Types of Trout Fishing Lures

Types of Trout Fishing Lures
Rainbow trout fishermen have a multitude of lures available for them to choose from. Trout fishing is one of the most enjoyable activities imaginable but you need to know what the right equipment to use is. Most rainbow trout lures can be grouped into four categories: trout flies, trout spinners, trout jigs, and trout bait.

Trout Flies
Fly fishing is probably the most frequently thought of method used when trout fishing. Although the most popular way to fly fish is by using a fly rod, it is also possible to use a spinning rod with a small bobber attached 18 to 24 inches up from the fly to aid in casting. There are trout flies that match just about any type of insect you will find along a trout stream or river. The thing to remember here is to match the hatch. Types of flies for trout fishing are dry flies, wet flies, emergers, nymphs, and streamers.

Trout Spinners
In many spring-fed streams, spinning tackle is the most popular equipment used by fisherman when rainbow trout fishing. Spinnerbaits are used to match the flash made by darting creek chubs in these streams. In-line spinners are the lure of choice when fishing for rainbow trout on spinning tackle. The rotation of the spinner blade can cause the line to twist and lead to bird’s nests so use a swivel to counter act the rotation. The two most popular brands of trout spinners are Mepps and Panther Martin.

Trout Jigs
Jigging for trout is most effective in deep pools created by beaver dams, boulders or other obstructions in the stream. Trout jigs are very small; they have a 1/16 to 1/32 ounce jig head. The bodies on trout jigs can be made of either hair/feathers or soft plastic. Jig bodies that match the minnows found in your stream are very effective for trout fishing. Be cautious when fishing with trout jigs; rocks, logs and over-hanging branches can cause frequent snags.

Trout Bait
Trout bait can range anywhere from live fish bait such as nightcrawlers to homemade dough baits. You can even put pieces of food such as kernels of corn or marshmallows on a treble hook. Berkley makes some of the best dough baits. Berkley PowerBait and Berkley Gulp! can be found in wide variety of flavors. There is even a PowerBait nugget that matches the scent and taste of the food that hatchery trout were raised on!

Choosing the correct lure or bait for the situation can be daunting. The next few articles will dig into each type of rainbow trout lure in more detail to help you narrow down the choice on our next trout fishing trip