The Best Bait for Trout Fishing

Friday, 13 April 2007

It is said that there is as much trout bait as there are fishermen in the sea. Worms seem to be the number one favorite of most anglers although trout are also attracted to other kinds of bait such as minnows, insects, leeches, salmon eggs and synthetic baits.

Trout just love worms, especially when presented in the natural way which is by using hooks. Several types of worms are used, such as the large Night Crawler, the smaller Redworm or the Wiggler. There are generally two types of hooks anglers use for worm fishing. One is by using a split-shank hook. This hook as sharp edges around which the worm can be threaded. The other type is a tandem-hook rig. In this type, a length of leader joins two hooks together. Using worms to catch trout work really well, especially during the spring and fall seasons.

Minnows, although a bit more difficult to lug around, are also great trout bait, especially for large Brown trout. Anglers would hook the minnow through the lip or the back and dip it into deep pools. Salmon eggs and soft-shell crayfish are also used in this fashion, although there are hook specifically made for salmon eggs. Salmon eggs give off this scent that lures the trout.

Another scent that trout like is insect scent. In fact, fly fishing developed around the fact that trout just love to eat insects. Insects, particularly the grasshoppers and crickets, are mostly used during summer and fall. Fishermen should be careful though, as insects slip off the hook rather easily. Leeches are also effective trout bait. Like minnows, they’re also a bit difficult to carry around but they’re really good for catching trout.

Lures are also effective trout bait. They include minnow imitations, rooster tails, small jigs, phoebes or spoons. Anglers should make sure they have back-ups for when lures actually get snagged.

Apart from these natural baits, anglers also use synthetic baits such as the powerbait. This synthetic bait works best for stocked trout. Powerbaits come in a wide array of colors, all of which are effective for catching that prized catch. Some anglers use prepared trout bait, such as baits made of cheese, marshmallows, cereal, bread and corn. Anglers use around two or three kernels on the hook and cast it at about a 90-degree angle.

Trout aren’t picky eaters so finding baits with which to entice them should be a breeze.

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