11-12-24 REELLIFE digital - Flipbook - Page 19
fish, we use many baits
from the lakes themselves
such as chubs, bluegill,
crawfish, etc. The natural
scent of the bait and the
appeal of your jig will help
entice burbot lurking on
the bottom.
KEY SPOTS TO TARGET
BURBOT:
ROCKY STRUCTURE: Burbot
love rocky bottoms,
especially areas with
boulders surrounded by
large areas of cobblestonesized rocks. This is where
they are constantly feeding
and chasing the crawdads.
DEEP BASINS & DEEP DROPOFFS: These fish often
patrol deep basins and
steep underwater dropoffs, looking for food. Check
your depth maps and focus
on areas where the depth
changes rapidly near the
rocky flats.
MOUTHS OF RIVERS &
STREAMS: Burbot are often
found at the mouths of
rivers or inlets, such as
streams or creeks that
dump into many lakes. This
is where they can hunt
small fish moving in and
out of the main system,
with a flow of fresh cool
water to lay in.
Drilling multiple holes in
different locations, along
the structure, to drop-offs. I
like to start deep during the
day and drill holes shallower
as the day begins to fade
away. As it gets dark, the
burbot tends to follow the
crawfish to shallow waters.
Using a sonar or flasher
will help you detect burbot
holding on the bottom and
adjust your presentation
accordingly.
BURBOT ICE FISHING
TECHNIQUES
1. DEAD STICKING
One of the most effective
ways to catch burbot is
dead sticking. This involves
dropping a baited spoon
or jig to the bottom, giving
it minimal movement, and
letting it sit still. Burbot
being scavengers are
attracted to the scent
of bait and will often
bite without hesitation.
Periodically lift the rod tip
to create small movements
to trigger a bite. Dead
sticking is great for the
lakes that allow a two-pole
endorsement, as you can
get the best of both worlds.
