Sturgeon fishing is gaining popularity day by day. These species offer a good fight, and they can get up to 100lbs. Therefore, you need to be extra careful when choosing your fishing gear. Muskie gear and most heavy-duty freshwater gear will get the work done.
Your choice reel will mainly get the work done or make you miss your catch. Spinning reels are probably the most versatile and widely used reels. Although they are not the best for Sturgeon fishing, they will also produce excellent results. However, it would help be extra careful on the spool and drag.
Are Spinning Reels good for Sturgeon Fishing?
Sturgeons are large and heavy fish with bony plates on their body. Therefore, you need sturdy and durable reels to catch them. Usually, baitcasting reels are preferred, but you can also use spinning reels when targeting them. However, you will encounter a few tangles with spinning reels due to the sliding weight. To get rid of the tangles, you can have a bit of tension so that your gear lands correctly.
How much Drag do you need for Sturgeon?
As we have seen previously, Sturgeon are big fish and will put up quite a struggle. Hence you have to be extra careful with the drag. However, this does not mean that you need 100 lbs of drag. On the contrary, 20lbs to 25 lbs will do depending on your targeted Sturgeon and your reel size. Some anglers will even use 15lbs to 17lbs of drag. The idea is to let the Sturgeon tire out using the drag, so you will not need that much drag.
What size Spinning Reel for Sturgeon Fishing?
When Sturgeon fishing with a spinning reel, the bigger, the better. The bottom line is a powerful gear, not a smooth and featherlike product. A 7000 to 7500 spinning reel; will get the work done. You will need a reel that can hold at least 100 yards of 65lb braid.
What are the Strongest Spinning Reels for Sturgeon Fishing?
- Brand : Penn
- Material : Aluminum
- Weight: 0.27 Kilograms
- Max Drag : 5lbs
- Gear Ratio :6.2:1
As we have seen, you need a powerful and sturdy spinning reel. Large spinning reels can hold more line and also have a powerful drag. That’s why a 7000 to 7500 size spinning reel. Other than the size, you have to be careful about the brand. Some fishing brands have sturdy and durable products compared to others. We have listed two of our best spinning reels that thrive ideally in Sturgeon fishing; they include Kastking Sharky Baitfeeder III Spinning Reel and Penn Fierce II & III Spinning Fishing Reel.
Spinning, casting or Conventional Reel for Sturgeon Fishing?
Choosing the right fishing reel is a minefield for most anglers. When Sturgeon fishing especially, you will have a hard time choosing a fishing reel. Some people will recommend the fishing reels depending on their preferences. So, let’s look at the three varieties of fishing reels.
Spinning Reels
These reels are the most widely used. They can also be ideal for Sturgeon fishing. These reels are easy to use and handle, suitable for beginners. However, they need to be powerful enough to handle the fish.
Baitcasting Reels
For Sturgeon fishing, Baitcasting reels are the most preferred fishing reels. They are more powerful than spinning reels and can handle Sturgeon fish’s weight and vigorous activities.
Conventional Reels
These reels are also powerful and ideal for large game fishing. Sturgeon fishing matches up perfectly due to its powerful and sturdy nature. Additionally, they have a powerful drag and are best suited for saltwater applications.
Final Impression
Choosing the perfect gear when setting out to fish is essential for your success. Sturgeon can get 7 to 10 feet long, and hence you need a powerful reel to capture them. Spinning reels are not always the best reels for this application but will also give rewarding results provided you have picked your reels with care. Anglers recommend the bigger spinning reels and a powerful drag to give you the confidence you need when dealing with these species.
Related Resources
- Best Reel for Sturgeon Fishing
- Best Sturgeon Rods in the Market