Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Five Tips for Trout Fishing Tackle

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Before we start discussing tips for using the appropriate trout fishing tackle, we first want to make sure we understand what the term tackle means exactly. Tackle when it comes to fishing refers to the equipment or gear used. This could include things such as fishing vests, lures, baits, flies, hooks, sinkers, floats, rods, reels, and lines.

 You could include more items in the fishing tackle category depending on the type of fishing you are doing, but for trout fishing this pretty much covers it. In my mind there are three major components to trout fishing success; knowing how to read the water and locate the fish, understanding which tackle to use, and utilizing the proper techniques to catch the fish. In this article we will focus on the tackle category and highlight some tips for choosing the right equipment to help you catch more trout!


1. Hooks

Choosing the appropriate hooks for trout is very important. Some anglers like to use big hooks to ensure the fish will not get away, but in my opinion this is not necessary and actually could be considered overkill. You can catch plenty of trophy trout with small gang hooks. Smaller hooks will still work well for bigger trout, and they are less dangerous for the fish. Plus, the smaller the hook is the more easily it can be hidden in the bait, lure or fly.

2. Lures

Many anglers prefer to use artificial lures when trout fishing as opposed to live bait or flies. Lures include things like spinners, spoons and flatfish and can be a great option, especially when the river or lake prohibits the use of live bait. Artificial lures work really well in clear waters when the fish can see them well. Since they are man-made, they come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes and can mimic many different types of natural prey for trout.

3. Flies

Fly fishing is one of the most popular types of fishing, and one of the reasons is because of the challenge it presents while at the same time being highly effective with the correct equipment and technique. Usually when choosing the correct trout fishing flies you need to select between wet flies and dry flies. Dry flies are good for areas where trout might be found at or near the surface. Cold streams and rivers tend to be good locations for dry flies, especially where the current is moderately fast. If you are fishing in a warmer, still water area then the trout might be hiding towards the bottom where the level of dissolved oxygen is higher. This is when you would want to use a wet fly.

4. Bait

Bait fishing is the traditional method used and is still very effective. If you are going to use live or natural bait, make sure the local laws permit its use. Some good natural bait options for trout are night crawlers, worms, grasshoppers, stone flies, and even homemade things like dough or corn. One major advantage for using bait is that it works well in murky waters where the visibility is low. This is because trout have a keen sense of smell, and if they can smell the bait they might be drawn to it, whereas they might not otherwise see an artificial lure or fly. You have to be careful of deep hooking the fish when using live bait, however. Trout tend to take more aggressive bites with live bait, and this can be harmful to them. This is why I recommend using smaller hooks.

5. Rods

Choosing a rod can be difficult if you don't know where to start. It depends first on the type of fishing you are doing. Also, be mindful of the area you will be trout fishing in so that you know what your limitations are. For example, a tight river with lots of overhanging trees might require a shorter rod, whereas an open lake would allow for longer rods. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a rod is the weight of the rod and the entire outfit. Test the rod, reel and line together to make sure it has a comfortable weight for you. Beginner trout anglers should probably stick with a light weight outfit so they can get the feel for it first.

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