwater dinosaur takes the bait.

How to Fish for Sturgeon from a Boat

When boat fishing for sturgeon, one technique prevails wherever you fish.

Using the same rigs, baits, and setups we’ve discussed before, use a topo map to find holes in the river and motor just upstream of the head of the hole. Ideally, you want to anchor the boat and cast your baits downstream, so they sit just around the lip of the hole.

This technique is very effective.

Some days the sturgeon will hug the middle of the pool or bowl. On other days they will sit just outside of it. If you don’t get a bite after awhile, re-cast until you find the sweet spot. Sometimes the difference can be mere feet.

A note about sturgeon fishing with bait: Since sturgeon “taste” the water with their barbels, allowing the baits to sit for long periods helps spread the scent in the area and allows the sturgeon to find it. There may be sturgeon that follow the scent trail from downstream.

How can you tell if a sturgeon is biting?

A sturgeon bite can resemble tapping, a steady pull, a deep throb, or a steady pumping cadence on the rod tip. Every sturgeon and every bite window is different. A sturgeon strike will also change depending on the current, the size of the sturgeon, and how heavy of tackle you are using.

A guide friend of mine always says, “If you’re not sure, remember, hooksets are free.” If you think you might be getting a strike, set the hook and reel in. Even if you swing and miss, you can always re-cast.

It’s also important to know that sturgeon baits are food items that many species like. If you constantly get small strikes but the fish don’t take the bait, chances are smaller species are just nibbling your bait.

How do you set the hook on a sturgeon?

Hooksets with J-Hooks

When using traditional J-hooks, set the hook on a sturgeon the same way you would any other species.

If you see the bite, gently grab the rod and hold it steady. At the next strike, you will jerk the rod sharply away from the fish in a quick snapping motion. If you move gently and sweep the rod, the fish might feel the hook and spit it out. A sharp motion is the best way to ensure a steady connection.

Hooksets with Circle Hooks

When using circle hooks, the hook set is very different. You don’t “set” the hook at all. Circle hooks are designed to sit in the corner of a fish’s mouth through line tension.

If you try setting a circle hook like a j-hook, you risk pulling the pin out of the fish’s mouth.

Instead, when you feel a strike, reel the line in with a steady retrieve, and the rod will load with the weight of the fish. As you fight the fish, the line tension will seat the hook deeper and deeper.

Circle hooks are preferable to J-hooks when fishing for sturgeon for three reasons:

1. Sturgeon mouths are angled down and are rounded compared to other fish. Circle hooks tend to sit in their mouths better.
2. Circle hooks reduce the chances of a sturgeon swallowing the bait.
3. Circle hooks are easier to remove, especially when fished without a barb. Since barbless hooks rely on line tension to keep the hook in the fish’s mouth, barbless circle hooks are the perfect combination of low injury, low risk, and high hooking percentage.

Do sturgeon fight hard?

Sturgeon can grow to over 1000 pounds. For folks using light tackle, fighting a trophy-sized sturgeon can take upwards of 45 minutes to an hour.

Even for seasoned sturgeon anglers with heavy tackle, the fight can last a half hour, with the tug-o-war battle leaving your arms shaking from adrenaline and fatigue.

That said, even smaller sturgeon around 18 inches or more fight hard and stick to fast currents. Sturgeon are known to jump out of the water, bulldog to the bottom, and zig-zag as they try to get off the hook. You never know what you might get!

As with all large fish, make sure your drag is set correctly and learn how to fight large fish before striking out for a trophy sturgeon.

A good rule of thumb for fighting big fish is, “When they want to run, let ‘em run. When they heel, go ahead and reel.” This mantra has saved me more than a few times when my excitement got the best of me and I was almost too aggressive fighting a big fish.

Sturgeon Fishing Seasons and Rules

Sturgeon fishing seasons are strictly enforced and vary depending on certain stretches of the same river, seasonal changes, and differences in state agencies. It’s essential to check and re-check local sturgeon regulations before fishing for sturgeon, especially if you plan to keep one.

Just like hunting, sturgeon seasons are sometimes managed by tags.

These regulations ensure sturgeon populations are managed effectively, and the species are maintained for future generations to enjoy.

If catch-and-release angling, keeping the sturgeon in the water is best to protect its slime coat. Avoid setting it on the ground, gravel, sand, or concrete. A fish’s slime coat acts as its immune system. The fish is susceptible to disease if that surface covering is wiped away.

Terminology and Common Rules

The rules for first-time sturgeon anglers can feel complicated. Here are 6 words and phrases every beginner sturgeon angler should know.

1. Catch and release: Catch and release angling refers to catching fish, handling them as minimally as possible, and releasing them back into the water.
2. Keep/Catch and Cook: Catch and cook or keep anglers most often keep a fish or multiple fish for food, to have it mounted, or to have it weighed as part of angling record collections.
3. Low-impact angling: Low-impact angling aims to leave as little behind as possible. This includes trash, injured fish, and signs of angler activity like forked stick rod holders.
4. Barbless hooks: Barbless hooks are specialty hooks made without a barb. Barbless hooks significantly reduce injury to the fish and make hook removal much faster.
   Note: Some people say that barbless hooks lose too many fish. The key to reeling in fish with a barbless hook is to maintain tension on the line. If you allow slack in the line, the hook may pull free. Maintaining tension always ensures a straight line between you, the fish, and the fish’s mouth.
5. Non-remove from water: Non-remove from water rules require an angler to keep the fish in the water for the entire time they interact with it. From landing, hook removing, picture taking, and releasing, sturgeon anglers fishing on waters with non-remove rules should never lift a sturgeon out of the water.
   Depending on the season, some sturgeon anglers will wade into the water to gently cradle the sturgeon before releasing it. This is the law in Idaho and other states, so be sure and check the regs where you’re fishing.
6. Handling sturgeon: Safe handling of sturgeon includes using non-abrasive rubber nets when landing them, always using a soft material or wet hands to hold them, and using proper hook removal technique to reduce injuries around their mouths.

Rig Requirements

The sliding sinker set-up for Idaho sturgeon fishing is one example of a rig requirement in place to reduce accidental injury to sturgeon populations.

The Idaho Fish and Game manual says that:

Research has found that baited hooks, fishing line, and swivels, broken off by anglers, may be ingested by sturgeon, and in rare instances cause death. Because of this, IDFG adopted rules designed to reduce the amount of tackle lost by anglers with the overarching goal of reducing unintentional sturgeon deaths.

As you can see, sturgeon fishing rules and regulations will change depending on where and when you are fishing. Always research beforehand and talk to your local fisheries management organizations if you have questions.

These actions will ensure viable sturgeon populations–and opportunities to fish for them–for years to come.

Where to Find Sturgeon

Sturgeon habitat is a mix of gravelly, rocky bottoms and those areas adjacent to muddy flats. This combination of resources offers the most food for hunting sturgeon.

On the gravelly, rocky bottoms, sturgeon can find crayfish, small minnows, aquatic insects like hellgrammites and dobsonfly larvae, and decaying materials that get caught between the cracks.

On the muddy flats, sturgeon roam looking for clams and other stationary food items.

That said, sturgeon are always on the move and constantly “taste” the water, sucking up food items they pass.

Sturgeon seek out the deepest holes and often sit around them. This is where low-pressure zones collect food.

Professional and amateur sturgeon anglers protect good sturgeon holes because they know that sturgeon will return to these places year after year.

Good sturgeon habitat also offers deep, cold regions of riverways. While ocean-run sturgeon run upriver to spawn, most of their time is spent in the ocean. Similarly, freshwater sturgeon populations need areas of cold, deeper waters to thrive and migrate to spawn.

United States Sturgeon Fishing Hot Spots

There are a surprising amount of sturgeon fishing spots in the US. In fact, catchable populations of sturgeon exist all across the US. But if you want the chance at a world-class sturgeon, these are your destinations.

The Great Lakes Region: Rainy River

The Rainy River on the border of Minnesota and Canada is a fantastic sturgeon fishery. The fish here are densely populated, and it’s not uncommon to catch multiple fish in a day.

The Pacific Northwest: Columbia River

The Columbia River is home to some true giant sturgeon. Some of these fish can live to be 150 years old and take an hour or more to reel in due to their strength and size.

The West Coast: Willamette River

The Willamette River is a popular sturgeon fishery known for large fish and impressive numbers. These fish spawn in the rivers and live in the ocean migrating back and forth as their seasons develop.

