After years of using coated wire I have switched to mono. Ballot and voting information for Riverside County. I prefer not to use more than 10 oz. So by marking a drop-off on your FF and then zig-zagging upcurrent to find the channel boundary, you can place your kayak and your bait in the feeding zone. Kelly, M.J. Thomas, and A.L. Those are places that attract sturgeon. October 25, 2016. The key to the process, really, is just experience in handling." The largest sturgeon they have ever tackled weighed in at 313 pounds. Lindley, D.L. Six species of sturgeon are raised in the US, but approximately 95% of production is white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus raised in California and to a lesser extent in Idaho. Announcements Try fishing these. Grab the tail with one hand and slide the other under the belly. The Great Lakes-upper St. Lawrence River population (DU8)Genetic analyses have shown a great deal of genetic structuring of Lake Sturgeon throughout the Great Lakes, with individuals captured at spawning locations being genetically distinct from one another (DeHaan et al. You set your rod in it and it balances, if it is a windy day and your boat is rocking up and down your rod will move with the same motion instead of pulling your bait around, they also swivel, so when the tide is changing and your boat is moving back and forth your rods will rotate with it. Green Sturgeon are fully anadromous and live primarily in the ocean as adults, but spawn in freshwater rivers in the spring. When your sturgeon is at the boat and seemingly in submission, give the monster a poke with the butt of your club, the net or the snare. As grass accumulates on your line, this also may affect whether or not you are on the bottom. They are bluish-black or olive brown dorsally (on their back) with paler sides and a white belly. Fisheries 42:197-209. A swiss cheese model for fish conservation in California. 354.) Handle them as little as possible and return the fish to the water as soon as possible, preferably not on a rope. They travel using bottom contours such as the edge of a channel. I have found that an hour to 1-1/2 hours on each side of the tide it most productive. 2018. Measuring Sturgeon: When fishing for sturgeon, thats a good place to be. Bill Wells I will discuss materials and hook styles later. You generally see smooth rod tip action as opposed to a bouncing tip created by a striper. But they fail to explain . On occasion a sturgeons length will be close enough to either end of our slot limit that a quick measure is necessary to decide whether its a keeper or not. As mentioned previously, if the tide is moving too fast, fish shallower water. The daily bag and possession limit is one fish that must be between 40 inches and 60 inches fork length. Schreier, A., P.B. I am referring to the tide heights, or differences seen in tide books, measuring the height between a hi and lo, or a lo and hi. The mill was founded in 1914 and has been restored, it's an authentic time capsule of a late 19th and early 20th century sawmill. This research advances our understanding of the life-history and specifically migration timing of Green Sturgeon in several ways. In addition, data are limited for quantifying the catch-and-release portion of the fishery. Mark Anthony, Making a big fish move: Sometimes after hooking a large Sturgeon the fish will decide to just lie on the bottom and not move. 2016. And we are not the only ones there are synthesis science efforts popping up all around the California water world. Dave Textor, TIP #6 Rods. Scott F. Colborne was a postdoctoral researcher at University of California Davis and is currently a Research Specialist at the Quantitative Fisheries Center at Michigan State University. Movements of green sturgeon, Acipenser medirostris, in the San Francisco Bay estuary, California. Sturgeon like to roll up in the line. Age at first reproduction is approximately 10-16 years old, with males maturing earlier and at a smaller size than females. The sturgeon would likely not have made it to the boat. To share or not to share in the emerging era of big data: perspectives from fish telemetry researchers on data sharing. The upriver migration occurs during March and April, but fluctuates within that time range across years. Field Support Unit 7 highly skilled boat operators California Delta Chambers Use heavy line, heavy leader and a rod and reel that can handle a fish that occasionally reaches the 10-foot range. How do you measure a sturgeon in California? The American Fisheries Society considers the survival of sturgeon to be dependent on conservation measures taken to protect them. With your support, we can reach and inform more voters. Currently, anglers with a report card can keep one