Nothing but moss and pesky trout

[D4570]

Went looking for ling( burbot) last night.
Most active in the winter and mostly at night. Prefer NO moon.
Last night it was very small and mostly hidden behind the mountains.
10 mph wind and 37* not the best night but you take what you get.
The GD LOVES to fish ling. I saved some suckers from this summer, very best bait for burbot.
I think they sleep in the deep holes in the daylight then come out to hunt.
We get them at the very edge of the holes downstream.
BUT you gotta be on the bottom, we put on a 3/4 to 1 oz sinker and tie the hook with 6" of leader to it, right on the bottom.
There is still a LOT of moss on the bottom and floating down.
Between the pesky trout and the moss you only get like 2 minutes before your out of the strike zone.
DANG trout pick it up right away some times on the fall.
This time of year the BIG trout feed on the bottom too.
We got a couple of dozen trout most 3 pounds plus, slimmers!!!!
We kept 3.
No ling but the little GD and I had a good time.

forgot to mention we had a BUNCH of small bats flying around us, the lantern attracts whatever flying bugs are out, they would hit our lines.

 

[NEWHunter]

Great looking fish. What state are you in that you’re targeting burbot? I know we have them here in WI and I’ve seen them come through the ice. Never heard anybody targeting them though. They are delicious

 

[fishing4sanity]

I'd have a really hard time complaining about catching that many big trout. Good luck with the ling and congrats to you and your granddaughter.

 

[D4570]

Montana.
There a forgotten fish.

 

[Sytes]

She looks pretty darn happy! Great job Grand-dad!

Good luck on the ling.

 

[devon deer]

Haha, I agree, never complain about catching trout!
Bats, they are a pain when I fly fish at night, catch one every year!
Cheers
Richard

 

[bullbugle307]

I'll never forget my first experience with bats and night fishing. It took me forever to figure out what kept bumping my line.