The West: Snake River

The Snake River in Idaho holds some impressive opportunities for the adventurous angler. The Hell’s Canyon section of the river is within a wilderness access area. This means the waters are unpressured, the sturgeon are giant, and the views surrounding an angler are impressive.

Famous sturgeon water: The Fraser River

The Fraser River is where our expert guide, Marc Laynes, spends much of his time guiding clients.

His guiding company’s site says, “If you are worried about hooking that thousand-pounder, rest easy – most of the “larger” fish average between 100 and 300 pounds! However, our largest sturgeon was just shy of 900 pounds and measured 11 foot 3 inches from tip to the fork of the tail!”

The Fraser River is a famous sturgeon fishery above Seattle, Washington in Canada.

How deep do you fish for sturgeon?

When fishing for sturgeon, you should always be fishing on the bottom, no matter how deep the water is. Sturgeon feed on the bottom of the water column. It’s always a good idea to research the specific waters you plan to fish and talk to local experts for guidance on the best depth to target sturgeon in that area.

What time of day is best to fish sturgeon?

Generally, sturgeon, like most fish species, are most active in the early morning and late evening with an inactive period in the middle of the day. This may change depending on local conditions, water temperature, sunlight, and water depth.

However, seasoned sturgeon anglers know that night fishing for sturgeon is the best angling time of day. Sturgeons cover more water at night and are willing to swim in shallower areas. This makes night fishing the best option for anglers fishing from shore.

Sturgeon Fishing Setup

When fishing for sturgeon, focus on heavy, strong lines with a sinker slide bottom fishing system or a slip sinker rig in states that allow it. This ensures that our bait is always in the feeding zone.

For terminal tackle, at minimum, you will need a combination of the following:

• Weights heavy enough to stay on the bottom
• Popular weights include no-roll, pyramid, and egg sinkers
• Octopus hooks or circle hooks in sizes 8 up to 3/0 to 5/0, depending on the size of sturgeon in your area
• Barrel Swivels
• Beads
• Fluorocarbon leaders (30 to 50 pounds is common, for smaller fish 10 ponds is enough)
• Sinker slides (if using pyramid sinkers or a sinker slide rig)
• Lightweight dropper line for the sinker slide rig

Sturgeon Fishing Gear

Anglers of all species have go-to items. Sturgeon anglers are no different. Generally, sturgeon are hard-fighting fish that can grow to behemoth sizes.

When sturgeon fishing, consider the average size in your area and plan accordingly.

It’s a good idea to use heavier lines and gear than you think you need for two reasons:

1. Even if the average sturgeon size is comparatively small for sturgeon waters, the larger sturgeon will feed in the same area. These fish are not territorial.
2. Sturgeon have no teeth, but the sharp spines on their backs, sides, and gill plates can cut through line. Having a thicker line ensures that it will hold up to any sharp or abrasive surfaces.

Rod, reel, and line setups for sturgeon fishing are similar to sets made for catfishing, muskie fishing, carp fishing, and surf fishing in the ocean. Catfish anglers are known to catch sturgeon as by-catch because they use smelly baits that sit on the bottom.

Sturgeon Fishing Rigs

The tried and true rigs of sturgeon anglers everywhere are bait rigs that will hold bait on the bottom. We must stay in the sturgeon’s feeding zone to entice a bite.

Here are a few of the most popular rigs for fishing for sturgeon.

Slip Sinker Rig

When people talk about a “sturgeon rig,” they refer to any variation of a slip sinker rig with a snelled hook.

Snelled hooks are hooks with a pre-tied leader attached to a swivel. The benefits of snelled hooks are ease of re-rigging and ease of selecting leaders, hooks, and bead colors depending on conditions.

You can make snelled hooks at home or purchase them online.

You can use sinkers directly on the line like a no roll or egg sinker, or use a sinker slide system paired with a pyramid sinker, slinky sinker, or any other of your favorite styles.

The sinker should be heavy enough not to move with the current.

The slip sinker rig does three things:

1. Keeps our bait on the bottom.
2. Provides the most feel and strike sensitivity since the weight is not attached to the line. Since these rigs allow the line to slide freely through the weight or slide, the sinker does not introduce drag and is very effective for light bites.
3. Makes sturgeon fishing accessible for anyone without needing specialty rigs.

Sinker Slide Rig with a Dropper

Idaho Fish and Game requires a sliding sinker rig with a breakaway system for the weight. The idea is if the weight becomes snagged, the lighter line between the weight and the main line will break, allowing the baited hook to be reeled back in.

Three-Way Breakaway Rig

The three-way breakaway rig is another option for sturgeon anglers. This rig uses a three-way swivel. One loop goes to the rod, one loop attaches to the leader and hook, and the third loop connects the weight with a short length of dropper line.

This rig has no slip component, but some anglers prefer having weights fixed to their line.

Sturgeon Fishing Baits

If you imagine a sturgeon as a giant, armor-plated catfish, then you’d be on your way to understanding sturgeon baits with one exception: sturgeon love fresh bait—the fresher the bait, the better.

In sturgeon fishing waters nationwide, a tried-and-true bait is a gob of worms on a circle hook. The larger the mess of worms on the end of your line, the better the chances of hooking into a monster sturgeon. The writhing mass of worms is smelly, has a lot of activity underwater, and is a large, nutritious offering.

We did a super deep dive and interviewed an expert guide in this article covering the Best Bait for Sturgeon. Hit the link for the best sturgeon baits and bait tips around.

The post How to Fish for Sturgeon: A Complete Guide to a Huge Catch appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

As with all fishing, choosing the right rod can be critical to ensuring your tube fishing goes well. Along with personal preference, there are a few things to look for when finding a good tube fishing rod.

The best tube rod will combine length, power, and action. This will provide a rod that allows for precise casting and reactive jigging to place and replicate a bass’ favorite food. Extra fast and fast action rods with medium power tend to be what makes a good tube rod.

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What is a Tube Rod?

A tube fishing rod is going to be almost any rod that is used to tube fish. While some fishing rods will be better equipped for tube fishing, you can use nearly anything to fish tubes, making it one of the more accessible fishing styles. Many of the best spinning reels for bass fishing can be combined onto a good fishing pole and set for tube fishing.

The best tube rod can operate like a jig fishing rod. Tubes are small to large plastic tubes that mimic baitfish and crawfish to lure in bass. Every tube is hollow, which allows for rigging a jig that typically has a longer piece of lead with an eyelet that sticks straight out from it.

Tube fishing is technically jig fishing. So looking for a good jig fishing rod for bass can be incredibly helpful in the search for the best tube rod.

What to Look For in a Tube Fishing Rod

There are three main factors to consider for what makes a good tube rod. Length, power, and action will all have a major influence on your tube fishing and may determine how much success you find.

Length

It can be tricky to make a broad statement about what length is best for tube fishing. That’s because the desired length varies greatly with where you’re fishing and the size of fish you’re after. Not only that, but the casting technique also comes into play when choosing the right length.

The length of the best tube rod will come down to personal preference. The longer rods will help pull bass out of deeper water as you would do during winter bass fishing. However, bass tend to stay in shallower water in the summer and early fall, demanding a shorter rod.

If you were to choose a single rod to fish tubes with, it would be safer to err on the side of a rod around 7 feet long. You can go shorter or longer depending on personal preference, but 7 feet is a good place to start.

Power

Power will help with the fight once you’ve hooked a bass with the tube. Generally, the best tube fishing rod will have medium power to provide just enough flex to bring in larger bass without making it difficult to bring in smaller ones.

The medium power will also allow some control over jigging the tube around the bottom of the water. Medium power might be enough to flip and pitch jigs, depending on the jig’s weight. Tube jigs don’t tend to be as heavy duty as others, making a medium power rod a great fit to handle everything you’ll want it to.

Action

Finally, you’ll need to determine the rod’s action. The action of the rod refers to where the rod flexes along itself. The faster action rods will flex closer to the tip, which is perfect for jig and tube fishing. A good tube fishing rod will need that quick jigging action that you can only get from fast or extra-fast rods.

Sometimes fishing with an extra-fast rod can encourage you to fish faster, but tube fishing is an art that requires a lot of finesse and patience. If you feel that you don’t have the patience quite yet, settle for a fast action rod that might force you to be patient. However, an extra-fast rod will make for more control over the tube itself.

Spinning vs. Baitcasting with Tube Baits

Once you’ve chosen the rod, you must find the right reel. The biggest debate is always between a spinner and a baitcaster. When tube fishing, both a spinning reel and a baitcasting reel work, but it also depends on what you’re fishing for.