fish per day, three fish per year, between 40-60 inches fork length. I then hold the rod tip up, to see if I hooked him. See the Emergency Closures page before visiting a CDFW office, facility or property. You must watch your tip as much as possible. Also, at certain times of the year, usually later in the season, the sturgeon bite is very light, and the only way to get the monster, is to watch your rods end. A valuable tip is to slowly drop anchor, bait your rig and then quick-release from your anchor and drift maybe 15 to 20 from your anchor point. https://californiawaterblog.com/2022/11/06/white-sturgeon-is-an-ancient-survivor-facing-extinction-in-california/ , Reach specific use of spawning habitat by adult green sturgeon (, Movement patterns of juvenile green sturgeon (, Extinction of one of the worlds largest freshwater fishes: lessons learned for conserving the endangered Yangtze fauna. Dave Textor, TIP #16Sea anchor. Yet despite their large size and historical importance to many communities, there is still much we dont know about Green Sturgeon biology in California. 2017. Klimley. Trout nets will not work. Kelly, C.E. Although occasionally found in the ocean, they primarily reside in large rivers and their associated estuaries, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin system in California, the Fraser River (British Columbia), and the Columbia River and its tributaries (Washington and Oregon). Mark Anthony, Using a shoal: You can effectively use a shoal to funnel fish your way. Even though I have to fish all the tides, I kinda like the incoming ones best Ive caught all the giants , however, on the big out going tides. There are historical records of fish as large as 610 cm, although it is now rare to encounter fish larger than 200 cm in Californian waters. Spend the money and get quality hooks. For California-based White Sturgeon, understanding factors affecting year-class strength and understanding spawning periodicity are subjects of ongoing research. Gently lift the fish and take the photo. Rypel, A.L., P.B. I lost one at the boat, and since that time I have made it a practice to set the hook not once, but several times. In the event a large fish is hooked and you are unable to stop it, release the anchor rope from the boat and toss the ball into the water. I am not referring to the shipping channels or creeks running behind your home. I prefer to fish only on a day when the high is over 5.7, going to low of a minus height. The largest freshwater game fish in North America is the sturgeon, and catching these giant fish is a specialty at Dan Ponciano's Fishing Guide Service. Klimley, M.D. of weight, so I have found this to be the best time to fish these areas. Put in your fishing time, try to get that magic window in. We also recognize the contributions of numerous people in the UC Davis Biotelemetry Laboratory over the years that made this extensive Green Sturgeon dataset a possibility. The often neglected sturgeon net is a critical part of a sturgeon fishermans tackle. Maybe hes over a clam bed. White sturgeon are not listed, but the American Fisheries Society considers their survival dependent on conservation measures taken to protect them. White Sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America. Rapidly return the fish to the water. During August through October, we use nets in San Pablo Bay and (or) Suisun Bay to collect sturgeon, which we tag and release on-site. They are among the largest and evolutionarily oldest groups of bony fishes in the world (Moyle 2002). Their dorsal color is gray, pale olive, or gray-brown, the fins are a dusky, opaque gray, and the underside is white. The heaviest recorded specimen weighed 1,799 pounds, a fish that was determined to be 104 years old. Measured from tip of snout to fork of tail with the fish on it side, on a flat surface and the tail in a natural position. Recently, Schreier et al. After fishing, I freeze and reuse these baits over and over just adding more fillets. It may the only chance you get. There are historical records of fish as large as 610 cm, although it is now rare to encounter fish larger than 200 cm in Californian waters. When done, simply return to the ball and reattach your anchor line to the boat. Keep the fish in the net until ready for the pic. Chapman, M. Johnston, M.J. Thomas, R.D. Some spawning has recently been documented in the San Joaquin River, and may also occur in tributaries including the Feather, Yuba, and Bear rivers. When you hook a fish you need to chase, simply remove the 8-inch loop from the cleat. On large shallow flats theres often an area that will rise slightly higher than the surrounding flats. As I use them, Ive been able to have success for up to 9 months without the baits going bad. White Sturgeon are not state or federally listed, but they are categorized as a state Species of Special Concern. