As someone who landed a 14lb burbot through an 8" hole alone in the dark on New Year's Eve some 20 years ago, I want to commend you on getting that fish through a 6" hole. Did you have second thoughts about sticking your hand down the hole to grab it? I still recall seeing that big head in the lantern light years ago and having a moment's pause. Mind you that would have been considerably more ice.
As someone who landed a 14lb burbot through an 8" hole alone in the dark on New Year's Eve some 20 years ago, I want to commend you on getting that fish through a 6" hole. Did you have second thoughts about sticking your hand down the hole to grab it? I still recall seeing that big head in the lantern light years ago and having a moment's pause. Mind you that would have been considerably more ice.
The difficult part is guiding the big head into the hole. After reeled it up then it goes back down, several times. It was incredible to see it fithgting under the ice like a massive python. Yes my friend had tried sticking his hand down the hole but the monster is too slippery and no success to grab it. After more than 10 minutes terrified fighting, Fortuately, early ice is not that thick and finally turned his head up the hole. Friend grabbed its mouth then I grabbed his gill plate to pull it out.
Yeah the ice was probably close to 3 feet thick when I caught mine. So once he was in the hole he wasn't going anywhere. But his head took up the entire 8" hole, which is why I offered kudos for getting yours through a 6" hole. The thinner ice helped get him going I'm sure. Big congrats again.
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