A spinning reel is better for working finesse with lighter tubes and jigs. Meanwhile, a baitcaster will work better for heavier jigs when trying to bring in larger bass. The best tube rod will be equipped appropriately for what you’re hoping to bring in and your fishing style.

3 of the Best Tube Rods

Good

Shimano Teramar Southeast

For someone looking to get into tube fishing, the Shimano Teramar Inshore Southeast rod is a good choice. These come in various lengths, powers, and actions, making them customizable to each angler. There are both casting and spinning versions. It’s also reasonably priced for a high-quality rod that won’t force you to drop huge cash to go tube fishing.

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Better

St. Croix Mojo

The St. Croix Mojo is easily one of the best bass fishing rods out there. The 7-foot 1-inch long, medium power, fast action option for either spinning or baitcasting reels fits tube fishing perfectly. It works well for anyone that wants a middle-ground rod that will allow for a lot of flexibility in the tube fishing style they want. You can mix it up with a more powerful and faster action rod and can even add almost a foot of length.

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Best

Falcon Cara

For anyone with a lot of control who is hoping to bring in some larger bass, the best tube fishing rod is a Falcon Cara 7’3”, medium heavy power, extra fast action. You can fish a tube or a jig and bring the bass in all day, with well-balanced power and extra-fast action. It may cost a bit more, but you get the responsiveness and reliability you want in a good tube rod.

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The post What Makes a Good Tube Fishing Rod (3 Best Tube Rods) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

The St. Croix River in Minnesota is the home water where I’m learning to catch sturgeon. There’s a ton of information online. But I thought there had to be some expert tips and tricks that only the folks spending weeks on the water would know.

So for this article, I interviewed an expert sturgeon fishing guide, Marc Laynes, owner of Cascade Fishing Adventures INC. Marc has spent most of his life fishing for sturgeon, and he shared his thoughts with me on the best bait for sturgeon fishing. I also did a deep dive into sturgeon biology and behavior to decide on the best bait for sturgeon.

Is there a secret sturgeon bait? We’re going to dive into the best bait for sturgeon, why it’s the best, how to rig it, and then we’ll explore what sturgeon eat in the wild.

To get an idea of these best sturgeon baits, read on as we learn how to catch a living dinosaur: the sturgeon!

The Best Bait for Fishing Sturgeon

The best bait for sturgeon will depend on their habitat. Sea run sturgeon are used to eating sea run food like squids and sand fleas. Freshwater sturgeon eat shad, nightcrawlers, and cut suckers. Switching between the top baits in the area is your best bet to catch a sturgeon.

That said, during certain times of the year, the sturgeon may only want one food item, whether it’s a smelt spawn or a herring run.

Here are five of the best baits for sturgeon fishing in North America.

1. Nightcrawlers for sturgeon bait

Nightcrawlers as sturgeon bait are one of the best. They have a strong scent in the water, worms are present in nearly every water system, and they can be bought everywhere.

They have two drawbacks. First, you might have trouble keeping small fish off your bait since everything eats nightcrawlers. Second, nightcrawlers are fragile and it only takes one fish to strip your hook.

2. Shad, Herring, Smelt, and Anchovies for sturgeon bait

Shad, herring, smelt, and anchovies are extremely popular as sturgeon bait.

Use them whole, in crosscut chunks, strips, or halves, these baits are very versatile. The general size of these baitfish prevents small fish from stripping the hook. They are also oily and stinky, making them a go-to option as sturgeon bait.

When using baitfish as sturgeon bait, find out the primary forage in your water. If shad swim in the river, start with shad.

That said, there might be days where smelt works better or a week straight of great fishing with herring. Keep changing baits until you find out what works.

3. White sucker for sturgeon bait

White suckers can be great sturgeon bait but these fish are usually too big to use whole. Fillet the fish and cut the fillet into strips to spread the oily scent. White suckers are found all around the US and are eaten by most predatory fish species.

4. Shrimp for sturgeon bait

Some people swear by raw shrimp when fishing for sturgeon. Like worms, many fish species will eat shrimp but the strong scent and enticing meatiness is a popular bait for sturgeon.

5. Squid for sturgeon bait

Squid is a popular sturgeon fishing bait, especially for sea-run sturgeon who are more familiar with it in their food system.

Proponents of squid claim that it’s the most durable sturgeon fishing bait. They say you can catch multiple sturgeon using the same chunk of squid, and smaller fish won’t pull it off the hook.

A Sturgeon Guide’s Notes on the Best Bait

Pro sturgeon fishing guide Marc says, “I have fished for sturgeon since the early 1980s while in high school. I enjoy sturgeon fishing and thought others would as well. I decided to start a guiding business in 1990 for sturgeon, salmon, and steelhead. With my post-secondary education in Fish and Wildlife, I was not only able to guide anglers but also provide my service to sturgeon and other fish-related work for the government and other consultants in our area.”

“My favorite bait is whatever is currently in season, in the river, that the sturgeon would be feeding on. Coarse fish such as pikeminnows and pea-mouth chub are available during the entire sturgeon season and work well throughout the season.

However, during certain times of the year, we experience migrations of specific fish species in large numbers that attract the attention of the sturgeon.

When this happens, the sturgeon will key in on these fish. This places other baits further down the priority list – these other baits will work, but not as effectively. For example, the Lower Fraser River sees a large migration of smelts, called eulachons, from late March to early May.

When these eulachons move into the Fraser to spawn, they do so in large numbers. This mass of fish is the main focus of the sturgeon’s diet during that time and will be the bait to use.

Other baits such as lamprey eel (early summer migration up the Fraser), sockeye salmon (summer), and chum roe (fall) are excellent baits throughout the season, but particularly during the timing of their presence in the river.”

Related: How to Fish for Sturgeon: A Complete Guide to a Huge Catch

Sturgeon Rigging Tips for Live Bait

Whichever bait you choose, bait fishing rigs for sturgeon are very similar.

Sturgeons have protrusible mouths meaning their lips extend to suck up food from the bottom of the water. In fact, it functions very much like the extension on a vacuum cleaner handle.

Since sturgeon are bottom feeders, we must ensure that baits stay near the bottom. Also, our hooks need to increase our chance of a solid connection with the fish.

Are you using herring for sturgeon bait? Do you have a secret sturgeon bait? Regardless, the best fishing rig when using live bait for sturgeon is a slip-sinker bottom rig.

You will need a combination of the following:

• Weights heavy enough to stay on the bottom
  • Popular weights include no-roll, pyramid, and egg sinkers
• Octopus hooks in sizes 3/0 to 5/0
• Barrel Swivels
• Beads
• Fluorocarbon leaders
• Sinker slides (if using pyramid sinkers)

Sturgeon bites are subtle. A bite is usually seen by a slight bend in the rod tip, a throbbing cadence different from the river, or the line moving across or against the direction of the current.

Since bites are light, the slip-sinker bottom rig telegraphs a gentle strike to the rod tip faster than a fixed-weight rig. This leads to more detected strikes and more fish in the boat.

Using octopus hooks instead of traditional J-hooks ensures that a hook sits firmly in the fish’s mouth. Sturgeons are known to jump out of the water and thrash. An octopus hook is designed to stay attached even in these aggressive attempts to escape.

A Sturgeon Guide’s Notes on Rigging Live Bait

Marc says, “When fishing with lamprey, eulachons, or coarse fish, I will tie the bait onto a J-hook using cotton or elasticated thread in a manner that the hook is fastened to the bait at the “downstream” end of the bait.

This keeps the bait straight so it will not spin against the current and twist the leader and keeps the hook well-positioned. (Not laying flat against the bait, but protruding away from the bait.)

When I am fishing salmon roe, I mostly fish the bait in a bait bag using nylons or fine mesh to avoid coarse fish eating the bait off the hook. I simply poke the hook through the roe bag.

When using fish strips, I will cut long narrow strips and simply hook the strip at the end of the fish strip onto a circle hook.

Virtually all sturgeon rigs utilize a sliding weight style rig above a quality swivel, with a leader of your choice (mono or braid/dacron) attached to the hook of your choice.”

What are sturgeon attracted to?

Similar to a catfish, sturgeon have barbels on the underside of their snout that they use to “taste” the water. These barbels detect certain chemicals in the water released by items they can eat.

This is why sturgeon anglers say that your bait has to be smelly.

However, sturgeon anglers also talk about the importance of having fresh bait. While a catfish loves to eat rotting, decomposing food items that are bloody and thick, sturgeon prefer live foods like crustaceans, worms, and fish.

What do sturgeon like to eat?

