Once the 10 other anglers had arrived, and the clock struck 7:00 am, we set out toward the Mothball Fleet where we would be fishing at the bottom of the outgoing tide. By the time we arrived to our destination and the anchor was dropped, the anglers were itching to land the whopping sturgeon that would win the jackpot.

The captain explained to the first timers, like myself, how to go about setting the hook and reeling in the big fish. After the "seminar" was over, the captain and deckhand helped the anglers bait their hooks and cast their lines. Within the first couple minutes of the lines being tossed out for the first time that day, five of the rods started pumping. Unfortunately, none of the anglers were prepared for such quick action; after all everyone knows that a book is one of the essential things to bring on a sturgeon trip.

Once we settled down and got comfortable, the sturgeon began to bite. Anglers caught shakers left and right, and one of the guests aboard even caught a starry flounder.

Then it was my turn. My rod began to pump and I jumped up, ready to set the hook when it was time. Once I thought I had set the hook, I began to reel in what I was sure was a 100 pound sturgeon.

I couldn't believe how much more of a fight these fish give than the salmon from the previous trip. After a short time, I reeled in what ended being the smallest shaker caught. I couldn't believe it; I was sure it was a monster! So once the hook was taken out, I kissed it good-bye and sent it on its merry way. Strangely enough I had become somewhat attached to the little guy in our short time together. I began to wonder if I would have the heart to keep a sturgeon if I had the chance to catch a keeper.

Just as disappointment and defeat began to plague the boat, Mike Ascari, of El Sobrante, landed the first keeper of the day. I watched in amazement as he battled the feisty fish and the others cheered him on. I was astonished at the amount of skill, patience, and strength that was needed to reel these fish in. After Ascari's keeper was brought on board, it was time to move on. The captain then searched for where the next hot spot for sturgeon might be. We finally settled in 45-50 feet of water off the Ozol Pier. As our lines were cast, and we all waited patiently eating, reading, and talking amongst ourselves, we saw numerous sturgeon jumping out of the water. It was amazing and frustrating at the same time, seeing these fish that we all wanted so badly to bring home with us roaming free and unimpressed with the bait that lay below.

Just as the tide changed to the incoming, I looked over to my rod to find the tip pumping ever so slightly. I knew it; this was my chance to battle against the mighty sturgeon.

And what a battle it was. I ran to the rod, handling it ever so gently until it was time to set the hook. Confusion ran over me. I looked around desperately to find the captain by my side, ready to assist me and to ensure that this monster made it in the boat. I instantly knew that this fish was much larger than the little shaker that I had brought aboard earlier that day. I couldn't tell you how long I fought with that amazingly aggressive and strong fish, but I can say that by the time it was in the boat I could barely hold the fish up for Dan to take my picture! It was 52 inches long, my largest fish ever.

During my amazing struggle, I later found out that there were two other lines that had been hooked at the same time as my line. Unfortunately the other two fish were lost due to questions of whether the fish was actually on the line to begin with. Apparently, one sure way to know that you have a sturgeon hooked is by the slack in the line. Once the fish are hooked, they will begin to swim toward the boat. They cause slack in the line because of their incredible speed. They will only begin to fight you, and swim away once they have gotten closer to the boat.

After the crazy commotion and the high fives were over, I was ready for some food and a nice nap. We all continued to fish, with three more keepers caught and three other sturgeon caught within an inch of keeper status.

Chris Zamora of Lodi caught his 50 inch keeper sturgeon on his first sturgeon trip ever. Dan Bacher also landed a 56 inch sturgeon that provided him a great battle. And Jim Lewis won the jackpot with the fat sturgeon that he landed. Nolan Arieta and James Key had to send their fish back swimming into the water because their sturgeon missed the mark by a half of an inch.

I didn't realize how lucky I was to catch a keeper sturgeon on my first trip ever, when some people have been fishing for these things for years and have yet to catch a keeper. I must admit that I never could have done it without the help of Captain James coaching me while I was working to reel in that fighter of a fish, and Deckhand Al.