Behind largemouth bass, trout fishing is easily one of my favorite pastimes. Trout can be found in just about every state from the West Coast of the East Coast and always put up a good fight. Not only are they fun to catch they make up for one hell of a meal(when my wife’s not cooking). Whether you’re looking for rainbow, Brook or Brown Trout the following guide should set you in the right direction.
How to Fish For Trout – Trout Fishing Tips
You can find trout in just about it any state from the east coast to the Western seas. They can be found in just about any large river or creek throughout North America. The water is cold and flowing you’ll probably have a few trout living there. You can even find them in some lakes hence the term “Lake Trout”. So they are everywhere, but where are they actually?
Where To Find Trout?
Good fishermen can find trout in just about any stream they come to, but not all of us are good fishermen. Take most of us to a new River and will be lost like a young child at the supermarket. The good news is that all trout water is pretty much the same. The only thing that changes is the size of the river. The following three places are the perfect spot to look on your next trout fishing trip.
Rapids and Riffles:
Whenever you start to see fast water running around rocks and branches throw in your line. Riffles and rapids are easily one of my favorite trout fishing spots. When fishing rapids I like to either use small split shot with a large Berkley Gulp Trout worm/Live Worm, roostertail spinner or small crankbait Like this Rebel Wee-Crawfish. Just toss your lure into the stream and let the rapids do all the work. You should be able to float your line and let it drift with the fast water flow.
You’re going to want to fish the riffles whenever trout are actively feeding. Riffles are well oxygenated and provide loads of fresh minnows and grubs to feed on. Most of the time this is going to be in the morning and evenings, but you should also check them out on cloudy low visibility days. When fishing Rapids fish with a low profile setup because the trout are going to be on high alert. I like to cast my hardware up over the rapids and let it slowly creep back towards you.
Runs After Rapids:
Right after the rapids you always have areas with deeper water that’s a little slower than the previous rapids. You can typically see these areas that are a few yards wide and look calmer than its surroundings. It’s where the creek looks narrower and trout wait before they garner the energy to work upstream into the rapids. Most of the time they’ll be a lot less aggressive in the runs.
When fishing runs you’ll want to be less aggressive using precision baits and fly’s. When working runs I like to use a artificial worm or spinner that will really flash and excite fish. Again I like to lean towards my roostertail spinners in runs.
Pools:
Look in pools wherever the water gets the deepest. Most of the time pools are caused by the natural erosion around bends in the river. The water should look slower than anywhere else in the river. Pools have been the bread and butter of trout fisherman for ages. In small creeks rivers and brooks trout hold and wait in pools. They like to grab their lunch as it slowly drifts by. Since trout aren’t actively feeding in pools you’re going to have to be patient. Don’t get discouraged the fish are always there just be patient and work the pool thoroughly.
Must Have Trout Fishing Gear
Just about everyone’s getting into trout fishing but you have to have the right gear. There trout fishing opportunities throughout much of the country and it doesn’t cost a lot to get involved. the following 5 items should get you moving in the right direction if you don’t know where to start.
1. Waders
Even though trout learn to survive and most lakes there predominantly a river and Creek Fish. since they’re a cold water species you’re going to have to venture into some cold water. Unless you’re part yeti you’ll probably need a good pair of waders to beat the frigid cold. Without waders you probably couldn’t even dip in your little toe in most spring rivers. So if you want to wait for trout you’re going to have to pick up a good pair of waders like these budget Hodgman Nylon Waders.
2. Fishing Vest
You can only bring so much into the water while you’re Waiting so you’re going to need a fishing vest. a good trout fast will pay for itself once over in no time. You’ll have plenty of space to carry all your essential tools and Tackle without having to go to shore. They sell vest to match every budget and dramatically increase what you can physically carry. You don’t have to spend a lot of cash, you can use something as basic as this Kedera Lightweight Fishing Vest or as complicated as the Maxcatch Flyfishing Vest. Most people are going to land somewhere in between.
3. Rod and Reel
It probably seems obvious but in order to catch trout you’re going to need some kind of rod and reel. Most people are going to use either a spinning or fly rod to catch trout so it’s your choice. If you’re a spin fisherman up for something shorter in the five to six foot range. The most popular fly rods are going to land between 7 to 9 feet with either floating or weight forward lines.
4. Landing Net
Since you’re going to land trout on light line you’re going to need a landing net. Without a landing net you’ll have a lot of broken line since trout are serious Fighters. They really won’t give up and you’ll have a broken heart if you try and land one without a net. Nets also help protect the outside slime that coats and protects river trout. This cheap Wakeman Landing Net is all you’ll need to bring in even the biggest trout.
5. Forceps
Anybody use handle the trout knows why they need to have a good pair of forceps. Trout have massive teeth and very narrow mouths and they’re quick to bite. A good pair of forceps like these Rapala Forceps have saved my fingers more times than I can count. Just remember to tie them to your fishing vest because you’ll eventually drop them in the currents.
Common Trout Fishing Lures
Trotter notorious scavengers so they will eat just about anything. You’re going to want to imitate what trout eat to get the best results. If you’re going to go out trout fishing the following lures should point you in the right direction.
1. Tubes:
I really do love tubes when fishing for trout. They look like an easy meal for trout and they get a lot of bites. I normally go with a three and a half inch tube but I can increase it all the way up to 5 in if they are biting. most of the time I’ll choose a standard white tube but if they just aren’t biting off switch to clear. I really like both the Big Bit Baits Craw Tube and the traditional 3.5 inch Strike King Tube.
2. Critter Baits:
Trout are scavengers so they will eat just about anything that falls into the water. you can use this to your advantage by throwing grasshoppers, beetles, crickets and other large bugs into the water. just about any large bug will work well when fishing for trout. it doesn’t have to be live you can also use artificial baits if you want.
3. Swimbaits:
Very few lures swim quite as natural as a little swimbait. Trout love to feed on little baitfish so swimbaits in the shape of Shad or minnows work perfectly. Try throwing out a Strike King Shadalicious Swimbait, the trout won’t be able to resist.
4. Crankbaits:
Crankbaits are rarely my first choice for trout, but they’re great at breaking up lulls between bites. If you float a crankbait among feeding trout they’ll definitely take it thinking it’s a wounded baitfish. With their razor sharp teeth trout will take on any sized crankbait you throw at them. In the past I’ve had a lot of luck tossing a mid sized Strike King Square Bill Crankbait upstream into the rapids. Let the rapids do the work for you because they’ll deliver the perfect movement.
5. Doughbaits and Salmon Eggs:
Again back to the fact that trout are scavengers and they’ll eat just about anything you throw at it. I prefer salmon eggs over doughbaits just because of the natural scent they give off. Berkley’s Artificial Powerbait is the one exception, because trout seem to really love it. If you don’t have access to natural salmon eggs these are a great alternative. If they don’t stick to your hook just shake on a little salt and they should harden up a bit.
6. Spinners and Spoons
Rooster tail spinners have long been the bread and butter of trout fisherman worldwide. You can easily switch them in and out using a swivel and they can be fished anywhere. Spinners can be used almost anywhere but their flash works best in a river. The bright blades shine as they spin through the water attracting a ton of bites.
Just like spinners spoons offer another similar tactic to trout fisherman. Spoons are going to work best when the weather gets cold and the trout stop biting. With so much flash they’ll entice a strike whenever a trout is looking for a easy meal.