Burbot looks like a cross between an American eel and a brown bullhead. A thick, slimy skin is covered in a coating of microscopic scales. Similar to a wild cat’s markings, the mottled pigmentation in hues of yellow and brown performs the same function.
Burbot don’t have powerful swimming abilities; instead, they hunt for food using camouflage and a delicate lateral line. Rows of small teeth in their powerful, triangular jaws are arranged in rows, with the purpose of capturing and ingesting live prey.
Around the world, burbot live in northern lakes, rivers, and even brackish estuaries. They are widespread across Canada, with the exception of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic islands. Additionally, they can be found from Maine to eastern Washington and as far south as Missouri in the northern part of the United States. One of the rare locations where burbot are valued highly as a commercial and gamefish species is Alaska, where they are numerous as well.
This article will show you how to catch burbot from shore with much more success.
How To Catch Burbot From Shore
All year round, burbot can be captured, however they are most active when the water is below 50°F. In addition, They are nocturnal, or more active at night. Given these two variable together, nightfall is probably the best time for fishing burbot.
While the In their rocky environment, they locate dark crevices throughout the day: around dusk, they emerge from crevices and holes. Hide to be fed. However, some might be discovered through the day in water that is over 70 feet deep, even in the heat underneath the thermocline. The initial several hours after Sunset and just before sunrise are good times for Burbot capture.
If you are going out for an evening of burbot fishing, think about going to the reservoir early and fishing for Lake Trout. Additionally, being there early will guarantee that you are prepared to depart when the Burbot bite begins around twilight.
Time To Catch Burbot From Shore
Winter is the best time to fish for burbot from a boat or through the ice. They may also be caught from the coast by setting out a bait rig with sucker meat on the bottom. The best chance of success, regardless of the method you use to chase Burbot, depends on where you are fishing. Finding suitable fishing spots requires an accurate bathymetric map that depicts the underwater contours.
It’s important to fish in or close to a rocky environment. Crayfish are the main food source for burbots, and rocky areas provide them with security protection when they need it. Focus on the areas right next to rocky cliffs and slopes that are 60 degrees or less. Avoid cliff sides that have no slope and are vertical.
Fishing is excellent at the points at the mouths of bays hidden within massive rock complexes. After midnight, the burbot slid over the rocks and into the bay to feed. Fishing is also successful at cliff’s ends. Burbot may also be found in high quantities on the summits of underwater cliffs, which are frequently disregarded.
Where to fish Burbot
Burbot are most frequently seen in lakes that are at least thirty feet deep. Additionally, fishing in regions with easy access to deep seas is a great way to catch burbot.
The first thing to watch out for when learning how to catch burbot from the coast is a lake that is flowing into a river. Burbots are a kind of deep-dwelling fish that are primarily active during the winter season.
Fishing near rocks is an excellent idea since crayfish are frequently found in rocky places and burbot love to eat them. Burbot often spawn on hard gravel bottoms, and if you discover any shallow weed flats, burbot will probably be feeding there.
If you frequently fish for walleye, look for those sites since they are also wonderful places to catch burbot. An excellent location for locating burbot is where the largest lake basin and the greatest lake feeding flat meet.
The reason for this is because the largest flat on the lake will have the most baitfish, which means the fish will be feeding there the most, especially since burbot likes to feed aggressively. Because it tapers out into deeper water where burbot live, steep rocky breaks that meet the basin make ideal burbot fishing spots.
I advise looking for the main river channel that flows and swings close to the beach and fishing below and above it if you’re river fishing near a reservoir. Burbot may also be discovered in lakes with good deep depths that have a cliff line with a very steep drop off.
The majority of fishermen also don’t realize that smallmouth habitat also makes a wonderful burbot habitat, so if you have expertise fishing for smallmouth bass and are familiar with their places, you will probably also locate burbot there.
Tips for Burbot Fishing Rigs
Glow lure
There is nothing complicated about rigging for burbot other than making sure you have a glow-in-the-dark lure. Use a glow-in-the-dark spoon, I suggest. Because burbot have poor eyesight and won’t approach the hook without this wonderful extra bright glow to the bait, don’t forget your UV light while you’re fishing for them.
Years of experience fishing for burbots have taught me that using a glow in the dark lure makes a tremendous impact. I can now catch at least 35 burbots in a single night, which is incredible!
UV torches are used in all burbot fishing setups for a good reason and will significantly boost your burbot catch rate.
For Burbot, glowing lures are a need. Glow lures are available in a variety of sizes and shapes at nearby tackle shops and online by searching for “glow lures” or “lures that glow.” It is advised to use spoons with a wide hook gap and jigs with grub or tube bodies. Use a bait with enough weight (1/4 to 3/4 ounce) to descend fast because burbot are neither lure or line shy. The light must be constantly recharged because it might lessen in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. Additionally effective 12-Dec-18 are glow lures that jingle and vibrate. A bit of sucker or chub meat seals the bargain while the illumination draws the fish’s attention.
Drilling holes
It’s time to set up once you’ve decided where to sit. Before wetting a line, those that catch the most burbot auger 20–30 holes. You won’t disturb the fish at “peak time” if you start drilling early. Burbot may be caught at any depth, but the best places to fish for them are often 20 to 60 feet below the surface.
Start by distributing your lines across a variety of depths if you are fishing with numerous lines. As they consolidate lines close to the depths that are producing the most fish as the night wears on. Lures should be fished within inches of the bottom and if you fish a hole for more than 15 minutes without a bite, try a different one. various crater.
Burbot fishing is an energetic sport. Anglers that are successful fish energetically and frequently switch between holes. They usually only fish a hole for ten to fifteen minutes before moving on to another.
While keeping an eye on your stationary rods or tip-ups, softly jig a rod. Dead sticking and tip-ups are two potential fruitful, but fisherman should always have one rod in use. Don’t forget to often check tip-ups.
The flag won’t always be raised since burbot regularly take a lure and sink to the bottom. If you check your tip-up should always involve a minute-long hand jig of the line, which commonly results in a strike. refuel your lures
When you inspect them, more fish are caught by a powerful light. headlamps, flashing lights, and refuel lures, but UV lights work better.
The rod
The only significant distinction between ice and boat angling for burbot is the rod you use. Boat fishermen can toss lures toward shore and slowly work them along the bottom, or they can vertically jig. When circumstances are ideal and water temperatures are below 50°F, boat fishermen can catch a lot of burbot.
Conclusion
Burbot fishing from a boat is enjoyable and successful, but boaters must exercise particular caution at night. Make sure you are familiar with the fishing location and have the necessary safety equipment.