Sturgeon
Not
a fish you hear much of over here in England - but I know a few lakes
where they have been stocked.
I believe you need an E.A. licence to stock these fish which is probably
why so many people have never seen one, much less caught one.
I've only caught half a dozen in my life, but I have a soft spot for
them. Their ribbed backs look prehistoric and their length is just
amazing, but we ought not to forget that their mouths are very underslung
- which gives them an amazing habit of jumping 3 or 4 feet out of
the lake when you first hook them. It's an astonishing sight I can
tell you, similar to hooking a sailfish I am told.
My sturgeon have been between 18lb and 34lb, the largest was caught
at 3am while I was fishing Lake Jonquoy in France, so as you can imagine
- I didn't know if it jumped out of the lake or not.
They are naturally scavengers, they patrol the margins looking for
their food which could include dead animals or rotting anglers baits.
I found the best way to catch one of these caviar-releasing fish is
to bait very heavily throughout the day with the smelliest bait you
have got! Halibut pellets are good - as are any fishmeal bait.
Don't forget these fish go like the clappers so please set your bait-runner
or have your reel bale-arm open ready for the take!
I am not sure of the British record but I am sure Kevin can add a
p.s to my piece.
The world record is huge, but to catch one of these you will need
to try the sea I believe. The French ones I refer to are all male
- as the females are too expensive - as you can imagine.
It's another species I didn't target - but landed with a large smile
as you can see!
Questions
If you have any questions for me, don't hesitate to drop me a line
via e/mail on david.williams257@ntlworld.com. Please keep them brief
and to the point and I'll do my best to answer them for you. Please
mention AnglersTimes.co.uk when you respond.
tight lines
Dave Williams
The UK Record
The list was closed for the Wels Catfish (Silurus Glanis) on October
23, 2000, so no further claims are being considered.
However ... In 1997, Richard Garner, fishing the Withy Pool, Henlow,
Beds., landed a 62lb Catfish, which is considered to be the record weight
for the UK. - Ed.