Sturgeon prefer to eat living crustaceans (like crayfish), mollusks (clams), and many kinds of bait fish.

The baits in this article are best when they are fresh. They are fatty and oily, meaning more scent dispersal in the water.

Overall, a sturgeon feeds by roaming just above the river bottom and drags its barbells over the surface. When they sense food, their mouths protrude and suck it up.

Sturgeons don’t have teeth. Instead, their powerful stomach muscles crush up any food that gets consumed.

Artificial Baits and Lures vs. Stink Baits and Live Baits

When deciding between lures or live bait for sturgeon, the clear winner is live bait. This is because it matches a sturgeon’s feeding habits, including where they feed, how they feed, and what they feed on.

A Sturgeon Guide’s Notes on Artificial vs. Live Baits

Marc says, “While sturgeon are known to take lures on occasion, the vast majority of sturgeon are caught using natural bait.

Sturgeons have an extremely keen sense of smell; therefore, natural bait attracts a fish far sooner than lures.

Sturgeons are generally found holding near or at the river bottom. Therefore, a static, natural bait laying on the bottom will provide the most effective presentation to hook a sturgeon.”

Where to Get Sturgeon Fishing Bait

Now that we know what bait to use when fishing for sturgeon, it’s time to get some!

There are several ways to source sturgeon bait.

The simple option: Local bait vendors

Many local bait stores carry most of the sturgeon bait in this article. If you can’t find these options alive, see if you can find the dates that the baits were frozen. Never use preserved baits as these scents are unnatural and mask or destroy the natural fats and oil that we want.

If they don’t sell this item, some vendors can special order baits. Ask them about special ordering sturgeon baits for your local sturgeon community. Chances are, they didn’t know there was a market for it and the shop may end up becoming your go-to for sturgeon bait.

The best option: Harvest sturgeon bait yourself

The best way to source fresh, live, healthy, and local sturgeon baits that will take your next trip to another level is to harvest it yourself. Check your local regulations when attempting to harvest your bait as some states have strict rules around this.

There are four primary ways:

1. Cast Netting

Cast netting involves throwing a large net over a school of baitfish and trapping them. You drag the cast net over to a bait bucket and shake it out.

2. Dip netting

Dip netting involves using a long-handled mesh net to scoop schools of baitfish out of the water. This is an excellent method for tightly schooling fish like shad and smelt.

3. Trapping

Trapping baitfish or other live bait involves using specialty fish traps that you can bait with dog food or bread. Some of these traps can be left overnight.

4. Hook and line

Finally, many baitfish, including shad and smelt can be caught using a traditional hook and line. Using small hooks, small pieces of worm, and a light rod, bait harvesting can feel like a micro-fishing trip before the main event!

Conclusion

The best bait for sturgeon is going to depend on many factors. The main things to consider are to match the bait to the local forage, make sure the bait is fresh, and keep it very close to or on the bottom of the lake or river.

Following these general rules will make sure your next sturgeon fishing adventure is full of lights-out action that ends in holding living dinosaurs in your hands!

Check our guide on Where to Catch Sturgeon.

The post Best Bait for Sturgeon: A Pro Fishing Guide Weighs In appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Thanks to conservation efforts, however, sturgeon have found refuge in many areas around the United States.

There are generally a lot of regulations and restrictions around sturgeon fishing. Short seasons, barbless hooks, and wet release requirements are a few of the rules you’ll need to commit to before attempting to reel in a dinosaur.

For the most part sturgeon fishing will be catch and release only, though a very limited harvest in some states. But that doesn’t make it any less fun.

Sturgeon fishing can be done both legally and responsibly. But first you need to know where to catch sturgeon.

Most sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they spawn in freshwater and migrate to saltwater. In North America, sturgeon primarily live in freshwater lakes or rivers. Deep rivers of the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes region generally offer the best sturgeon fishing opportunities in the US.

We have compiled a helpful list of where you can find and fish for sturgeon throughout the US. We have broken it up into three main areas: Pacific Northwest, Midwest & Great Lakes, and Other Areas in the US.

Where to Catch Sturgeon: Pacific Northwest

Some of the best sturgeon fishing in North America is found along the Columbia River, and its estuaries, in Oregon and Washington.

The white sturgeon, found along the West Coast, is the largest freshwater fish in North America. It is the largest sturgeon that you can catch, reaching lengths of 10-20 feet. They can weigh in at up to a whopping 2000 pounds. However, most are under 10 feet and weigh around 500 pounds.

You have many options to choose from when it comes to sturgeon fishing in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and beyond. Here we outline the best spots. Remember to check the regulations and current rules before you head out on a fishing trip.

Related: How to Fish for Sturgeon: A Complete Guide to a Huge Catch

Columbia River Estuary

The Columbia River is probably the best-known area for sturgeon fishing. And the Columbia River Estuary is thick with food for these beasts, so it has sturgeon all year round. But the most popular time to fish for them is during the late spring and early summer when the numbers are high and seasons open.

Here are a few spots to try:

• Astoria: There’s an area off the northwest shore of Astoria called Desdemona Sands. It’s a shallow area north of the deep shipping channel.
• Baker Bay: There are other shallow spots in this bay, near Chinook and Ilwaco, that are great for catching sturgeon and aren’t as challenging to get to.

Be sure you are mindful of other fishermen and be especially careful to stay out of the shipping channel and away from the big ships. They have the right-of-way and you should give them a wide berth.

Near Portland

If you are in the Portland/Vancouver area and want to get out sturgeon fishing, there are a lot of great areas to do so. Be prepared to have some crowds since you’re so close to two major cities. But this can be a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and try to find a dinosaur.

• Government Island, on the Washington side of the island
• Kelly Point Park area, at the mouth of the Willamette River
• Sauvie Island, on the tip of the island near Warrior Rock
• Scappoose Bay
• St. Helens

There are sturgeon in these areas year-round, but it’s best to fish for them during the colder and wetter months of November through March.

Bonneville Dam Area

The Bonneville Dam, on the Columbia River, has been a very popular site for sturgeon fishing for a long time. Due to the falling population, sturgeon fishing has become very heavily regulated in this area. Be sure to check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife site for updated rules and regulations.

Sturgeon fishing is only open for catch and release in this area, but don’t let that stop you. Fighting one of these huge fish is a rite of passage and a ton of fun. There are only certain dates and times it’s open, so check the website and book a trip.

Upper Colombia River

Portions of the Columbia River above the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington have opened to sturgeon fishing in recent years. This area is open under emergency regulations, so you will need to check fishing regulations regularly to be sure you are in compliance.

For the 2022 fishing season, this area was open from Grand Coulee Dam to China Bend Boat Ramp. It was declared open from June 18-September 30, 2022. Check for announcements regarding the 2023 season for white sturgeon.

Snake River

There are certain portions of the Snake River that are best for sturgeon fishing.

Southern Idaho: According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the best sturgeon fishing in the state is in and around C.J. Strike Reservoir. This 65-mile stretch of the Snake River is some of the best sturgeon fishing in the state.

“The healthiest populations of white sturgeon remaining in Idaho are found in the free-flowing stretch of the Snake River between the Bliss Dam and the upper end of C.J. Strike Reservoir in southern Idaho.” – IDFG

North/Central Idaho: Hells Canyon has produced some of the biggest sturgeon caught in Idaho. The most popular areas are between the Hells Canyon Dam in western Idaho down to Lower Granite Dam in eastern Washington.

Where to Catch Sturgeon: Midwest & Great Lakes

Like many areas of the US, commercial fishing and habitat loss lead to a decline in the population of sturgeon. With conservation efforts, numbers are now rebounding and sturgeon are returning to their native waters.

The midwestern US and Great Lakes regions have seen a great rebound in their sturgeon numbers. While this is a very large area, we have outlined a few spots for you to go find that monster sturgeon of your dreams.

You can have some success in the Greak Lakes, but you will see your opportunities increase the farther north you go. The more you can fish upriver, the more likely you will succeed.

Related: Best Bait for Sturgeon Fishing

The Rainy River

With the right gear and patience, anglers can find Lake Sturgeon in various spots in Minnesota. Some of the most successful areas are:

• The Rainy River
• 4 Mile Bay
• Lake of the Woods

In any of these areas, it’s best to fish in deep holes in the river. Position yourself just upstream from the hole to try to snag the sturgeon as they swim up current to feed.

The St. Croix River

This is a popular spot for Anglers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN area. Just 20 minutes east of St. Paul will get you into some great fishing spots on the river.

