Trout Fishing Lures
Trout eat so many things in the wild that there are many different kinds of fishing lures made to catch them. Trout can be finicky eaters, so having an assortment of lures and bait on hand can help insure a successful day at the lake or river.
Of course when many people think of trout fishing they think of fly fishing. This is indeed a large section of the sport, but by no means is it the only way to catch trout.
Flies are designed to fool the fish into thinking they are about to eat a specific type of bug, larvae, small rodent, amphibian, worm or even other small fish. The trick is to discover what the trout is feasting on in the local area and at the current time of year and present a fly that looks like that. This can take some real study and fly-tying abilities.
Spinners are another popular type of lure for trout fishing. Small, shiny metal is attached to a hook and pulled through the water. This causes the metal to spin and simulates the look of baitfish that the trout eats. Spinners are often used when fishing for rainbow trout on spinning reels. A swivel should be used with spinners to prevent your line from become too twisted.
As with flies, there are different designs of spinners that are used in different water conditions. In the spring when trout may be sluggish after the winter hibernation, a heavier spinner may be necessary to go deeper down where the fish are holding. In summer when the fish are more active and nearer the surface, a smaller spinner may do the trick. Spinners used in combination with worms or other bait may be the magic enticement for the day.
Spoons are another type of lure that resemble their namesake. They wobble when pulled through the water and may resemble a wounded bait fish – a tempting, easy meal. If the trout in a certain area feed on small bait fish, then a spoon may be successful at bringing in some trout. Of course different colors, sizes and configurations are available and experimentation will be the way to discover what will work on a given day.
Flatfish are a sometimes deadly lure for catching fish. They also resemble a wounded bait fish and wobble as they are pulled through the water in a cast. Flatfish can be made of wood, plastic, fiberglass and other types of light, stiff material.
Rooster tails are another type of effective trout fishing lure. They often have a spinner on one end and a tuft of animal hair on the other. Again, they come in different colors and configurations to mimic bait fish.
As you can see, there is no shortage of lures available to catch the elusive trout. Study the area where you plan to fish and ask the local fishermen or bait shop owner which kind generally work well there. Most people are happy to share, and you can save yourself some time and money, as well as bring home some tasty fish for supper.
