Prehistoric Fish

[Big Skyz]

Now here's something a guy doesn't catch every day. This is a pallid sturgeon. They are classified as endangered. We were fishing for catfish and sturgeon, but the sturgeon we were fishing for are the more common (not endangered) shovelnose sturgeon. My partner caught a couple of the shovel nose. I still haven't caught a shovel nose, but I'm going to give it another try tomorrow. Anyway I thought you guys might like a look at these strange looking fish. One other interesting thing is that mine had a little tag inserted just under the skin on the nose. It had been tagged by fish and game. I've never caught a tagged fish before. Kind'a cool.

Here's me with the pallid sturgeon.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy6-28-14MariasShovelNosedSturgeon_zps07c4ae8e.jpg

Here's my fishing partner with one of the shovelnose sturgeon he caught.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Mike6-27-14BMarias_zps105a9961.jpg

Oh and before the sun went down the scenery was pretty darn pleasant.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/MariasRiver6-28-14_zps41649b11.jpg

[Captain]

Now that is some cool looking feesh right there. Are they bottom feeders like catfish? It would be neat to catch one of them. I assume you released the tagged one? Was there a way to get the number off of it?

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Thumper]

Went sturgeon fishing on the Volga River in Russia ... they are some weird looking fish! Nice catch! We caught a tagged Walleye in Canada once ... trying to remember who actually hooked it. Help me Bucky. P-hole? Johnboy? Is that the one TW dropped in the drink before we weighed it? My memory sucks! Heck, it may have even been an earlier trip. Supreme Dufus maybe? Just can't remember. :(

[FooBang]

I hope you put 'em back! There aren't many of them left.

[Thumper]

I'm sure he put it back ... B/S likes eatin' fish almost as much as he likes playin' with cats! ;)

[FooBang]

Right! I forgot. Anyway, you can get a lot of $ for the caviar if you let them embiggerate.

[Big Skyz]

Only had it out of the water long enough for a quick pic. I did call fish and game. They had me email them a photo and will have the sturgeon specialist call me later for more information. It was really cool to catch a somewhat rare fish and the fact it was tagged made it a little cooler.

[Thumper]

Em-WHAT??? Yep, in Russia, caviar was a daily item. They use it like we do jams and jellies. I had it on my toast in the mornings, on my crackers for lunch and with my cheese at dinner. I have a pic around here of me standing in a roadside market holding a kilo of caviar in each hand. Beluga in fact!

[FooBang]

Last check, sturgeon caviar is going for $1371/lb. Maybe you should have put some of that in your pocket, Thumpy!

[FooBang]

I should also note that carp caviar is second in popularity and that $#!+ is practically free.

[Big Skyz]

I should note that I would starve to death before I would eat caviar!

[FooBang]

Caviar and other roe is pretty tasty BS.. You need to open your palate a little bit. Granted, you've tried Korean food, but there is a whole world of yummy stuff out there.. I bought silkworm pupae and barbecued them the other day. Yes, they were gross, but at least I can speak from a position of authority on the subject.. ;)

[Big Skyz]

Dude I live I the paddlefish caviar Capitol of the world. I'm not eating that crap. I've been around lot's of people when they try try it for the first time. I've yet to see even one person take a second bite. Seen lots of dry heaving though. Here is video of Robson Green trying caviar for the first time. I'm pretty sure my reaction would be the same as his. I like some off the wall food but fish eggs isn't inept of them. Yuck!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VqSyT1GINb8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Thumper]

Like anything else ... there are a bazillion different levels of caviar. I'm not much of a fish eater myself ... I don't really dislike it, I'd just much rater eat most anything else if available. I sure don't mind "good" caviar. 'Course I can eat my weight in sushi!

[Niner]

Robson Green????.............any relation to Red Green?

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/niegc7QcilM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Big Skyz]

Thanks Niner I always enjoy me a little Red Green now and then. :)

[BarryBobPosthole]

I have never eaten caviar and likely won't. I love fish and will try almost anything that swims or has gills but for some reason roe of any kind of fish puts me off my feed.

That said, I've always heard that paddlefish roe make good caviar. A lot of folks here in Oklahoma love to go snag paddlefish. Its never been my cup of tea but they say the fight on a big surf rod is pretty fantastic. The limits are pretty restrictive as any really big paddlefish is likely up toward 100 years old and the fishery won't stand a whole lot of pressure. But even though you hear talk of how valuable the eggs are and how great the meat is, you'll have to hunt long and hard to find anyone that's actually had the balls to eat one and still admit they like it. I think its the draw of fighting a hunnerd pound fish that is what its all about.

I saw Al Lindner catch a 1000 pound sturgeon in a northwestern river once on TV. That looked like a fight and a half. They released it.

And I think the fish Tee Dub conveniently (and with that patented smirk on his face I'm sure) dropped between the boats was Bassdog's ten pounder. I don't remember Bob mentioning it was tagged but it may have been.



BKB

[Thumper]

Yep, I think I have my trips mixed up. I forgot the was BD's fish that was "conveniently" dropped. ;)

I can't remember who caught the tagged fish. I think it may have been my first trip with The Supreme Dufus ... Dave from Minny-soto. What was his last name? Estensen or Estinson ... sumpin' like that wasn't it?