Every fisherman, of course, wants to catch a good sturgeon. But because of poachers, all types of sturgeon entered the Red Book as rare specimens. Nowadays, sturgeon cannot be caught without a special license or advance payment for fishing spots. The ban on catching this type of fish is established by the Rybnadzor and enshrined in Russian laws. Of course, not everyone can afford sturgeon fishing, but it is worth noting that it is worth it. The spawning process takes place in May-June. During this period, sturgeon catching is strictly prohibited.
A little about sturgeon
Sturgeon family fish appeared in the Jurassic period. Her habitat at that time was the whole world. It could be found in abundance in the oceans, seas and full-flowing rivers, which means that the use of sturgeon for food began since the time of the caveman.
Sturgeon is a fairly large fish, reaching three meters in length. Most often, fishermen catch sturgeon, which weighs about 20 kg.
Fishactually has no bones. Her body is covered with spikes and a bony scaly shell, the vertebrae has a cartilaginous structure.
Sturgeon family fish has a very delicate and pleasant smell. Experienced chefs know how to properly cook sturgeon to preserve the amazing flavor of sturgeon meat. In many cuisines of the world, sturgeon is the main dish of the festive table. Only the shell is not eaten, everything else (head, tail, fins) can be used in cooking. Professional chefs know screech - a dried fish spine, from which our ancestors cooked amazing dishes. Steaks, barbecue, cutlets, chops - all these dishes can be prepared from king fish. Dishes from it are amazingly tasty. Cartilage is used for broth and aspic, heads are used for the ear.
All types of sturgeon feed on crustaceans, mollusks, fish fry, worms, and do not disdain to eat and caviar of other fish.
Sturgeon cannot be confused with any other fish. His body is long, spindle-shaped, covered with rows of bony bugs-growths. The stigma has an elongated conical shape, the lips are bordered and fleshy, there is a pair of whiskers.
Today, 19 species of sturgeon fish are registered in the world, 11 of which live in Russia. Different types of sturgeons are distinguished by the proportions of their bodies, but the main features remain unchanged.
Sturgeon habitat
Over the years, hydraulic structures disrupted the natural course of fish migration, so the sturgeon moved from its usual river waters toother places.
- The common Russian species of sturgeon is considered the basic one in the European part. Its main habitat is the basins of the Caspian, Black and Azov Seas. The weight of this fish varies on average from 15 to 30 kg, although larger specimens of fish have been recorded.
- The stellate sturgeon settled in the lower reaches of the rivers. Its habitat is the rivers flowing into the Black and Azov Seas, as well as the Caspian Sea basin. The average weight of this fish here ranges from 7 to 12 kg.
- Types of sturgeon, photos of which can be seen in the pictures, are bred by businessmen in artificial lakes and ponds. One of the representatives of sturgeons is the sterlet. This is the only species allowed for recreational fishing.
- In the European and Siberian rivers flowing into the Arctic Ocean, adult sturgeons live. Their weight is from 2 to 3 kg, and their length is from 40 to 60 cm.
- Amur sturgeon lives in the Far Eastern regions and the Amur basin. Its weight is from 6 to 8 kg. Shooting and amateur fishing of this fish is allowed.
The benefits of sturgeon
Sturgeon family fish is very useful for people who suffer from high cholesterol. Due to fatty acids, cholesterol is broken down and removed from the body. In general, sturgeon meat fills the human body with potassium and phosphorus, which have a great effect on the brain and cardiovascular system. Sturgeon contains a sufficient amount of essential amino acids and proteins that are perfectly digestible, so sturgeon is not only a delicacy, but alsonutritious food.
Energy value of sturgeon in kilocalories
So, what is the nutritional value of 100g of this fish?
• Proteins - 16.4 kcal.
• Carbohydrates - 0.0 kcal.
• Fats - 10.9 kcal.• Calories - 163.7 kcal.
Contraindications and harm of sturgeon
It's no secret that some types of sturgeon are only 86% edible. The fact is that they accumulate toxic substances in their tissues, so it is not safe to consume sturgeon, which is caught by environmental standards in dirty places. Such fish can become poison. There were even recorded cases of mass poisoning. If you have doubts about the cleanliness of the sturgeon habitat, then it is better not to give this fish to children and the elderly. Also, do not abuse sturgeon for patients suffering from diabetes and obesity. It is contraindicated to eat sturgeon for those who have an individual intolerance to the meat of this fish or similar allergic reactions.
