Trout is a well-known game fish that lives in cool freshwater. Since trout are not picky about what they eat, it’s generally easy to catch one, making trout fishing a popular American pastime.
You don’t need much to land a nice trout. Just a basic rod and reel should do it, along with some enticing bait. But if you want to learn how to attract and hook the most impressive specimens, you’ve come to the right place.
Cast off and see what you can come up with in our brown trout and rainbow trout sections. We’re glad you stopped by!
It’s bad form to fish for spawning trout, and in some places, it’s illegal. But fishing during the spawn is perfectly OK if your angling target isn’t spawning fish. Here, a Dolly Varden is caught on a leech pattern that’s the same color as a salmon egg. Rather than targeting spawning fish, target the fish …
Yes, trout have a very acute sense of smell. They are able to pick up very subtle scents ranging from food, threats to their survival and even other fish. I’m a fly fisher. I can’t remember the last time I fished for trout with bait. I don’t frown on anglers who fish with bait, but …
For whatever reason, trout have, indeed, shown that they are attracted to the garlic scent. Anglers have been using garlic baits for trout with great success for decades. Some things just don’t make sense. Like the little hook-keeper just above the cork handle on your fly rod. Nobody uses them anymore, yet manufacturers keep building …
PowerBait works well for trout. It’s colorful, scented, and floats. PowerBait looks similar to the pellets trout eat at hatcheries, so stocked trout tend to flock toward it. Most anglers prefer to use it in pressured waters for stocked fish. It’s versatile and effective in various situations. There are days when nothing we throw at …
Anglers can catch trout with spin fishing setups, bait casting setups, and even a stick and line. As long as you have a line, hook, and realistic bait, you can catch trout. Bait choice and presentation are the things to prioritize regardless of your rig. Novice anglers hear trout fishing and think of scenes from …
Bass are aggressive, less skittish than trout, are carnivorous, and live in all types of water. They survive in water temperatures over 80 degrees and below 40 degrees. Trout can’t live in water warmer than 65 degrees and feed mainly on insects while spending time hiding from larger predators. Trout anglers and bass anglers tend …
When fishing for trout, your leader should be between 4 and 6 pound test. If you’re using a tippet, you want it between 2 and 4 pounds so the trout don’t see it and spook. The lighter and thinner the line, the better because trout usually live in clear water and are easily spooked. Every …
You should use a bobber when trout fishing. Bobbers keep your fly or bait at the same depth, whether you’re fishing still or moving water. Keeping your bait or fly at a consistent depth is helpful. Once you find the trout, you want to keep everything at the same depth. When I first started fly …
Panther Martins and Rooster Tails are both spinners but have slightly different makeups that anglers prefer depending on conditions and the fish’s attitude. Panther Martins have bigger blades and are heavier than Rooster Tails but can struggle in smaller water. Both rely on movement to be their best. No trout angler disputes the effectiveness of …
There isn’t an exact time limit out of the water trout can’t surpass before they die. Their survival time depends on the fight, water conditions, temperature, and overall health. Generally, trout can last no more than 4 minutes out of the water before they die. When I caught my first 18-inch trout, adrenaline pumped through …