Guide To Recommended Trout Lures, Baits & Flies
Best flies and lures for catching trout.
When casting, the most common artificial lures used to catch trout are flies and spinner-type lures. Insects make up a large percentage of a trout's diet, particularly for small to medium size trout. Larger, more aggressive trout are more inclined to chase a lure imitating a minnow or other small fish.
Trout Lures
SPINNERS
Effective depth:
1' to 6'
Recommended line test:
2# to 4#
Ideal conditions:
Use spinners when trout are shallow and active. Sample shown is a Worden's Rooster Tail Spinner®, available at Cabela's®.
SPINNERS
Effective depth:
1' to 6'
Recommended line test:
2# to 4#
Ideal conditions:
Use spinners when trout are shallow and active. Sample shown is a Mepps Aglia Plain Trout Spinner®, available at Cabela's®.
SPINNERS
Effective depth:
1' to 6'
Recommended line test:
2# to 4#
Sample shown is a Panther Martin Spinner®, available at Cabela's®.
Effective depth:
1' to 6'
Recommended line test:
8# to 44#
Sample shown is a Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Glow Spinner®, available at Cabela's®.
SHALLOW CRANKBAITS
Effective depth:
1' to 6'
Recommended line test:
4# to 8#
Ideal conditions:
Use crankbaits when trout are shallow and active. Sample shown is a Dynamic Lures HD Trout Crankbait® available at Bass Pro Shops®.
DEEP CRANKBAITS
Effective depth:
10' to 14'
Recommended line test:
10# to 14#
Ideal conditions:
Use these crankbaits when trout are feeding in mid-depths, or deeper with lead line or down rigging. Sample shown is a Rapala Shad Dancer Crankbait® available at Bass Pro Shops®.
JERKBAITS
Effective depth:
1' to 6'
Recommended line test:
4# to 8#
Ideal conditions:
Use jerkbaits when big trout, especially browns, are shallow and active. Sample shown is a Rapala X Rap Hard Jerkbait, available at Sportsman's Warehouse®.
FLATFISH
Effective depth:
2' to 6'
Recommended line test:
4# to 8#
Ideal conditions:
Use flatfish when trout are shallow and active. Sample shown is a Luhr Jensen Kwikfish X Series, available at Cabela's®.
SOFT JERKBAITS
Effective depth:
Unlimited
Recommended line test:
10# to 14#
Ideal conditions:
Use soft jerkbaits when big trout, especially lake trout, are shallow and active, or use when trolling deep. Sample shown is a Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ, available at Cabela's®.
SPOONS
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
8# to 14#
Ideal conditions:
Use spoons when casting or trolling for big trout, especially lake trout. Samples shown are a Luhr Jensen Krocodile Spoon, and a Acme Kastmaster Spoon, both available at Bass Pro Shops®.
Trout Baits
trout-lures-salmon-eggs-tf270.jpg
SALMON EGGS
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
2# to 6#
Ideal conditions:
Use salmon eggs for all trout fishing conditions.
WORMS
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
2# to 6#
Ideal conditions:
Use worms, nightcrawlers or wax worms for all trout fishing conditions.
PREPARED BAITS
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
2# to 6#
Ideal conditions:
Use prepared baits for all trout fishing conditions. Sample shown is a Berkley PowerBait® Trout Bait, available at Dick's Sporting Goods®.
Trout Flies
TROUT FLIES
Effective depth:
Surface to 5'
Recommended line:
Fly fishing leader and tippet vary with fly size and fishing conditions.
Ideal conditions:
Use trout flies any time trout are feeding relatively shallow.
Additionally, trout anglers use canned corn, marshmallows, cheese and a host of other edibles that will stay on a small hook.
Trout And Salmon Lures
SPINNER RIGS
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
10# to 20#
Ideal conditions:
Cast or troll in any depth. Sample shown is a Macks Wedding Ring Classic Spinner, available at Bass Pro Shops®.
SPINNER RIGS
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
10# to 20#
Ideal conditions:
Cast or troll in any depth. Sample shown is a Worden's Spin-N-Glo Kokanee Rig, available at Bass Pro Shops®.
SPOONS
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
10# to 20#
Ideal conditions:
Cast or troll in any depth. Sample shown is a Bass Pro Shops Fisherman Series Game Fish Hammered Spoon, available at Bass Pro Shops®.
SUPER DUPERS
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
10# to 20#
Ideal conditions:
Cast or troll in any depth. Sample shown is a Luhr Jensen Super Duper, available at Bass Pro Shops®.
HOOCHIES
Effective depth:
Any depth
Recommended line test:
10# to 20#
Ideal conditions:
Cast or troll in any depth. Sample shown is a Mack's Lure Wiggle Hoochie, available at Bass Pro Shops®.
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061824*
Matching the hatch is critical.
Choosing the right fly or lure to entice trout may well be dependent on current activity. If there is an insect hatch, your success will be determined by how well you match the activity on the water. During times when there is no hatch, it is critical to match the food source being most-commonly eaten by the trout you pursue.
Fishing Information