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 35: 22-29. stories. I have found these work well with sensitive tips to detect the bite and have plenty of backbone to lift heavy fish to the net. I like a braided line, but there are other types available. Fundamental sturgeon demographic measures are lacking in the existing monitoring and analytical framework. Historically, the over-allocation has not raised much concern; in most years, there has been enough runoff of rain and snowmelt to go around. Rio Vista, CA 94571, Contact: I favor an 80# super braid. How many others died . My personal preference is to pick a day to fish, with a very strong outgoing tide during the period I will be fishing. Mysterious die-offs of sturgeon occurred in the lower Fraser during the hot summers of 1993 and 1994. If the fish goes wild, gently lift up on the net to support its body weight and it will calm down. Sturgeon feed on the bottom only! Nets are much easier on the fish. Make sure your reel (level wind) has a good drag and is spooled with plenty of line (braided). Before you all start yelling about them rolling in your line, I havent lost one to that,yet. 2. Gently roll the sturgeon belly up, and use a tape measure stretched across the belly (Example 2). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 79: 2056-2071. 2022. Chapman, and N.A. The average White Sturgeon captured in the Delta in recent years is approximately 109 cm. Tuesday November 3, 2020 California General Election. Remember they need to be a minimum of 18 inches. Here is an arguable point. This is a great thing. The court in Sturgeon II also observed the new legislation was but an "interim measure." (Sturgeon II, supra, 191 Cal.App.4th at p. Last fall, thinking I was missing a lot of bites, I began sturgeon fishing with a medium heavy steelhead rod 7-ft., 6-in. Dylan Stompe Project Lead Be sure to attach the big end to your slider. Dont clank the anchor around on the deck, dragg the anchor or chain across the bow, and then throw the anchor far into the air making a large disturbance. Over the past several years, we have received tips regarding sturgeon fishing. Dave Textor, TIP #19 Deep holes. It is very simple; about a two foot bamboo rod with a 72-in. The reason I like a low/no-stretch line is that it provides a very positive hook set when you get a tug or pull down. The mono holds up much better. Dave Textor, TIP #14 Fish handling. Dave Textor, TIP #2 Line. Under the new rules, sturgeon will be measured from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail (rather than the tip of the tail). By Scott F. Colborne, Lawrence W. Sheppard, Daniel R. ODonnell, Daniel C. Reuman, Jonathan A. Walter, Gabriel P. Singer, John T. Kelly, Michael J. Thomas, and Andrew L. Rypel. Sass, G.G., A.L. Fishing these areas has provided me with very good results, especially on faster moving tides. The bite will be latelike after 3 p.m. or if you like the incoming right at the top. (Note: Minimum depth for this is about 15 feet. 2022. Peterson, E.D. commodore! Crocker, A.P. Your kayak is positioned directly upstream from your offerings. long. California has a similar opportunity to look ahead and meet the challenges of the next 30 years with a long-term view: Consider: With a world population topping 9.3 billion by 2050, more food will be needed in the next 35 years than was produced during the last 8000 years. If the applicant's total scale score is at least 1350 but less than 1390 after one reading, their answers are . Knots work well also but crimps leave less to tangle on during a cast. What to do if you catch a sturgeon? Mine is a level wind, lever drag that will hold close to 300 yards of 30-lb. Nicola Sturgeon has announced her resignation as Scotland's first minister, amid a drop in popularity. As a result, managers are unable to determine specific causes of poor recruitment, accurately track green sturgeon listing status under the Federal Endangered Species Act, or measure sturgeon population responses to management of water . We monitor the relative abundance of sturgeon by calculating catch per unit effort (CPUE) from data submitted by Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels. We encourage anglers to return tags by posting Tagged-fish Wanted posters around the Estuary and making educational presentations to the local fishing community. