The most important consideration is availability.
Since sturgeon are opportunist bottom feeders a variety of baits can be used. As with any form of fishing, sturgeon anglers have preferences. I would consider the most commonly used bait is a worm preparation. Typically winding and putting as many night crawler worms on a hook in a “worm ball”. Here ,with the worm ball, is where hook size can make a difference. Larger hook means more worms. Baitfish of numerous varieties such as minnows, shiner’s ,Ballyhoo, etc., either live, dead or cut are commonly used. In addition, combinations of worms and baitfish together can be successful.
My personal preference is the whole goby. It is important to know that live gobies cannot be possessed or transported in Michigan. Fresh goby can be used when caught locally in the body of water that is being fished at that time in Michigan. The bait is durable and ,more prone to being stripped vs. nibbled away. Using gobies in the 3 1/2 to 4 inch range seems to best match the radius of the larger sturgeon’s mouth and helps eliminate non-targeted species such as catfish, drum (sheepshead), and smaller sturgeon, etc. Usually 2 gobies are tail- hooked on 4-0 or 5-0 hook. Optionally , gently crushing the head to mid body with needle-nosed pliers to give off scent.
I WILL STOCK AND STORE FROZEN GOBIES. THE FOLLOWING VIDEO SHOWS GOBY FLASH FREEZE BAIT PREPARATION.