Catching sturgeon is done almost always from a boat at anchor. And the exclusive approach is still fishing.
Because of this, it’s important to drop your bait in a promising location. There are prime sturgeon fishing spots throughout the bays and Delta.
Winter to early spring offers the most consistent sturgeon action in San Francisco Bay and the Delta, especially once water temperatures fall into the mid-50s, which sturgeon seem to favor for feeding before spawning begins. The combination of cooler water and strong tidal currents helps concentrate fish near channel edges and deeper holes.
Tidal swings around big springs and neaps set the pace. Anglers often do best starting their drift or anchoring just before an incoming tide slackens, letting the current push bait past lazy but hungry sturgeon.
Late spring through summer can still yield fish, though the bite often slows as waters warm into the 60s and beyond. Targeting cooler, deeper areas or moving with the ebb tide near breaks in the bay can keep you in the game by following the fish into their staging grounds.
Spawning runs usually peak in late winter. While summer trips can be productive, the most reliable sturgeon are found when the estuary is cool, tidal energy is high, and the fish are visibly on the move toward their spawning creeks.
Catching sturgeon is best on a strong, incoming tide and at the turning of this tide. Most sturgeon are caught in 10-20 feet of water, often at drop-offs.
Electronic fish finders are very helpful in locating these contours and actually “seeing” the sturgeon themselves. But many sturgeon are caught by anglers who don’t have depth finders.
Try a location. Move on in half an hour if there is no action.
Sturgeon are bottom feeders. In fact, their mouths hover over the bottom and literally suction or vacuum in the food, so bait must be right on the bottom.
A sturgeon’s initial bite is very soft, which dictates two things:
Many sturgeon anglers cast out or lower in their offering, tighten up the line after the bait sinks to the bottom, and then lean the rod against the transom of the boat (the rod butt on the floor). Then, when a tap is detected, the angler lifts the rod up and points the tip directly at the fish.
A big pull means to set the hook hard. Several pumps are probably in order.
Sturgeons have tough mouths.
Getting the initial run under control means keeping the rod tip high, easing the drag until you feel the surge, and letting the fish burn its pack of energy before tightening down. If the sturgeon comes screaming downstream, point the bow upstream and feather the spool so you don’t snap off a worn section of line.
When the beast finally tires, slip the boat’s anchor into the grass or rocky bottom - don’t snap it tight. Use that planted anchor as a brake to keep the fish from charging back into structure while you slowly gain line.
Avoid jumping across the boat to chase the tail. Move deliberately, keep your body out of the way of the swinging rod, and feed line as needed so you never let pressure spike on an old knot.
When the creature is within reach, have a partner guide the leader under the jaw. Use a rubberized gaff or cradled net, and hoist straight up from the centerline so you don’t twist its spine while bringing it alongside.
Of the 16 species of sturgeon, two live in local waters (San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, Suisun Bay, the Delta, Sacramento River). Green sturgeon (sometimes locally referred to as yellow) are the least prevalent.
Greens have long slender snouts and grow to about 7 feet in length and 350 pounds. White sturgeon (actually grey) have a more blunt nose and can grow even larger.
The white sturgeon is the largest fish found in North America fresh waters. And this prehistoric species has a lifespan of over 100 years.
Sturgeons are bottom feeders with a diet consisting of clams, grass shrimp, crabs and herring roe.
California’s sturgeon fishing regulations include slot limits and size restrictions designed to protect breeding-size fish. Anglers must release sturgeon below and above certain lengths to keep juveniles and large spawners in the water.
Catch-and-release practices are encouraged, often mandatory for protected groups. Anglers are advised to handle released sturgeon carefully to maximize post-release survival.
Many sturgeon must be released because the population is managed for long-lived, slow-maturing fish whose recovery depends on preserving both young and large adults. Keeping only a few that meet regulatory size windows helps maintain genetic diversity and spawning potential.
Conservation-minded anglers focus on minimizing stress during release. Reporting tagged fish supports ongoing monitoring efforts and helps fisheries managers track population health.
As mentioned above, a rod with a sensitive tip is recommended. But some anglers prefer heavy-action rods.
These also work fine, especially if the anglers like to hold the rod and sense the bite by keeping the line between the thumb and index finger. The rod should be 6 1/2 to 8 feet long and have a long butt below the reel mount to lend leverage while playing the fish.
Most sturgeon anglers use conventional ocean-weight fishing reels. But relatively heavy spinning reels, with a good drag and the capability to hold 250 yards or so of 30 pound line, will also work.
A landing net will work for sturgeon that are only a foot or more over the legal limit (40 inches). Beyond this, a gaff or snare is probably required.
Two or three hook sturgeon rigs can be purchased at many Bay Area bait shops. 6/0 size hooks are recommended.
These leaders use wire line. Attach the rig to your line with a strong snap swivel.
Grass shrimp are the most common bait. Mud and ghost shrimp are also used.
Two people need about one pound of bait. Load up each hook with bait.
4 or 5 shrimps may be needed. The bigger the wad the better.
Live or fresh bait is most desirable. You can slide shrimp up the hook leader.
Some suggest putting shrimp on the hook, tail first. Anchovies and clams can also be used for bait.
Some use a small hair net to hold their baits in a glob.
See the San Francisco Bay Fishing, Delta Fishing and Freshwater Fishing posts.
Many anglers put caught sturgeon on a heavy rope stringer and then bleed them while still in the water. Cut the fish deeply behind each gill.
The first item on the cleaning agenda is to gut the fish. Next, slice off the sharp spines along the sides, top and bottom.
Slice through the skin on the back and belly, and along the rear of the gill cage. By hand, or with a pair of pliers, pull the skin off each side.
Now, cut off the head and make a deep cut around the fish right in front of the tail. You can now remove the spinal column in one piece.
Finally, steak the fish and fillet the tail section. Trim off the red meat along the sides and next to the spinal column.
Sturgeon can be cooked in many ways - baked or barbecued, lightly floured and pan-fried in butter, or smoked. The flesh is lean, compact, almost meat-like and quite rich.
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