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Any shallower and the sonar beam does not cover a large enough area to make it effective.) For more information, please contact CDFW Fisheries Branch: Sturgeon@wildlife.ca.gov, Adult White Sturgeon (CDFW photo by Mike Healey), Researchers studying the causes of death of adult sturgeon (PDF)(opens in new tab) request that any observations of sturgeon carcasses be reported to: CASturgeonResearch@gmail.com, Fisheries Branch Follow CA fishing regulations, including releasing all Green Sturgeon and oversized (>60 inches) White Sturgeon immediately, and with as minimal handling as possible. The idea of sturgeon pulse flows may ostensibly seem new, but we are already accustomed to managing flows for Pacific salmon, which also have distinct life-history variations based on run timing. He, H. Du, J. Wu, C. Wang, and Q. Wei. The rod dips nicely on the balance beam when a sturgeon bites lightly, which is their normal way of taking bait. Dave Textor. Use your chart to locate these shallower areas. Dave Textor, TIP #17 Tides. I have caught many nice fish during slack tide by this method. White sturgeon: is an ancient survivor facing extinction in California? The California Sturgeon Report Card program was initiated in 2007 to help CDFW gather good quality data about the White Sturgeon recreational fishery. Sturgeons are among the largest and most ancient of ray finned fishes. Examples of such creeks can be located at Browns Island (Pittsburg area) where Middle Slough extends through the shallows, and off Buoy 4 & 6 near the Fleet running to Roe & Ryer Islands. Go Fish! ODonnell, D.C. Reuman, J.A. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, PEN#005 Adult Sturgeon Population Estimates Factsheet, PEN#005 Adult Sturgeon Population Estimates Data Management Plan, 1954: CA Department of Fish & Wildlife begins mark-recapture (tagging) program, 1967: Tagging program continues after long hiatus, 1990: Slot-size length regulation implemented (i.e., no more minimum only length), 1998: Tag rewards set at $20, $50, & $100 to incentivize tag returns, 2006: Green Sturgeon federally listed as threatened; harvest prohibited, 2007: Sturgeon Fishing Report Card required of each angler sturgeon fishing in CA, 2013: Regulation change from total length to fork length (now 40-60 inches), 2015: Tag rewards set at $50, $100, & $150 (see photo of disc tag below). Its rare (but really neat ) to have the fish bite all the way through a tide. If not, you may need more weight. I prefer these types of lines verses a mono filament type because with mono, a hook set doesnt relay the hook set near as well. When you spot a fisherman who you know is good at catching sturgeon, and hes at anchor baitfishing, mark his location on your chart or in your mind. A popular sturgeon video shows two very experienced fishermen nearly lose a sturgeon when their old net failed and the big sturgeon fell through it. I cannot tell you how many times I have watched people sturgeon fish, with their rignoton the bottom. Klimley, and C.E. I prefer to use a low or no-stretch line for sturgeon. Sturgeon travel with the tide. Proposition 14 Stem Cell Research. On both occasions my reel was in freespool with the clicker on and I caught my fish. Substantial population declines caused by commercial fishing led to a moratorium on the commercial and recreational sturgeon fishery from 1901-1953. 2018. These Creeks exists in many other places, and are as easy to locate as looking at your Chart. It will keep you from breaking your rod and getting caught by a hook or weight. Yes. Males may spawn every two years, whereas females spawn every 2-4 years. Fangue, K. Sellheim, J. Walter, M. Johnston, S. Colborne, L.S. I am referring to the deeper channels or Creeks that run through shallows or Bays, as they are affectionately referred to. Unfortunately, the majority of these fishes currently face a high risk of extinction. Between late August and early September, 2022, hundreds of sturgeon perished in the San Francisco Estuary. Dale, TIP #29 Tides. A biologist, economist, engineer and geologist walk onto a bar, Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Green Sturgeon in California: Hidden Lives Revealed From Long-Term Tracking, federally threatened species under the US Endangered Species Act, Intraspecific variation in migration timing of green sturgeon in the Sacramento River system, Survival of a threatened salmon is linked to spatial variability in river conditions, Spatio-temporal distribution of Green Sturgeon (, Estimating the annual spawning run size and population size of the southern Distinct Population Segment of Green Sturgeon, Biology and life history of Green Sturgeon (, To share or not to share in the emerging era of big data: perspectives from fish telemetry researchers on data sharing, A swiss cheese model for fish conservation in California. Some are good on incoming currents. As fish move in to feed and run into rising bottom they will follow the contour of the bottom swimming around