What is good bait to catch a rainbow/brown trout!?

Question

Every year I go fishing w/ a buncha relatives down in the cumberland river just below wolf creek dam, and the trout hit like crazy. But, I am getting tired of using Salmon eggs, worms and power bait. Is there any other distinct baits out there that is good w/ trout?

Answer 1

Trout are predatory fish so why not try something like a spinner bait. They work great in rivers, especially when there's a good flow of water. Try casting them slightly upstream and retrieving them at a steady pace to you. Red or blue spot's on a silver back-round usually work great!

Answer 2

I assume you're looking for a bait that approximates the naturals on the river and that depends on the river. You need to find out what naturals are prevalent on the Cumberland in that spot. Are there stoneflies or a particular mayfly hatch at the time of year you go? I also assume you are willing to fish with a fly, and in that case there are myriads of lures to use. You might try generally a hare's ear nymph fished on a dead drift with a strike indicator or a general emerger pattern fished the same way. If there are lots of trees around, I'd try a terrestrial pattern, maybe a beetle or grasshopper or cricket pattern, again fished dead drift lying in the surface film, particularly after it rains or in the evening hours when terrestrial bugs are active. That would be fun to me. Good luck!

Answer 3

Honestly, I've caught far more trout with bait than with a lure...but that's also because I've fished far more for trout with bait than with lures. As for a daily average, I'd say I've done better per day with lures, especially if you include fly fishing. Get several different lures...kastmasters, daredevle spoons, panther martin, rooster tail, lil' cleo, blue fox vibrax, floating rapalas, dynamic HD Trout jerkbaits, small 2-3" tube jigs and curly tail grubs, 2-3" plastic swimbaits. Get a good selection and you're good to go.

Answer 4

Panther-Martin Spinner
http://www.panthermartin.com - take your pick.
They've also got a guide on their site:
http://www.panthermartin.com/Guide/StreamTrout.aspx

Trust me, these lures work.......... up until end of 2005, I hadn't had any luck with the Trout or Salmon on a lure in my local River since 10yrs previously (usually only getting a chase just as I'd run out of line to retrieve)... tried one of these lures which a friend had sent over here to me in England from Illinois, and I soon put that statistic right. Caught 5 on it (in seperate sessions) until I had to cut it up to free a deep hooked fish =(
Lure fishing for Trout isn't for the faint hearted, especially if you're watching below the surface with polarised sunglasses, as you'll cast out & retrieve for ages with nothing, then all of a sudden a flash of silver will appear from nowhere, charging straight at the lure like an express train, and WHACK! you've caught one.

Answer 5

I've always had best luck with salmon eggs for trout but if you want to try something else I've also done well with corn kernels on brown and rainbrow trout on the White River in Arkansas.

Answer 6

Bring a few lures -- spinners or small spoons. Cast upstream (or up and across) and bring them back just enough faster than the current to give them some action. (Fish in a river expect their food to come flowing from upstream, which is why you cast upstream.) In California I like to use 1/8 or 1/4 ounce Hotshot spoons, or spinners of roughly the same weight.

Answer 7

Kick around where you are fishing and see what is on the ground---if it's there the trout will be feeding on it. A worm and a little marshmallow are also a go. Or a piece of red fabric might work, or a fuzzy brown fly.

Answer 8

Use Mepps. Flys or Salmon Eggs. Red Fire balls.

Answer 9

rooster tails i swear by em
keep a nice smooth slow aproach and you will catch more trout than you will know what to do with


http://www.yakimabait.com/catalog/home.php?cat=258

Answer 10

May Fly or Cricket , grasshopper.