RARE FOOTAGE-Little burbot fends off big pike

In NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE, a young burbot deploys a 'muddying of the waters' technique to ward off an attack by an experienced trophy-class northern pike. BONUS FOOTAGE-The burbot also deploys a unique 'tasting' behaviour before inhaling a bait.

[@jeffgustafson3587]

Great video guys! My wife and I enjoyed it! Loved the burbot "kissing" your bait!

[@matitysgetfishing]

Thanks Jeff. It was quite the sight. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@wilwegman]

Amazing! When all that head nudging is going on with the Jig A Whopper - it demonstrates that 'smell and taste receptors' are located all around the burbot's head near the mouth not just in it! Such a great iconic species- worth conserving for future generations!

[@matitysgetfishing]

Thank you for the kind words Wil. You can actually see his nasal flaps sticking up like little horns to consume the bait. It’s as if his whole body is a giant tongue.

[@redfisher4132]

Very cool and interesting. Shows that the burbot was more interested in scent than any noise or visual presentation.

[@JeffMatity]

Some people have asked me if they have poor vision when witnessing such behaviour. They actually have very good vision, along with all of the other senses.

[@SheLovesToFish]

This was so cool to see! Great job on capturing this!

[@wendytischler4105]

Very cool!

[@MikeSmith-du9gh]

Pretty cool! funny that that big pike was scared of a little burbot.

[@JeffMatity]

I think he just realized it wasn’t going to be EASY! Lol!

[@lechay1992]

🥰 🥰 🥰 🥰 💔