The season opens in June, but the fishing won’t be great until the temperature starts to cool off. When the fall temperatures of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit kick in, you know it’s time to head to the river.

Where to Catch Sturgeon: Other Areas of the US

We have listed some of the areas with the largest sturgeon populations. But this is by no means an exhaustive list. Here are some additional areas you could look into if you’re looking to fish for sturgeon closer to where you live.

• Missouri River
• Upper, Mid- and Lower-Mississippi River
• Mississippi Delta
• Gulf Coast
• San Francisco Bay Area, California

Conclusion

Sturgeon fishing is a thrill of a lifetime. These monsters will give you a run for your money. If you are able to reel one in, you will have a souvenir photo like none other.

Regulations vary widely depending on where you go, the time of year, and the type of sturgeon. So, be sure to check with the local fish and game office before you head out.

The post Where to Catch Sturgeon: Rivers, Lakes & Oceans by US Region appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

While many people think of koi as inedible fish because of their beauty, they can actually be as delicious and nutritious as other types of carp. Koi fish can be enjoyed in many ways, including grilled, baked, and boiled.

There are some misconceptions about eating koi fish, so here’s what you need to know before trying this colorful fish.

What Are Koi Fish?

Koi fish is a species of Japenese carp. Centuries of careful breeding have resulted in hundreds of gorgeous color patterns for koi fish. This distinct coloration is why they are so popular for indoor and outdoor ponds. These fish can be white, black, yellow, or orange and often have multiple colors to create stunning patterns.

Koi fish were originally bred to serve as a food source. The carp species thrived in environments such as rice paddies, and because koi fish are sturdy and easy to take care of, they became an easy food source for Japanese rice farmers.

Over time, koi fish became an integral part of Japanese culture, but not because of their meat. They became more important for their symbolism than for their calories.

In Japan, koi fish symbolize long life and good fortune. They are often compared to legendary Samarai warriors because of their natural strength and perseverance. Each color variation has its symbolic value, but the species is said to bring good luck.

The fish may be popular pets for ponds in America, but they have more significance in Japan. 

Is It Safe To Eat Koi Fish?

If you plan to eat koi fish, you must be mindful of how it is prepared.

Like any other type of fish, undercooked koi can cause digestive problems. Bacteria and parasites are sometimes found on koi fish scales, so it’s important to use gloves when handling them.

Koi also tend to have higher levels of mercury than other species of fish, so it’s not a good idea to consume them regularly. However, indulging in koi occasionally can be a delicious addition to your diet.

In America, there is a misconception that koi are less nutritious than other types of fish because they feed on anything they find at the bottom of the pond. This bottom-feeding lifestyle has earned them a reputation as trash fish when it comes to consuming them.

While koi are considered bottom feeders, you don’t have to worry about them having an odd taste. However, you do need to make sure that the fish you eat has been properly descaled and cooked thoroughly so you can avoid getting sick after eating it.

Koi fish sourced from a koi farm typically have better diets than those caught in the wild. However, the taste probably won’t vary much.

As long as you pay attention to how your koi is cooked and prepared, the fish is perfectly safe to eat. It can be a delicacy for people who have adventurous palates and want to try foreign cuisine.

What Do Koi Fish Taste Like?

While koi fish were originally bred in Japan, they can be found in many Asian countries, and they often taste different depending on where they were raised. In general, koi fish has a mild flavor and tends to take on the smell and flavor of any spices or seasonings it is cooked with.

When cooked properly, the meat of a koi fish is white or light pink and is tender and soft. It can be savory or sweet depending on what foods the fish consumed before it was hooked and how you seasoned it. It has a light, soft texture that some people compare to biting into a piece of caramel candy.

Some people describe koi fish as having a slightly nutty flavor. This usually comes from koi raised in captivity and can be attributed to the type of food they were fed. Wild koi do not typically have this nutty flavor when cooked. This provides a unique flavor experience depending on how the koi fish was sourced.

How Do You Prepare Koi Fish?

Koi can be prepared in many of the same ways as other types of fish. One common way to cook koi fish is to boil it. Add the fish to a pot of boiling water and then mix it with your desired seasonings and some fresh vegetables. The fish will taste different depending on which combinations you use.

You can also cut koi fish into tiny pieces and place it in a stir fry dish with fresh vegetables or noodles. Grilling and baking are also popular cooking methods for koi fish.

Regardless of how you choose to prepare the dish, the seasonings you choose to use will have a huge impact on the flavor. Make sure not to overcook koi fish to maintain the light, delicate texture.

Koi are often served with a light sauce that enhances the inherent flavor of the fish. If the sauce is lightweight and creamy and features delicate flavors it won’t overpower the meat.

Are Koi Fish Expensive?

Koi are much more expensive than many other types of fish. They are the most costly species of pet fish. In general, you can expect to spend $50 to $150 on a single fish to place in an indoor or outdoor pond. More well-bred varieties can cost more than $10,000.

Brightly colored koi are more expensive than those that are black or white.

Koi are now largely bred for ponds and not for food. So their value is due to their ability to brighten up a space and be a long-term pet with cultural significance. They are much more expensive than you would usually spend on a quick fish meal.

Why Would You Want To Try Koi Fish?

If you enjoy eating other types of fish, you may have wondered if you can eat koi fish. Many people think of koi as similar to goldfish and do not want to eat them due to their brightly colored scales, but koi are delicious when they are prepared properly.

You may want to try them just for the experience of sampling a new food that is found in another culture. Eating koi as part of a meal is found in several different countries throughout Asia. If you want to get the full cultural experience during your travels, you may want to try different types of food.

Why Would You Not Want To Eat Koi Fish?

If you don’t like other types of seafood, especially any other white fish like tilapia or halibut, you may not have any desire to try koi fish. You may also not want to eat this type of fish because it has such a gorgeous coloration.

The coloring of koi fish makes it a popular pet for indoor and outdoor ponds, and people are often put off by the idea of eating something that looks like a pet.

Another reason that you may not want to eat koi is that this type of fish is known to be super intelligent. Fish in general are thought to have more intelligence than many other animals, and koi can be trained in various ways.

They learn which times they are fed and can often be found at the pond’s surface before you approach to feed them. They are even known to recognize the sight of the people who feed them. This intelligence makes them great pets and may make you feel funny about eating them.

If you have an adventurous palate and are curious about eating koi fish, you may want to sample the dish. And as long as you can get past their beautiful coloring and obvious intelligence, koi fish are definitely safe to eat.

The thought that koi fish are inedible is a popular misconception. Sampling the meat is a great way to gain a unique insight into the Japanese culture and learn why the fish is so important. Whether you prefer to enjoy looking at koi swimming in a pond or sample them in a new dish, koi fish are sure to delight you.

Recommended if you want to catch another fish to eat:

Beginner’s Fishing Gear Guide

Beginner’s Guide 101: What Are the Best Times of Day to Go Fishing?

Why Fishing Makes You a Healthier, Happier Person

The post Can You Eat Koi Fish? appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Ever wondered what the world record largemouth bass is? The story might be more interesting than you think.

All-Time World Record Largemouth Bass

George W. Perry, credited with the world record for eight decades, made his famous catch on June 2nd of 1932, on Lake Montgomery in Georgia. 

The International Game Fish Association would not be formed for another seven years, and it didn’t release its first World Record Marine Fishes edition until 1971. This left Perry without any official recognition for his feat for several years.

The world record largemouth bass length was reported to be 32.5 inches long and 28.5 inches around. It weighed 22 pounds 4 ounces, according to a local postal scale. 

Field & Stream magazine was the best-known keeper of records back then, but it didn’t start tracking world records until two years later. Fortunately for Perry, he had entered and won a Field & Stream contest that eventually led to his catch being declared the magazine’s world record for largemouth bass. However many questions remain surrounding the circumstances, evidence, and testimony that lead to Perry’s world record fish.

The IGFA currently lists the all-tackle world record for largemouth bass as a tie between Perry and Japanese angler Manabu Kurita.

Kurita caught his record-tying fish on Lake Biwa, near Kyoto, Japan. At 22 pounds 4.97 ounces, Kurita’s fish was almost an ounce heavier than Perry’s; however, the IFGA requires fish that weigh 25 pounds or less to be at least two ounces heavier to break a standing world record. Thus, the two fish are considered tied.

Unofficial World Record Largemouth Bass

If you think the stories behind the official world record largemouth bass are strange, wait until you hear about Dottie! 

