Time for burbot

It's that time of year again. I'm nursing a bad wheel and can't make the walk to the end of the south pier but I would like to be. It is not too early for them to be there. Fishing for these things is the most underutilized fishery. Bigger than steelhead and waaay better eating. Can't reach them from the couch tho.

How do you even get them I have no idea just curious

Thanks I've never done it and don't really know anyone who has

Thanks

Chris, been there a coupla times (eelpout festival) totally different world up there. every one should go at least once. going back this year. wire

That's about all it takes. Same setup as fishing for big catfish. No doughball tho. They like a big mouthful of fish. Live or dead.

It is quite an experience. I have done it quite often. My son and I have caught quite a few. We caught five twice, however it took four of us to catch the five the second time. I never measured them in weight or length. Seems just guessing that a few were pushing eight lbs. I heard there was no official record kept for state record sized Burbot. The  same person telling of lack of record in PA told of ten lb'ers being caught. They fight like an old shirt, however they are tasty.
BTDT- That was a great video on filleting those slimmy critters. Thanks, it kind of makes me want to give them another round.
One hint- Bundle up, its cold on that peer this time of year after dark. I always fished around Christmas- New Year, and on a non windy night (do to the cold).

The biggest ones I've seen from the channel looked like they would go 12lb+ but I never weighed any. Big enough that you don't want to forget the long handled net. Cold fishing?
 
You don't know cold. The end of that pier can be brutal. Gotta suffer to catch fish! Yuk yuk yuk.

Happened like that to me before too. They seem to be pretty aggressive. If they are there, they eat. Supposedly they are not chasers tho and like the easy meal. 

Bottom bouncing for burbot! I believe it. Caught a big bluegill on a bottom bounced willowleaf one time in 50fow off Shades. That lake has surprises. Right place right time and you could get anything.

Not to play "one up"😀 A school of northern pike in 20 mile. Only there for one day then gone. Amazing!

Yeah, all kinds of random catches pop up now and then.

My dad and his cousins always used to catch largemouth bass drift fishing in the main lake in 20-30 feet when they were kids, we'll occasionally catch one or two now but they apparently were more common than smallmouth back then.

You also see that random 20-30" musky get caught by someone trolling for walleye every now and then.

And probably the rarest catch we've had was a 5 pound Chinook Salmon I caught back in July off of Northeast marina.

Whats a burbot?

I'm off this week " chili " wanna go to the south pier one of these days ?

hope you heal up "Chili " We are good on Perch for the year,several trips out on the boat and have a nice amount put up. Tried PM but couldn't send you one ?