Burbot set question

[pike_palace]

From reading the regs, a set line has mandated hook requirements, but what about tip ups on a day trip? Do the same rules apply even if I'm not leaving the gear overnight and I'm actively fishing it? Buddy and I are going to Moose lake on Saturday to try our hand at Burbot fishing; have not caught a Burbot before and have heard some good things about this lake.

[Bushwhack Jack]

From reading the regs, a set line has mandated hook requirements, but what about tip ups on a day trip? Do the same rules apply even if I'm not leaving the gear overnight and I'm actively fishing it? Buddy and I are going to Moose lake on Saturday to try our hand at Burbot fishing; have not caught a Burbot before and have heard some good things about this lake.

I haven't read the specific regs on it in awhile, but from what I recall, you allowed to have enough lines out to equal your bag limit. So if your bag limit is 5 burbot per day you can have 5 set lines or 5 tip ups per person.

[Sid]

is that 5 total ? or can you also fish for other fish an have 2 more lines just a question SIDroud:

[Bushwhack Jack]

is that 5 total ? or can you also fish for other fish an have 2 more lines just a question SIDroud:

Sorry, I can't answer that question for sure. My guess would be 5 total, since the possibility would exist to catch more than your bag limit if you were allowed more than 5 lines in any combination of set lines or regular jigging setups.

[kasilofchrisn]

is that 5 total ? or can you also fish for other fish an have 2 more lines just a question SIDroud:

Yes it would be 5 total. You cannot add them together.
See the last paragraph on page 4 of the fishing regulations book. It is very clear on this one.
For Burbot fishing you may use up to 15 lines or whatever the limit is for Burbot where you are fishing.
So if the lake allows you 5 burbot the limit is 5 lines. If the lake has no limit on Burbot then it would be a maximum of 15 lines total.

[kasilofchrisn]

From reading the regs, a set line has mandated hook requirements, but what about tip ups on a day trip? Do the same rules apply even if I'm not leaving the gear overnight and I'm actively fishing it? Buddy and I are going to Moose lake on Saturday to try our hand at Burbot fishing; have not caught a Burbot before and have heard some good things about this lake.

I see what you are saying and upon reading the regs it isn't clear on that one.
I know it doesn't help you for this weekend but a call to ADF&G is probably the only way to sort this out.
I have always just used set lines and followed the regs for those. Then seperately had a rod to jig for them.

[iofthetaiga]

I believe, regardless of fishing method, hook must have a gap opening greater than 3/4 inch and be set on the bottom. I could be wrong, but that's what I'd stick to if it were me.

[pike_palace]

I believe, regardless of fishing method, hook must have a gap opening greater than 3/4 inch and be set on the bottom. I could be wrong, but that's what I'd stick to if it were me.

Thanks. This is the sort of info I was seeking out, but I was unaware to the number of lines allowed. We'll be fishing 2 line apiece.

[homerdave]

I'm gonna jump in here with my 2 cents... I don't think the hook gap requirement applies to rod and reel or attended tip-up fishing. Only to an unattended set line.
otherwise every lure or hook used in waters where you might catch a burbot would have to be 3/4" gap.

[kasilofchrisn]

I'm gonna jump in here with my 2 cents... I don't think the hook gap requirement applies to rod and reel or attended tip-up fishing. Only to an unattended set line.
otherwise every lure or hook used in waters where you might catch a burbot would have to be 3/4" gap.

Very good points Dave and thats how we have always done it.
Of course where we fish Burbot up resurrection Troopers are few and far between.

[Andy82Hoyt]

What do you look for when picking a spot on a map to fish burbot?Muddy bottom right? 10-20 fow? I'm out on big lake and have tried a few spots tonight. One hit pretty sure it was a char, since the hit I turned on my camera and I'm seeing lots of char. Still better than sitting at home


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[willphish4food]

burbot are predatory fish that like grayling, whitefish, suckers and whatever else they can ambush. I have caught them in 2 feet of water over mud, rock or gravel, and up to 80 feet with a variety of bottoms. Look for the patterns of their prey in the lake you're fishing and fish accordingly. Note that they do most of their feeding at night, and may travel quite a ways to a feeding spot.

[Contender]

In about 1980 I was issued a ticket while fishing for burbot in the Chena river. I had two lines on rods and was fishing with cut bait near where the Tanana Chief is located today. I was using hooks with a 5/8 inch gap and a chunk of bait that no grayling would have been able to eat. I had about 8 burbot on the stringer when the game warden checked my system. He congratulated me on my success and then asked me to reel a line up so he could check my rig.I was written up for fishing with a hook with a gap of less then 3/4 on an inch. I went to court to contest the ticket and the officer that issued the ticket didn't show up for court so it was dismissed by the judge.

I'm gonna jump in here with my 2 cents... I don't think the hook gap requirement applies to rod and reel or attended tip-up fishing. Only to an unattended set line.
otherwise every lure or hook used in waters where you might catch a burbot would have to be 3/4" gap.

[kasilofchrisn]

In about 1980 I was issued a ticket while fishing for burbot in the Chena river. I had two lines on rods and was fishing with cut bait near where the Tanana Chief is located today. I was using hooks with a 5/8 inch gap and a chunk of bait that no grayling would have been able to eat. I had about 8 burbot on the stringer when the game warden checked my system. He congratulated me on my success and then asked me to reel a line up so he could check my rig.I was written up for fishing with a hook with a gap of less then 3/4 on an inch. I went to court to contest the ticket and the officer that issued the ticket didn't show up for court so it was dismissed by the judge.

Thats interesting that they wrote you up like that.
Where I fish Burbot there are also lake trout and rainbow trout present. I can't imagine fishing rainbows with a 3/4" gap hook.
If I happen to catch a burbot on a trout jig I guess that means I would have to let it go?
confusing to say the least. A call to ADF&G is definetly warranted on this one.

[DannerAK]

Why would you have to let a burbot go if caught with a trout jig?

If your hook/bait is resting on the bottom (in a lake with burbot) the hook needs to have a 3/4" gap or larger. Key words there are "resting on the bottom". Otherwise, you can (and should) be using smaller hooks for jigging and for tipups NOT resting on the bottom.