This fish tale begins with three men, Jed Dickerson, Mac Weakley, and Mike Winn, who were on an early 2000’s mission to catch the world’s largest largemouth bass. On March 19, 2006, the three friends spotted a 25 lb female largemouth bass, known as Dottie, in Dixon Lake in California.

The lake was about to close, so the trio rented a campsite to pursue Dottie first thing in the morning. The three men were able to locate the giant fish the next morning and took turns casting for her. 

Weakley landed the lunker, but much to his dismay, she was foul-hooked. Because he set the hook on the outside of Dottie’s mouth, the catch was not eligible for the official world record.

The friends put Dottie on the scale before returning her to the water. She weighed in at 25.1 pounds, which would have shattered the official world record largemouth bass of 22 pounds 4 ounces, currently held jointly by George Perry and Manabu Kurita. 

Even still, Dottie became a legend, and in the years that followed, anglers came from all over the world to try and hook her right. Dixon Lake officials reported the death of the unofficial world’s largest largemouth bass in 2008.

Related: Best Spinning Reels for Bass Fishing Reviewed

State Record Largemouth Bass

Those world records are pretty impressive, but perhaps you’re interested in knowing about the largest fish caught in your favorite fishing state. These are a few of the current state records.

Florida

Florida is one of the most popular states for bass fishing. In August 1986, Billy O’Berry landed the current state record-holder in a Polk County lake that has since dried up. The fish weighed 17.27 pounds. 

Florida also has a pair of unofficial record holders. W.A. Witt pulled a 19-pound bass out of Lake Tarpon in Pinellas County in the 1940s. There is also photographic evidence of a legendary 20.13-pound fish caught by Frederick Friebel in 1923. Both of these fish were caught before the Florida Fish, and Wildlife Conservation Commission started keeping records, though Friebel’s catch is listed in the record books with an asterisk.

California

California is another popular destination for bass fishing. We already talked about the unofficial record set by Mac Weakley at over 25 pounds. The official state record belongs to Michael Arujo of Santa Monica. He caught a 21 pound 12-ounce bass on Castaic Lake at the main boat ramp in Los Angeles County on March 5, 1991.

He landed the big fish on a six-inch Renosky Super Shad lure and a 15-pound test line. The bass measured 28.5 inches in length and had a 26.5-inch girth. His catch eclipsed the former record of 21 pounds 3 ounces held by Raymond Easley.

Texas

They say everything is bigger in Texas, so you’d expect the state record fish to be among the top catches in the world. At 18 pounds 2.8 ounces, the state record fish caught by Barry St. Clair lacks a few pounds on the nation’s top catches but is still pretty impressive. 

The bass caught on January 2nd, 1992, measured 25.5 inches. St. Clair hauled in the fish on Lake Fork, which boasts 36 of the top 50 bass in the state. St. Clair hooked the lunker using a live minnow at a depth of about 42 feet. He used a Berkley lightning rod and a Shimano bait reel with a 14-pound test line.

How World Records are Decided

The IGFA is currently considered the authority on fishing world records. To qualify for the world record largemouth bass, fish must be caught according to the IGFA International Angling Rules.

Average Size of a Largemouth Bass

An average largemouth bass is about 13 inches long. Weight varies considerably, with fish in the southern latitudes being larger than fish caught further north.

In most of the United States, a 2-3 pound bass would be considered a good catch, and anything over five pounds would be a potential tournament winner. Most anglers consider trophy fish to be anything 10 pounds and above, though this varies by state, with the largest fish usually being caught in the Southern United States.

If you decide to search for your own world record largemouth bass, follow good etiquette. Because most of the largest bass are females, catch-and-release is highly encouraged to protect the future of this popular sport fish.

The post World Record Largemouth Bass (Official and Unofficial) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

Well, to be honest, you are not alone. Even veteran bass anglers have a difficult time when it comes to picking their first spinning reel after a year or so of using a baitcaster.

To assist you, we have compiled a list of key features you should look for and even a list of the top candidates in several commonly searched categories.

Having reviewed many of the reels available and taking into account the important features outlined above, we have compiled examples of the best bass spinning reels available.

There are six spinning reels, each representing a particular category. We are sure that one of these will meet your specific requirements. If you’re new to bass fishing and haven’t used a baitcast reel before, we recommend you start out with a spinning reel.

If you are still searching after you read this, hopefully the information we’ve provided makes that search more productive.

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The 7 Top Bass Reels Of 2021: Outdoor Empire Reviews

These are our top recommendations for bass spinning reels of 2021:

1. Best overall: Get the Shimano Stradic CI4
2. Get the Abu Garcia Revo Premier Spinning Reel
3. Best value for the money: Get the Abu Garcia Revo 2 SX40 
4. Get the Pflueger Supreme XT Spinning Reel
5. Best under $100 #1: Get the Shimano Spirex FG
6. Best under $100 #2: Get the Penn Battle II
7. Best rod and reel combo: Get the Abu Garcia Revo SX / Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Spinning Combo

*Looking for a specific feature? Check out our quick-reference chart below:

Product	Shimano Stradic CI4	Abu Garcia Revo SX	Shimano Spirex FG
Model	STCI44000XGFB	REVO2SX40	SR1000FG
Weight	8.1 oz	9.2 oz	8.8 oz
Max Drag	24 lbs	17 lbs	7 lbs
Line Capacity (Mono)	8/240 10/200 12/160	230/10	2/270 4/140 6/110
Line Capacity (Braided)	15/280 30/170 50/150	250/14	10/95 15/85 20/65
Bearing	6+1	9	5
Material	Carbon	Carbon	Graphite, aluminum (spool)
Cost	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

1. Best Overall Reels For Bass Fishing: Shimano Stradic CI4

Shimano is an undisputed leader in the fishing industry, and the original Stradic was one of their most popular models. But that wasn’t enough, so they took it a step further with the CI4.

CI stands for Carbon Infusion, a Shimano-specific version of reinforced carbon.

What makes this so popular and the Stradic so impressive is this carbon retains both strength and weight almost 25% less than the competitor. The lack of metal components also means the reel is almost entirely corrosion resistance.

The carbon body is not the only innovation either. The X-Ship gear, which provides support at both ends and ensures the gears remain aligned under heavy strain, improves performance and reduces wear & tear.

Add the Paladin Gear system comprised of a cold forged aluminum drive gear and hardened brass pinion gear, and you have one of the smoothest actions available – both out of the box and years down the road.

Add a high line capacity compatible with both mono and braid, and you have a tool suited for tackling any bass you may encounter.

This reel was designed to provide a lightweight, finesse reel able to be fished for long periods without undo fatigue and Shimano delivered. You will be hard pressed to find a better, more reliable reel anywhere else.

Specs

Weight: 8.1 ounces
Bearings: 6+1
Max Drag: 24 lbs
Line Capacity (Mono): 8/240, 10/200, 12/160
Line Capacity (Braided): 15/280, 30/170, 50/150
Material(s): Carbon

2. Abu Garcia Revo Premier Spinning Reel

The Abu Garcia Revo SX may be the best spinning reel for the money, but if the price is not a factor, most anglers would agree that the Revo Premier Spinning Reel line doesn’t have many legitimate competitors.

The Revo Premier features a super-rigid IM-C6 carbon body, a C6 carbon rotor, and the computer-optimized AMGearing system, so that it is not only strong and durable but performs like the kind of precision fishing instrument serious anglers want.

It also features an 11+1 gear system, an aircraft-grade aluminum shaft and a braid-ready, machined aluminum spool.

But while the Revo Premier comes equipped with some desirable features, the thing most anglers will notice first about the reel is its ability to improve your casting range.

Equipped with Abu Garcia’s Rocket Line Management System and Rocket Lip Spool, you’ll find that line – whether you like to use monofilament, fluorocarbon or braid – will pour off the spool effortlessly as you launch your lure into the next zip code.

Specs

Weight: 6.4 oz
Bearings: 12
Max Drag: 10 lbs
Line Capacity (Mono): 6/110
Line Capacity (Braided): 6/150
Material(s): carbon

3. Best Bass Reels For The Money

Abu Garcia Revo SX

$129.99

View on Amazon View at Bass Pro Shops

08/15/2023 09:10 pm GMT

Abu Garcia has a winning design with the Revo SX bait caster, so they decided to take this same innovation to the spinning side of the house.

The insert molded carbon body, one piece aluminum gear box, and aluminum braid ready spool were all designed to catch big fish time after time.

In addition to the near weightless, zero flex body, you will also receive one of the top line management systems available today.

The Rocket Spool Lip and Everlast Bail allow the line to lay flat regardless of lure or technique used, eliminating troublesome backlashes and allowing for maximum casting distance.

