Some Questions About Trout

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Hey guys. I've got some trout questions. First of all, are they more active than bass in the colder months? Would they be easier to catch once the bass get all lethargic? Secondly, what kind/size lures are best to catch them? And lastly where would they be? Ive seen trout (at least im pretty sure they're trout) jumping but they seem like they're usually out in the middle of the lake where it is more or less open water. The depth for the most part is a constant 7 feet.The lake Im fishing has a small dam with tall weeds all around the edge of the lake. Also below the dam it becomes a small stream about 30 feet wide and no more than 2 or 3 feet deep with undercut banks and tree limbs/roots growing down into the water. The only shore fishing spots that are really available are from a small bridge, the dam, and the shallow stream I mentioned.

[NEjitterbugger]

Not much of person who has had great success with trout in ponds/lakes but here is my opinion. When fishing for trout from shore you will have to be patient aswell as alert. I can't tell you how many times I cast, reel, cast, reel, cast, reel, then get a hit and I'm not paying much attention. Almost like I wasn't expecting a bite. When talking about what to throw I would say Phoebes in trout ponds or lakes, thats what I have caught trout on anyways. When fishing in rivers for trout look for long stretches of slowish and deepish water (not always the case) right before current picks up. I caught an 11 inch rainbow doing exactly that, caught it on a 3 inch silver rapala.

Definatley listen to others who write in on this topic I bet they will have better ideas/strategies. Not much of a trout guy.

[Marty]

Trout are cold water fish, whereas bass are warm water, so yes, trout would be more active than bass in the colder months.

[flyfisher]

Yes they will be more active in colder water temps. I would be pretty surprised that you see trout jumping though in a lake. I have done a good bit of trout fishing all around the country and the only time i have seen trout jump like you describe is when big brown trout females are bascially jumping and breaking their egg sacs to make an easier spawn. Trout feed differently than bass and rarely do the whole slam and destry something on top. I am not saying that it never happens but pretty rarely in my experience.

I also noticed your from MD and the area is basically a lake that is fed by a stream and not very deep. I would be shocked if trout could live in that shallow of a lake in the summer unless it was spring fed and stayed pretty cool all year round and by cool i am talking about not many days where water temps hit the 80's and the majority of the time it would have to stay in the 60's.

My hunch is that you are seeing some sort of carp or even catfish busting the surface.

As far as baits go, i have never fished for trout other than on the fly so i will let others chime in to help you out htere but i would guess that small inline spinners or other movement type baits would get bit. trout can be pretty selective at times but they are like any other fish....some days you get them and some days you dont

Good lukc and let us know if you figure out what they are or manage to catch one

[NEjitterbugger]

Good point might be grass carp...

[CoBass]

For the trout in the lake I would go with inline spinners (Mepps, Panther Martins), smaller sized crankbaits and jerk baits, or something like a kastmaster or daredevil spoon type bait. Last week we got into some nice 18-20 inch rainbows at a local lake throwing blade baits with a steady retrieve. The bass weren't cooperating so we went after the fish that were.

The same baits should work in the stream as well or you might want to go with a fly and bubble set-up. Smaller nymphs and egg patterns work well here in the Fall and Winter. I fish for bass until ice on and then hit the rivers for trout until all of my bass ponds thaw out.

If you want to go the bait route, a smaller sized baitholder hook (sz 8-10) with a split shot or two a foot or two above it with either a chunk of night crawler or some salmon eggs can be very effective. Cast upstream and just let it tumble downstream along the bottom. Keep enough tension on the line to detect strikes and set the hook as soon as you feel the hit, don't wait or hesitate, trout won't hold onto a bait like a bass will. Lighter line is a good idea too, trout can be pretty line shy. I never go heavier than six lb mono or floro with the drag set accordingly.

Trout can be a fun diversion in the Winter months, but for me they're just something to do until ice-off when I can go back to bass fishing. Good luck and have fun, if you find some actively feeding trout the action can be really fast.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Thanks for the tips guys. Sounds like the fish jumping probably aren't trout but I know they are in there. DNR stocks them every year. Just google searched trout stocking in the lake and found out that they're stocked below the dam so that just leaves the shallow stream. Ill walk down it a little ways and see if I can't find some deeper areas. Ill pick up an inline spinner or 2 next time I go to the tackle shop. Any other suggestions for lures?

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Thanks CoBass. I think I have a cast master spoon. Might try the live bait too.

[North Ga Hillbilly]

I've seen many trout jumping in lakes when theres 10 pounds of bass on their tails. Saw this one jumping for around 30 seconds, then tail walking all the way to the shore.

But outside that Ive seen them get spooked by any number of things and start jumping around.

NGaHB

[Gavin]

Kastmaster spoons are a good way to cover lots of water quickly...Little Cleo's are good too..Inline Spinners, and jigs under floats work well too. If you have some big rainbows or brown trout...bring some suspending jerkbaits. Good luck.

[HeavyDluxe]

For the trout in the lake I would go with inline spinners (Mepps, Panther Martins), smaller sized crankbaits and jerk baits, or something like a kastmaster or daredevil spoon type bait. Last week we got into some nice 18-20 inch rainbows at a local lake throwing blade baits with a steady retrieve. The bass weren't cooperating so we went after the fish that were.

The same baits should work in the stream as well or you might want to go with a fly and bubble set-up. Smaller nymphs and egg patterns work well here in the Fall and Winter. I fish for bass until ice on and then hit the rivers for trout until all of my bass ponds thaw out.

If you want to go the bait route, a smaller sized baitholder hook (sz 8-10) with a split shot or two a foot or two above it with either a chunk of night crawler or some salmon eggs can be very effective. Cast upstream and just let it tumble downstream along the bottom. Keep enough tension on the line to detect strikes and set the hook as soon as you feel the hit, don't wait or hesitate, trout won't hold onto a bait like a bass will. Lighter line is a good idea too, trout can be pretty line shy. I never go heavier than six lb mono or floro with the drag set accordingly.

This post is full of awesome and wisdom.

[Marty]

My trout experience is from fishing Lake Ontario piers. My favorite baits were Countdown Rapalas and lipless crankbaits, although lots of anglers use spoons and spinners.

For what it's worth, a friend has had some success in tributaries of Lake Ontario and some inland streams using original Floating Rapalas.

[alexczarn]

Adding to this, my favourite trout lures down here in Australia for rainbows and browns, are the celta-type spinners, also the Rapala X-raps, and Berkley Powerbait nymphs. One last lure, it's an Australian one, I'm not sure if you guys have heard of it, Wigstons Lures Tassie Devil. Great lure, it's like a clear-winged spoon, with a minnow body.

[CyRaX]

They were jumping last night in a small pound around here.. I use a weight, then about 12-18 inch 4lb test liter with powerbait.

[fishking247]

i have always done well with powerbait and the store brand biscuit dough. i would use 4lb test with a #8 hook with a split shot about 8-10" above the hook and drift it in streams and rivers. in ponds i would set up a hook with a float 18" above the hook. Most all of the fish were stocked fish and ranged from 6"-25". when i used lures i would always use 2" floating rapalas, phoebe spoons, and mepps/bluefox spinners.