Knowledge needed for sturgeon fishing
- When hunting for sturgeon, there is no special tactics for catching. All types of sturgeon fish, the list of which consists of sturgeon, spike, beluga, stellate sturgeon and sterlet, as a rule, love depth. That is where they can be found.
- It is important to look for this fish actively, not to lie too long. She has no enemies, so she is not shy.
- Punching through a sturgeon's shell with a low-powered weapon is quite a difficult task, so you don't need to use multi-tooth when catching.
- When accurately hitting the fishrejoicing early - this does not mean a complete victory over the sturgeon. It still needs to be defused. If it fails, then it is better to cut the line. The facts of death were recorded when the fisherman simply got entangled in the line. All types of sturgeon fish (in the pictures above, for example, the first and second, you can see that these fish are quite strong). You should be careful while fishing to avoid any kind of trouble.
Catch Law
In 2012, the Federal Law of the Fisheries Agency transferred all its functions to the Ministry of Agriculture. They established the rules for recreational and commercial fishing. The rules specifically say about each region, pool and body of water where you can fish.
There is only one conclusion - to carefully read all the rules of fishing, which spell out about all types of sturgeon in Russia. There are many nuances, so you need to weigh your options and evaluate the legal consequences that a "secret" meeting with a sturgeon may entail.
Bait
It's not hard to guess which bait is ideal for sturgeon, because we already know its taste preferences. It feeds on various molluscs, crustaceans, worms, and fry. To prevent the bait from flying off, it must be tied with threads to the hook.
Sturgeon focuses solely on the smell, so the bait should be as fragrant as possible. If the bait is of vegetable origin, it can be seasoned with vegetable or anise oil. Bait of animal origin should be rubbed with garlic or onion. The most advantageous option will be catching sturgeon on bait from the same reservoir as the fish itself.
It's hard enough to fish a sturgeon. This fish is very strong and fast, and its bite is sharp. Be careful: you will need unprecedented concentration and perseverance - in no case should you let go of the fishing line abruptly. Dampen strong jerks with the reel brake.
What you need for hunting
- Strong rod from 4 to 6m.
- Ceramic or aluminum strong rings.
- Coil.
- Long, braided and strong line (40-45m, rated at 40 Ibs).
- A size 8 hook.
- Sinker (to hold in any current).
- Leash from 50 to 90 cm with two swivel.
In winter, in addition to all of the above, a fishing rod equipped with a nod and a float is added.
But there is a little catch here. The sturgeon does not like a very thick fishing line on leashes, as the caviar of fry on this fishing line becomes lethargic. Of course, you can put a thick fishing line, but this will entail the establishment of large hooks and planting a larger bait. This is where the main secret lies. The sturgeon will not bite on a large bait - he loves the measure in everything.
Small species of sturgeon and their habitat
- In Russia, you can find sturgeon species in the Ob. Their photos are located below.
- Chinese sturgeon lives in the Yangtze River and the Yellow Sea.
- Atlantic sturgeon liveson the Atlantic coast of the United States of America.
- Japanese sturgeon lives in southern Japan.
- The habitat of the Adriatic sturgeon is the Adriatic lakes.
- The B altic sturgeon lives on the shores of Scandinavia and Portugal.
- White sturgeon donkey on the Pacific coast of the United States of America.
- Alaska, California, the coast of China, Japan and Russia captured the green Sakhalin sturgeon. This place is extremely dangerous - fish meat is considered inedible here.
- The Great Lakes sturgeon lives in the United States of America and Canada.
Types of sturgeon caviar
- Sturgeon caviar fluctuates between brown and yellowish-green in color. The size of the eggs reaches 2 mm. The taste of caviar is refined and piquant, but with a slight smell of mud. Such caviar is produced in jars with a yellow lid.
- Sevruga caviar is no less valuable than sturgeon caviar. Its color ranges from gray to black. The stellate sturgeon has the smallest eggs - up to 1.5 mm. This caviar tastes lean and comes in jars with a red lid.
- In our time, they have learned to breed caviar hybrids to improve reproductive properties. For example, bester caviar. This is a hybrid of beluga and sterlet. They took the value of caviar from the beluga, and the speed of maturation from the sterlet.
For a long time, sturgeon and its caviar have been the hallmark of Russian national cuisine, and exports have brought considerable income to the treasury. It is clear why the meeting with the sturgeon was a whole event for the angler. Few can resist even now.do not admire its unusual beauty. Most of the sturgeon species today are protected by conservationists and are listed in the Red Book, so you should be very careful when fishing in prohibited areas. Illegal fishing on the territory of the Russian Federation can lead not only to administrative, but also to criminal pen alties.