the perimeter of the shoal rather than swimming over the top. My mentor was very disappointed when I fessed up after his nap. Fishing Planet 2020, Leveling Guide 34 To 50, California Sturgeon Farming Part 7 KpShamino 38K views 2 years ago Almost yours: 2 weeks, on us 100+ live channels are waiting for you with zero. Contact: Dylan Stompe, Dylan.Stompe@wildlife.ca.gov PO Box 1118 Everyone has a preference. Under rules currently in effect for most waters of the state, anglers may retain only those white sturgeon with a total length of 42 to 60 inches. Newer molds are made of silicone (highlighted in blue) and the head is then cast in plastic. First, if you want to catch big fish, use heavy line. I leave my reel in freespool with the clicker on, leaning at a 45 degree angle against the back of the boat. Pagel, E.D. Mitch Harper. Fishing from a boat I feel I can land any sturgeon in the Delta although I probably wouldnt recommend this method from shore. Bags, TIP #31 Scouting. I try to set it very deep, very sure, hopefully clear through the mouth. Sturgeon generally pull the bait as opposed to a striper which generally pecks the bait. Mark Anthony, Balancing your rod: Placing your rod on a balancing beam works great. It may be a shaker, or a 70-incher for the smoker. This is a dream spot for historians, gear heads, steam heads, students of California history, and, of course . The low frequency vibration will get the fish up and moving. 1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605 | Fisheries@wildlife.ca.gov, NOAA West Coast Fisheries- Green Sturgeon(opens in new tab), The status of the fishery is monitored by CDFW, CDFW White Sturgeon Enhanced Status Report, Juvenile Green Sturgeon Monitoring Study (PDF), Video of Green and White Sturgeon underwater, NOAA West Coast Fisheries- Green Sturgeon. Thomas, M.J., A.L. https://californiawaterblog.com/2022/11/06/white-sturgeon-is-an-ancient-survivor-facing-extinction-in-california/ Steel, A.E., M.J. Thomas, and A.P. Atlantic sturgeon can grow to approximately 16 feet long and can weigh up to 800 pounds. You have to make sure that your drag is not too tight, and you must,never, neverlet the line go slack, as the diamonds will cut the line. 2008; Welsh and McClain 2004). Resistance is Futile Agriculture is Key to Fixing Lower Colorado River Water Shortages, DNA Unveils New Freshwater Fish Species in California, Getting to the Bottom of What Fuels Algal Blooms in Clear Lake, Resistance is Futile - Agriculture is Key to Fixing Lower Colorado River Water Shortages, Is the Drought Over? 3, right). Mitch, TIP #46 Balance Perch. The pull-down can be very slight, like a piece of grass hooked on your line and creating more drag. The White Sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus) is the largest freshwater fish in North America, weighing up to 630 kilograms (kg) (1,389 pounds (lb)) and measuring up to 6 meters (m) (20 feet (ft)) (Richardson 1836). A lever drag reel has a much larger drag mechanism, as it utilizes the entire diameter of the spool or reel as a drag brake, and has larger disc or brake size. They are placed, along with paddlefishes and numerous fossil groups, in the infraclass Chondrostei, which also contains the ancestors of all other bony fishes. TIP #26 Watch for the bite. Large females produce many more eggs than their smaller counterparts. TIP #34 Current. Dont miss! Even then, I have seen that ripped off in less than a minute. and more Delta Happenings! Rypel. Moreover, the state has a strict quota system that limits the number of sturgeon caught yearly. Concern over potential depletion of the sturgeon resource in the late 1980s prompted regulation changes starting in 1990 with the implementation of a 72.0 in (180 cm) TL maximum size limit, creating the first slot size limit regulation for a marine species in California. What I like to do when I see a pump I watch it for a few pumps, I slowly pick up the rod, all the while not tugging on the line so as to not scare off the monster. Females produce an average of 5648 eggs per kilogram of body weight, and a 60 inch individual averages over 200,000 eggs. TIP #1 Make sure you have a net large enough to handle the size of fish you may catch. Repeat if necessary. Zarri, and A.P. The fish is the white sturgeon an ancient species native to the West Coast. Earlier returning sturgeon begin migrating downriver during mid-June; however, the second group over-summers in the river where they remain until mid-December. A levelwindreel feeds the reeled-in line automatically and evenly over the spool (there are level wind, lever drag reels). I prefer octopus style. Moyle, N.J. Demetras, S. Baird, D. Cocherell, N.A. The annual limit is three (3) sturgeon per person. The replica is made from a rigid