Setting the hook on Trout

[FishOnLMB]

Hi everyone, I have had some recent trouble while fishing for trout. I would be using a 1/4-1/2oz kastmaster while fishing for trout. Every time I would get a bit, I would fight it for 5 seconds and the trout would pop off. I know that trout have boney mouths, so is there a special way to set the hook, or any tips to help my keep these fish pinned?

[Bluebasser86]

Trout actually have pretty soft mouths and they're usually pretty small compared to the size of the fish. What gear are you using? I had issues keeping them hooked for awhile until I found I was fighting them too hard and tearing the hooks out. 

[FishOnLMB]

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Trout actually have pretty soft mouths and they're usually pretty small compared to the size of the fish. What gear are you using? I had issues keeping them hooked for awhile until I found I was fighting them too hard and tearing the hooks out. 

I am using a ML power rod, fast action spinning rod and reel. Would you suggest a Light power rod instead?

[J Francho]

I replace all trebles with a singe siwash hook, and use an appropriate rated fast rod.  I set the hook like I would with a spinnerbait.

 

I think the whole "soft mouth, bony mouth" debate stems from size.  Little trout can have soft mouths, but once they're mature, and over 15", I don't think you'll be lipping them.

[everythingthatswims]

The hookup to landing ratio with a kastmaster spoon is horrible on trout. I very rarely use spoons for trout because of this. Try a small gulp minnow on a jighead!

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, everythingthatswims said:

The hookup to landing ratio with a kastmaster spoon is horrible on trout. I very rarely use spoons for trout because of this. Try a small gulp minnow on a jighead!

 

Seriously?  You're doing something wrong. 

[Siebert Outdoors]

As Bluebasser said.  Their mouths are soft.  I would bet you are ripping it out the hook. 

[J Francho]

You guys must be catching baby trout.  All the ones I catch have tough, bony jaws, and I wouldn't want to lip them.  Video shows the spoon with the hook mod, and if you listen carefully you can hear the "pop" when I remove the hook.

 

 

[Scott F]

Kastmasters have very dull hooks. Either sharpen them very, very well or replace them. Dull hooks are the number one reason fish come unbuttoned. 

[FishOnLMB]

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

You guys must be catching baby trout.  All the ones I catch have tough, bony jaws, and I wouldn't want to lip them.  Video shows the spoon with the hook mod, and if you listen carefully you can hear the "pop" when I remove the hook.

 

 

Do steel heads have bonier mouths than freshwater rainbow trout?

[Turkey sandwich]

I can't comment on steelhead. I can comment a bit on rainbows and browns. Trout do have teeth (hence Francho's comment).  On smaller trout, especially, their mouths and jaws are more fragile than say, bass, walleye, crappie, etc. 

[Bluebasser86]

10 hours ago, J Francho said:

You guys must be catching baby trout.  All the ones I catch have tough, bony jaws, and I wouldn't want to lip them.  Video shows the spoon with the hook mod, and if you listen carefully you can hear the "pop" when I remove the hook.

Ours are all fresh off the truck stockers, I wonder if that makes a difference? I know ours are babies compared to what you're getting up there, but I've caught several in the 4-6 pound range and they still have soft mouths. 

[J Francho]

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Ours are all fresh off the truck stockers, I wonder if that makes a difference? I know ours are babies compared to what you're getting up there, but I've caught several in the 4-6 pound range and they still have soft mouths.

 

That definitely makes a difference.  "Steelhead" are simply rainbow trout that have responded to favorable environs - food, water quality, etc.  The process is called smoltification.  Trout raised in fish races (long pools) don't benefit from this, though can get pretty big.  I'll try to find a picture of a male with the typical kype jaw.

[NavyTom]

I'm with the ones who say to check the hook sharpness. Seems to be good advice anytime the fish are getting off.

[Rob96]

Try to not let the fish get its head out of the water. I lost a 10# rainbow on a Kastmaster. Reeled it all the way in when it lifted its head out of the water and shook the spoon free.