Trout Fishing Tackle
Trout fishing is like most other forms of fishing in that you will need a rod and reel, fishing line with a hook on the end and some bait for that hook. That about sums up your basic trout fishing tackle. Of course, since fishing for trout is a fairly specialized area of the fishing world, you may need some specific types of tackle.
Most any kind of rod and spinning reel can be used for pond and lake fishing. One key point when going for trout is to keep the gear light. Sometimes a trout strike can be pretty subtle, and you want to have light gear so you can feel it when the fish takes the bait.
Since most trout are not overly large or heavy, (unless maybe you are fishing in Alaska), a lightweight line is best. 4 to 6 pound test line should be all you’ll need for most trout fishing. Part of the thrill of this type of fishing is testing your ability to “play” the fish skillfully without losing him to a broken line. “Horsing” in the fish on an overweight line just takes some of the challenge and enjoyment out of trout fishing.
Many lightweight spinning rods and reels are available. Fiberglass and graphite are the materials of choice for the rods, while many excellent reels are made of lightweight aluminum. Due to the huge popularity of the sport of fishing, reasonably priced spinning outfits are available nearly everywhere.
One problem a fisherman may experience when using a spinning rod is the inability to cast very far because of the light weight of the bait. This is not such a problem when using lures like spinners, plugs, flatfish and such, but can be when fishing with flies and some live bait. One way around this problem is the use of a casting bubble.
A casting bubble is a clear sphere of plastic that is attached to the fishing line. Similar in shape to a bobber, the bubble can be attached 24 inches or so from the bait to add some weight to the line to allow for a longer cast. After the cast is made wait for the ripple to smooth out and then reel in the bait or lure as usual.
Fly fishing in streams and rivers calls for fly fishing rods and reels. These rods are usually much longer than spinning rods to better enable the whipping action to the casts. A heavier, thicker, colored line is often used with these reels, and it can be floating or nonfloating, depending on the fisherman’s objective and the local habitat. A light monofilament leader is attached between this line and the fly.
Again, fiberglass and graphite are the modern materials of choice for rods and aluminum for the feels. There are literally thousands of combinations of stiffness of rods, drag of reels and materials used. Depending on material and manufacturer, you can spend from under a hundred to many thousands of dollars for a fly fishing rod/reel combination.
In addition to the rod and reel, some form of bait is needed to entice the trout to bite. There are many kinds of bait, with the major types being live bait, spinners and jigs, and flies.
When first starting out in fishing, many children will simply go out to the yard and dig up some worms or night crawlers. This is a time-honored bait, and many thousands of fish have been caught this way. Other simple but effective baits include corn kernels, mini-marshmallows, cheese, bread dough and other local concoctions.
Anyone who is familiar with fly fishing will know that there are literally thousands of different variations of trout flies. All of these are designed to mimic a particular type of food that a trout eats, be it an insect, amphibian, reptile, rodent or other fish. The fisherman will choose a certain fly on a certain day, depending on what the fish are eating in the wild at the present time.
Lures and jigs are designed in the same way – to imitate a live creature that a trout would normally eat and to try to entice him to strike after it . Many spinners and flatfish type lures are made to appear to be an injured bait fish that a trout might normally feed on. Others are made to look like frogs, salamanders, crayfish or other wild prey.
Of course no fishing trip is complete without the peripherals of trout fishing tackle. Most fishermen will have a tackle box to hold all the tools, lures, flies, different lines and other odds and ends. Some fishermen use a fishing vest with many pockets to hold small items that need to be available, such as hand tools and flies. A net is usually employed to capture the fish when he is brought close to the fisherman.
If fishing in a stream, waders are often worn so the fisherman can enter the water and move to an optimum position. If lake fishing, a boat and motor may be in order. Fishing from shore will often require on only a comfortable chair to sit in and maybe a cooler for cold drinks.
The bottom line is – regarding trout fishing tackle, the list can be short or it can be almost endless. To keep it simple, all that is required is a rod, reel and some bait. If you are really into trout fishing, the list of exotic tackle can be almost endless. If you want some fancy gear, the manufacturer is out there who is already making it or will be glad to custom design it for you.
Whatever kind of fishing tackle you use, the sport of trout fishing is a very enjoyable one. Good luck and bring that big one!