casting latex filled with foam and finished at Simpson Taxidermy Studio. If the action is hot I hold the rod in freespool and no clicker with light thumb pressure on the spool. Avoid twisting the tape (Example 4). Yesterday, I found some fish right at the end of the outgo. Oftentimes, there is more juice in the orange, and investments in synthesis and team science groups allows full value extraction from prior investments. Look for signs of fish and anchor down current from them. Got a shaker and a keeper. Walter, G.P. Dale Gillespie, TIP #22 Hold that rod! One thing that my wife and I do when sturgeon fishing is hold our pole and be prepared to set the hook on any tug when the fish are actively feeding. Dave Textor, TIP #9 Anchor release. Ecosphere 13: e4139. Measures Open drop down menu. With these reels you are not fumbling with a drag during a fight. Mitch Harper, TIP #24 Dont try to overpower a keeper sturgeon. And that's the intent. [Editor]. He's on fire! 2009. The status of the fishery is monitored by CDFW using data from adult and juvenile surveys, and Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards. Spatio-temporal distribution of Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) and White Sturgeon (A. transmontanus) in the San Francisco Estuary and Sacramento River, California. I have never had a fish cut through it. The fish dont usually feed on these sloping edges of a deep channel. mono with crimps. 3, left), there is a single pulse of upriver migrants towards spawning grounds in the upper Sacramento River, consistent with other observations (Steel et al. If the hooks are in too deep, cut the line. Ocean rock fisherfolks have also realized this feature and its use has become more popular as a result, even at greater depths. A major ingredient in successful sturgeon fishing is keeping the hook wet. 2017). Its capable of landing most anything you will hook, assuming you have an anchor release (I will talk about that later). Keep your hands out of the gill plates. Some on the outgoing. The only thing I ever expect from a sturgeon is a slow, steady, tug on the rod say about a tug on the end of the rod every second for about 3 or 4 seconds. TIP #27 Finding sturgeon holes. After a yearlong investigation, suspects who allegedly tossed beer cans into the water while poaching endangered fish for . Dave Textor, When Dave wrote this tip on 7-24,2000, he already had caught and released 27 keeper sturgeon so far that year. Use a leader that is only 18 inches long. We request the data at intervals and we calculate the CPUE. 2017. Dale FishWisher Gillespie. Set your boat up with a few Balance Perches, you can get them at your local baitshops, they are not cheap but are well worth it. If hes not ready to come into the boat, the poke may send him off on another run, saving you the ordeal of a big, angry sturgeon in your boat. Commercial fishing for sturgeon began in the Columbia in the 1880s and peaked in 1892, when 5.5 million pounds (2.2 million kilograms) were harvested. First, we showed that during spring months (Fig. I use just enough weight to hold the bottom. Klimley. This is an archive of a past election. Movement patterns of juvenile green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) in the San Francisco Bay Estuary. A word of caution, attach a lanyard to the boat the other end your reel. To check, lift up your rod while fishing, a foot or two, and drop it back down. Daniel C. Reuman is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas and a Senior Scientist at the Kansas Biological Survey. Dale Gillespie, TIP #25 Catch and release. I believe in fishing with the minimal amount of weight necessary to stay on the bottom. Go deep at the very end of the tide. We monitor the relative abundance of sturgeon by calculating catch per unit effort (CPUE) from data submitted by Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels. Colborne, S.F., L.W. Short or oversized sturgeon must be released unharmed immediately; note that white sturgeon greater than 68 Those tips are listed here for your successful fishing experience. I prefer freespool with the clicker on. Green sturgeon spend their first three years here and then swim the . Dont put anything out. The newly hatched larvae swim actively for several days before settling to the bottom. Be ready to quit playing the fiddle and to start fighting the fish. Cages are commonly used in Russia and Uruguay. You know exactly where it is and can easily adjust as need be. The method I have described does work very well! Acknowledgements. 2007. In wild populations, the key really seems to be using science to understand the habitats needed to complete the life-cycle and engender fitness. They can grow up to 7 feet long and weigh 350 pounds.