As anglers, we can target our favorite species by using specific tackle and baits that appeal to the particular fish we want to catch. However, as we know, it doesn't always go according to plan. Occasionally, a much larger fish will take the bait and end up breaking the line, leaving us pondering about the 'one that got away.'
One angler who managed to land such a fish was Steven Read, who was fishing on the Snake River in Idaho for carp when this enormous nine-foot-long sturgeon ended up taking his meat hook bait. What makes the capture even more remarkable is that he landed the fish on a 10-foot rod, 20 lb line, and a size 4 hook—tackle that is very light for such a massive and powerful fish in an equally strong current.
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"I moved to Idaho in the USA some time ago and I am lucky enough to be within half hour drive to the Snake River from my home," Steven told us.
"On this particular session I was fishing for carp primarily, although I know the river has a prolific population of sturgeon."
"I had caught a few carp using simple legering tactics and boilies, but I had noticed a sturgeon roll out on the river a couple of times."
"The angler in me just couldn't resist a cast for it, so I quickly reeled in and changed my hookbait to a spicy chilli meat that I know can be effective for tempting the sturgeon," he said.
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"I chucked my bait out into the main flow and in minutes my line was peeling out, and after a spirited 20 minute fight, I pulled in a 5ft Sturgeon."
After returning the sturgeon to the river, Steven swiftly baited his rod again with the spicy meat that he had his previous bite on. To his surprise, after casting back into the same area of the river where he had caught and seen the sturgeon rolling, it didn’t take long to get another bite!
"I had a thumping take, and before I knew it, I was playing another sturgeon. Little did I know how big it was at the time," Steven recalled.
"I will admit, I was a little under-gunned, as I only had a 20lb line with a relatively small size 4 hook, however there aren't many snags in the river, so if you play the fish correctly, you always have a chance of landing them"
"After 45 minutes, I finally landed the beast that measured over nine feet long which puts her around 397lb. It was an amazing fish to see, and after reviving her, she swam off strongly. It was a capture I will never forget," he concluded.
THE BEST FISHING CHAIRS WILL KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE WHEN YOU ARE OUT ON THE RIVERBANK.
