Fishing for trout is not as simple as coming to the river or swamp, casting our rod anywhere, and starting to catch catches. Fishing for trout requires specific knowledge regarding fishing gear and considerations. It is a very distrustful, territorial, strong, and feisty species, which makes trout fishing one of the most popular in the world.
Trout normally inhabit rivers with pure waters, well-oxygenated and not too cold or too hot (between 4º and 22ºC). They are usually located near logs, stones, or anywhere they can wait to ambush their prey and not lose too much energy in the process.
Here you can find everything you need to know to start catching trout: the characteristics and habits of the species, where to find them, the best techniques and types of baits and lures to take into account when catching trout.
Characteristics of brown trout
Trout is a predatory and carnivorous species, with a diet based mainly on the catch of invertebrates and small aquatic vertebrates. The brown trout is more active at night than during the day, but especially during dusk and dawn. The nocturnal nature of brown trout may be since many invertebrates are more active at night and therefore more vulnerable to catch. Other species, such as rainbow trout, are more active during daylight hours.
During the day, trout are on the lookout for their potential prey, staying in areas where there are streams that flow in front of them. trout remain between the rocks, logs, and other places where they can stalk their prey, without having to make a great effort.
The busiest time of year for trout is during spring, especially at sunset and sunrise. Trout usually stay in the same spot during daylight hours, but during the evening they move to the areas of greater streams, in search of invertebrates to hunt. It is easier to fish for trout during the spring because, although trouts are more “static” than at night, they are also prone to attack their possible prey that moves downstream and passes in front of them.
Trout is a very territorial species. Some studies have shown that, although trout tend to change position throughout the day, each trout usually occupies a specific territory at all times, every day. This means that the same trout is likely to be in a specific area at a certain time of day, each day. If you want to go back to fishing a specific trout, you will likely find it in the same place as the previous time.
Baits and lures for catching trout
There is a wide variety of lures and baits that we can use to fish for trout. Our goal, both with natural or artificial fishing bait, will be to attract the attention and appetite of trout, through the smell, taste, and movement.
The preferable lures par excellence for trout fishing are fishing spoons. They are excellent for fishing during trout’s busiest hours (during sunrise and sunset), as the turbulence of the water allows a more natural movement of the lure. It is very important that they are not rusted and it is advisable to use bright colors, since, with the stream, trout may not notice the passage of the lure.
Other artificial fishing lure options are minnows or jerkbaits. If they have a bib, this allows them to make movements, pretending to be a wounded fish and easy to catch. Something that allows trout to decide to catch it without wasting too much energy.
For natural baits, salmon roe is usually a good option for trout fishing. But what stands out the most are earthworms and insects such as moths, grasshoppers, or crickets. In general, for freshwater species, the manufacture of putty or fattening is also very useful to attract trout with the possible smell and taste of the bait.
How to catch trout in rivers
Before trying to fish for trout in the river, it is important to previously study the river itself and the conditions in which trouts are found. In the rivers we can find different natural resources such as pools (less or more deep), we can find tables, streams, waterfalls, etc. Therefore, we must know the best points to cast in each of these places and the behavior of trout in them.
The points of the river where the stream quickly loses strength are areas to consider when fishing for trout. Rocky areas, a bridge, or a pile of logs may cause the river channel to descend more slowly. In these areas, trout usually wait for their prey to pass in front of them, while trout continue to lurk between the rocks or logs. We must look at the submerged obstacles since there is a great possibility of finding trout in them.
Being a very territorial species, there is usually conflict between the largest and smallest specimens in the pools. This is because they are places where a lot of food accumulates. Larger species tend to rest in the deeper areas, so we must try to reach those deeper areas to catch the largest trout.
Tables are one of the most beautiful areas to catch for fishing. They usually come preceded by a stream that decreases their strength, so trout usually go to rest in these areas. It is at the entrances of the tables where trout focus their hunting and where we will have the most possibility to fish for trout. In these sections we can insist a lot, using lures such as spoons or some brightly colored minnow, to attract the attention of trout despite the stream.
How to catch trout in a lake
If you set out to fish in a lake or pond, you are likely to find the so-called lake trout. We tell you some tips that you can have when trying to catch this type of trout.
The first thing we should observe is the depth of the lake in its different areas. For this, it would be very useful to have a fishing sonar. Lake trout tend to go into colder waters. Therefore, in the warmer months or the central hours of the day, it is more common for them to be found in the deepest parts, where the incidence of the sun is not so strong.
One of the most common natural fishing baits for this species of trout is the earthworm. Although we can also catch this type of trout with artificial lures. It is advisable to use light lures, which have some kind of shine to attract these predators.
If trouts are not biting, it is best to try another type of bait/lure, even if it is only to change the color. The same type of bait or lure may not work for you every day. If half an hour has passed and you have not had any luck, it is best to try another type of claim.
As we said at the beginning, the busiest hours for trouts are sunset and sunrise. This is a fairly common feature in freshwater species. Normally, during the central hours of the day and the hottest times, these types of fish are less active.
Catch trout in swamps
Trout fishing in swamps allows us to catch larger catches than in lakes and rivers. This is because trout tend to grow faster in swamps.
To fish for trout in swamps, it is advisable to fish with spinning techniques and natural baits. The use of light equipment is recommended, with a rod of two meters or two and a half meters in length. Regarding the lines we use, braided fishing lines will allow us to cast further and with greater confidence when fishing for trout. If we opt for the use of lures, instead of natural fishing baits, we can opt for submersible lures and natural colors.
Tips for successful trout fishing
Success when fishing for trout will depend, to a large extent, on the right fishing gear you choose. For this reason, it is important to go well equipped for the fishing day, with different types of lures and baits, because perhaps what has served you one day, will not work for you the next.
During the spring trouts are more active, due to the increase in the number of insects and invertebrates that they can find. That is why, at this time of year, it is advisable to use baits such as earthworms or fly-type lures in the form of moths.
In the case of fly fishing to catch trout, make long casts. In this way, you can position the bait upstream and descend in a more natural way to meet trout.
To test different lures or baits quickly and easily, it is very useful to have a fishing swivel. So we can change our lure without having to cut the bass line.
You can check the activity of trout in your fishing areas with WeFish: You just have to access the FishGuru and you will have detailed information on the activity of the species in your area, as well as recommendations of the best fishing materials and techniques to catch them. But the best thing is that it is totally free.
Now you know how to fish for trout and you have WeFish, the perfect tool for anglers. Share your catch on WeFish, discover and learn techniques and skills from fishermen around the world. Tight lines!