With over 200 yds. of line capacity, you will never worry about hitting the bottom if your next hog does decide to run shore to shore.

The drag is a perfect combination of power and finesse. Whether you are muscling a bass away from cover, dropping a weightless worm through weeds or fighting that last ditch run the smooth, a steady drag shows no hesitation, no hang-up and very few broken lines.

If you can only buy one reel and need it to not only perform but also last for a lifetime, you really cannot go wrong with the Revo SX.

Specs

Weight: 9.2 ounces
Bearings: 9
Max Drag: 17 lbs
Line Capacity (Mono): 230/10
Line Capacity (Braided): 250/14
Material(s): Carbon

4. Pflueger Supreme XT Spinning Reel

No matter what price point you are looking for, it is important to get good value for your fishing-gear dollar.

And although the Pflueger Supreme XT Spinning Reel doesn’t qualify for the title of Best Reel Under $100, it provides incredible value and should be affordable for most anglers.

The Pflueger XT is well-suited for most fishing styles and tackle, and it is available in four different models to suit your specific preferences.

Made with a magnesium body, frame and side plate, the Pflueger XT is designed to be very lightweight, without compromising on strength and durability.

The Pflueger Supreme XT comes features a carbon inlay drag design and comes with a sealed carbon-fiber system – in fact, you can even use the Supreme XT in saltwater if you like.

It also features all of the high-quality components – including a solid-aluminum bail wire, lightweight carbon handle and EVA knobs – that you’d expect of such a high-quality reel.

Specs

Weight: 6 oz
Bearings: 9
Max Drag: 8 lbs
Line Capacity (Mono): 4/110
Line Capacity (Braided): 6/140
Material(s): Carbon

5. Best Under $100 #1

Shimano Spirex FG

$75.27

View on Amazon View at Bass Pro Shops

08/15/2023 09:50 pm GMT

It is hard to believe that this reel costs less than $100, especially when you see that it includes many of the same Shimano features also found on other models costing more several times this.

The graphite frame, sideplate and rotor over an excellent combination of weight and strength. The aluminum spool which is braid ready offers the ability to house a wide variety of line sizes including a whopping 30-pound braid.

These features alone exceed those found on most low-cost reels, but there is far more to the Spirex.

The one handed Quikfire II casting system makes line management a breeze and even increases casting accuracy. Retrievals are just as quick and smooth time after time due to the Varispeed Oscillation and Fluid Drive.

All these weigh 8.8 ounces, a bit more than optimal but average for a lower end design.

For added comfort, designers have utilized a double paddle handle, commonly used on baitcasters rather than spinning reels, which may be unconventional but makes winding in those long cast as easy as one could expect.

All in all, the Spirex suffers from very few of the pitfalls one would expect from an “Under $100” reel while providing many options you would expect to pay far more for.

Specs

Weight: 8.8 ounces
Bearings: 5
Drag: 7 lbs
Line Capacity (Mono): 2/270,4/140,6/110
Line Capacity (Braided): 10/95,15/85,20/65
Material(s): Graphite, aluminum (spool)

6. Best Under $100 #2: Penn Battle II

The Penn Battle II line has made quite the name for itself among saltwater anglers. Much of what they love about it also makes the Penn Battle II an excellent bass reel.

The durable, all-metal body will stand up to years of abuse, provide better gear alignment and require less maintenance. It also includes the Penn Drag System, with two washers in the spool, one on each side, for a smoother start and increased range.

Of course, it also includes Penn Grease for longer life. A rubber gasket on the spool prevents line slippage, even when using a braided line, which eliminates the need for backing. The Battle II is available in eight sizes, and each can be used by right- or left-handed anglers.

PROS

• Full-body metal construction
• Sealed against water and debris
• Dual carbon-fiber washer Penn Drag System
• No backing needed when using braided line

CONS

• A bit heavy

Bass anglers looking for a top-notch reel that outperforms reels costing far more will be glad they gave the Penn Battle II a chance. See what has saltwater anglers so excited and how it can assist you in catching bass too.

7. Best Rod and Reel Combo for Bass Fishing

Abu Garcia Revo SX / Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Spinning Combo

View at Bass Pro Shops

Many preassembled combos try to keep the cost low by including a substandard reel with a premium rod.

But, if you want a very high-quality combo, you’ll want to pick one that not only features a high-quality rod and, but a high-quality reel too.

Picking a combo that features the Abu Garcia Revo SX spinning reel allows you to do exactly that, and it doesn’t hurt that this particular combo comes with a very high-quality rod – the Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 – too.

We’ve discussed the Revo SX (and recommended it) above, but the CarbonLite 2.0 is a very impressive rod in its own right.

Based around an RT4 graphite blank, and featuring Fuji FaZlite guides, this rod is both durable and sensitive enough to satisfy even the pickiest anglers.

The Abu Garcia / Johnny Morris Combo comes in a wide variety of lengths, actions, powers and reel sizes so that you can pick the best setup for your needs.

Specs

Weight: 7.7 oz
Bearings: 7+1
Max Drag: 22 lbs
Line Capacity (Mono): 4/230
Line Capacity (Braided): 15/230
Material(s): Carbon

View at Bass Pro Shops

Looking for a good tube fishing rod? Here are three of our best tube rod recommendations.

Background & Rise Of Spin Reels

Not too long ago, bass fishing was dominated by baitcasters. Every pro had a boat deck littered with rods, and each included the latest baitcasters available.

Amateurs took their cue from their favorite pros and followed suit. Spinning reels were pushed to the rear of the closet, tucked deep in the tackle bag and mostly forgotten.

They never really went away, saved for other species or when friends need to borrow gear, but they were mostly removed from the bass fishing arena.

Then pros changed their tune. More and more anglers on the numerous tournament trails realized that there was a place for the spinning reel.

While the baitcaster is ideal for achieving distance or pulling hogs from thick cover, the spinning reel is a better choice when it comes to finessing fish to strike.

Walking a weedless worm through cover or pitching a lightweight lure for timid feeders and you will want a quality spinner available.

But you need to make sure the spinning reel is up to the task at hand. As the popularity of spin fishing has increased, so have the selections available.

Almost every reel makers offer spin models, sometimes several each season. There are dozens of features available in spinning reels, but not all are a top concern when bass fishing.

You need to select a brand and model designed to provide the finesse needed to hook big bass and the backbone necessary to land them. And since you are not sponsored with an endless supply of tackle at your fingertips, you probably want it to last for many seasons to come.

Important Choosing Factors

Construction

Bass fishing can be hard on your equipment, and each piece needs to be up to the task — capable of withstanding vibrations from long boat rides, harsh changes in temperature and being banged around on a regular basis.

Then there are the fish to consider.

Some of the reasons bass are such a popular gamefish are their ability to grow BIG and extreme fighting ability. Hook a 5+ pound bruiser to the other end of your line and your reel needs to hold its own. If you compromised, you will lose.

The best bass reels are made from aluminum, graphite or the new comer carbon composite material.

• Aluminum tends to be stronger and provides a tighter fit.
• Graphite is lighter and provides extra corrosion protection.
• Carbon composites are growing in popularity and can provide the best of both worlds, especially if they are molded.

Regardless of which material you select, it should be well fitted with no loose parts, and everything should move smoothly — think well-oiled machine.

Although weight may take a second seat to durability, it is still an important consideration as you will be casting, reeling and casting over and over again. Every extra ounce will feel like a pound before long.

Drag

Everyone talks about the reel’s drag but very few ever explain exactly what they are looking for. When it comes to bass reels, you want the main features – smooth and strong.

• Strength will allow you get that little extra “ump” needed when setting the hook or stopping a bass when he makes a last minute run for his life.
• Smoothness prevents the line from hanging up and possibly snapping under the pressure of the hook set or life-saving run. It also allows you to achieve the light action finesse needed to get the most out of your lighter crank baits, weightless worms, and smaller jigs.

The best spinning reels utilize a front-end drag comprised of multiple drag washers which are either greased or sealed to protect against corrosion and debris.

Regarding drag amount, you will want to look for a maximum greater than the weight of the fish you expect to land (8-10 lbs. for bass).

Spool

As with the body, most spools are constructed of aluminum or graphite, although some manufacturers are experimenting with carbon as well.

Again, aluminum tends to be stronger while graphite is lighter and carbon offers better strength than the latter and better weight than the former.

More important in weight is whether or not your spool is rated for use with a braided line which is a must for targeting big bass.

Not only must the spool material be capable of handling braided line, but it should also be “braided line ready” — meaning it can be spooled without the need for backing.

Line Capacity

Bass fishing routinely involves long casts and even longer runs. Unfortunately, it can also mean broken lines due to snags or fish who better you. All of these mean the possibility your need to have plenty of line on hand.

The line capacity will be readily listed on any reel, usually on the spool itself, as well as in the user’s manual. This capacity will be listed for both monofilament and braided line and include several different line diameters.

Your bass reel should have the ability to accept 3 or 4 different size monofilament lines as well as their braided counterparts.

You might also be interested in our spinning reel 101 guide.

The post 7 Best Spinning Reels for Bass Fishing Reviewed (Hands-on Guide) appeared first on Outdoor Empire.

They are even used by anglers trolling for walleye or trying to catch largemouth bass in weed-choked ponds.  

And while no bait works 100% of the time, worms are certainly one of the best options to try in most freshwater fishing situations.

But, to get the best results, you’ll need to select the right worms for your target species and the conditions, store them properly to keep them lively and fresh, and then use the right kind of tackle to tempt the local fish into biting.  

We’ll discuss these things and more below, so you can maximize the value these awesome baits provide and catch more (and bigger) fish.   

Species Selection: What’s on the Menu? 

All worms are not created equally, and some work better in some circumstances than others (incidentally, many of the things anglers call “worms” are not technically worms, but that’s not important for our purposes here).  

If you want the best chance of success, you’ll need to select the right worm for the occasion. Some of the most popular types of worms include the following: 

Nightcrawlers 

The big boy of bait worms, the nightcrawler is perhaps the most popular worm used by anglers. Nightcrawler packaged for sale as bait are usually quite large and brown to gray in color.

Because of their size, they generally elicit the attention of larger gamefish, such as bass, catfish and walleyes, and you’ll need a fairly large hook to support their bulk.

Some anglers use nightcrawlers to catch panfish or trout, but it is typically necessary to use only a small piece of a nightcrawler when doing so, as intact nightcrawlers are generally to large and intimidating for fish with small mouths.  

Red Wigglers 

Named for their color and habit of writhing about incessantly, red wigglers are the worm of choice for those fishing for panfish or trout.

Red wigglers (which are also called red worms or composting worms) are often farmed for use in vermiculture, so they can occasionally be obtained in bulk from non-traditional retail routes.

Red wigglers can vary a bit in size, so large individuals are occasionally effective for catching bass.  

Mealworms 

Mealworms aren’t really worms, they are the larval form of the mealworm beetle – if you look closely, you’ll see that mealworms have three sets of legs like all insects do. But fish don’t care what humans call them; they simply find them delicious.

Mealworms are typically used to catch small-mouthed fish, such as panfish and trout, but they’ll elicit attention from small bass at times.

While most mealworms packaged for use as bait have reached their maximum size, you can often find smaller mealworms packaged for sale as food for lizards and other types of small pets.  

Waxworms 

Like mealworms, wax worms are actually insects; they are the larval form of small moths.

Waxworms have a high fat content, which makes them especially appealing bait for many fish. Waxworms are rather short, but they have plump little bodies, and they are typically used to catch panfish.  

Leeches  

Despite their name and blood-sucking habits, leeches are actually a type of worm. Naturally common in many aquatic habitats, many fish species make a habit of eating leeches on a regular basis.

Leeches can be obtained in a variety of sizes, although fairly large ones are most common, so they are typically used to catch walleye, bass and catfish.  

Storing Your Worms: Keep Them Fresh while You Fish 

You can occasionally catch fish with dead or dried worms, but you’ll find that live, wiggling worms are much more appealing to gamefish. Fresh, live worms will not only attract the attention of fish visually, they’ll also disperse more scent into the water too.  

Accordingly, you’ll want to keep your worms as fresh and lively as possible. Fortunately, it isn’t very hard to do so, and you can often keep a cup full of worms alive for several different fishing trips if you are careful.  

The most important things to do are to keep the worms cool and appropriately moist. Ideally, you’d have access to a small refrigerator or cooler in which you could keep the worms while you are fishing, but this isn’t always the case.

If this isn’t possible, just keep the worms refrigerated until the last possible moment, and then keep them in the coolest, shadiest place you can.  

It is also important to keep the dirt in the worm cup moist, to prevent the worms from drying out (note that this is not appropriate for mealworms and wax worms, which are typically packaged in grains or wood shavings – they should be kept dry).

The easiest way to keep the worms from drying out is to simply keep the top securely attached at all times.

If you notice that the dirt is drying out a bit, you can add a few drops of water to the cup. Just avoid oversaturating the soil, as this will force the worms to the surface and will eventually cause them to die.  

Baiting the Hook: Preparing an Appetizing Offering 

To ensure the worm looks as natural as possible, you’ll want to use the lightest possible line when fishing with them.

Monofilament or fluorocarbon line in the 4- to 6-pound-test range is ideal for panfish and trout, but you’ll need to use 6- to 10-pound-test to catch big bass, catfish or walleyes.  

There are a variety of different hook styles you can use for worms, but circle hooks and traditional bait-keeper hooks (which often have metal tabs that will keep the bait in place) are the two most popular choices.

Circle hooks are often very effective for catching panfish and other species which tend to nibble, rather than inhale, baits. Bait-keeper hooks are a better choice when catching bass or walleye with nightcrawlers or big red wigglers.  

Hook size selection is as much of an art as it is a science, but the following sizes will give you a good starting point: 

• Nightcrawlers: #2 to 2/0 
• Red Wigglers: #12 to #4 
• Mealworms: #12 to #6 
• Waxworms: #12 to #6 
• Leeches: #2 to 1/0 

– Nightcrawlers are best hooked through the middle (wacky style) when fishing for bass or catfish, but they are better hooked through the head when fishing for walleye.

– Hook red wigglers by threading them on the hook several times and leaving an inch or two dangling from the end (nightcrawlers can also be hooked in this manner if you are targeting panfish).

– Mealworms and wax worms are best hooked by threading them on the hook from front to back, and only allowing the tip of the hook to protrude.

– Leeches should be hooked through the suction cup to keep them alive and make them look natural.  

In addition to using suitable fishing line and hooks, you’ll want to use a good rig for your bait, and it is imperative that you use one that will present the bait where your target fish are lurking.

For example, if you are fishing for bluegill or other panfish, you’ll want to keep the worm fairly high in the water column, where these types of fish hang out.

Conversely, you’ll want to keep the bait near the bottom if you are fishing for catfish or walleye. A float-based rig is a good choice in the former case, while a sinker rig will be the better choice in the latter case.  

Float Rigs 

To set up a simple float rig, tie a small bait hook on the end of your line (match the size of the hook to the type of worm you are using) and clip a float about 12 to 24 inches above the hook.

Clamp a few pieces of split shot between the hook and the float to keep the rig stable, and you are ready to go.  

However, this type of simple float rig is only practical when the fish are only a foot or two beneath the surface. It isn’t easy to cast and control a 5-, 10- or 15-foot-long leader, so you’ll need to use a slip float rig instead.

A slip float rig relies on a hollow-core float, through which the line can pass.

You’ll put a stopper near the point at which you want the float to stop, which will allow you to reel in most of your line to cast, yet it will allow the worm to sink down to the desired depth before the float stops sliding up the line.  

Sinker Rigs 

You can set up a simple sinker rig much like you’d set up a simple float rig.

Just select a sinker large enough to keep the bait on the bottom (a ¼-ounce sinker is generally sufficient for shallow water that is only a few feet deep, but you may need a ½- to 1-ounce sinker to get the bait on the bottom in deep water).

Tie the sinker on the line about 2 feet from a bait hook, which you’ve attached to the end of the line.  

While such simple sinker rigs can be effective, some fish will spit out the bait when they feel the resistance the sinker imparts on the line.

To avoid this problem, use a slip-sinker rig, which will let the line flow freely once the fish takes the bait. You can rig a slip sinker the same way you would a slip float, but you’ll want to use a swivel rather than a rubber stopper between the bait and the sinker.  

Final Thoughts 

Worms are a very effective fish bait, and they aren’t hard to find or use. Most bait shops (and some big box retailers) carry a few different varieties, which gives you the chance to experiment and find the best option on a given day.  

What types of worms do you like to use when fishing? We’d love to hear about your preferences. Tell us your “go to” worm for various fishing situations and be sure to share any special tips you may have.  

The post Best Baitworms For Fishing: Selection, Storage and Presentation  appeared first on Outdoor Empire.