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One
of the best ways to catch trout is
to use bait rigs that are very specific.
These rigs will catch fish from 8
inches to 6 pounds. Best if used for
trout, they will catch other types
of fish as well.
Start
out by using 4 to 8 pound test main
line of good quality. Then using 4
pound test fluorocarbon leader (I
recommend buying the 150 yard filler
spool that is sold to go on the reel,
but only use it for leaders. That
way you will have real tough, invisible
leaders for a long time.)
A
slip sinker rig is very important
to use because the fish won't feel
the weight of the sinker when it picks
up the bait. This also allows you
to feel the fish, or see your line
or rod tip move, as soon as it bites.
The slip rig is made as follows: Slide
the eye of a number 12 or 14 snap
swivel onto your main line. Follow
that by sliding a small bead (2 to
3 millimeter) onto the line. Next
tie the eye of a number 10 or 12 or
14 barrel swivel onto the end of the
main line.
Use
an improved clinch knot (see knots
page). To the other eye of the same
barrel swivel is tied the leader and
the hook, again using improved clinch
knots (see fishing knots). (If you
want a bait holder loop for eggs,
just feed the leader back through
the hook eye on the backside of the
hook to form a loop that is on the
opposite side from the point). I recommend
a size 16 or 18 treble hook if you
are going to use cheese or power bait.
Use a size 10 or 8 single hook if
you are going to use worms.
Decide
how long you want your leader in advance,
it needs to be long enough to allow
the bait to float above the weeds.
Usually 18 to 24 inches will work.
Your rig is ready for bait. Here I
strongly advise using Berkley Power
Bait in the rainbow color on the treble
hooks. Make sure to get a little of
all three colors on each bait if you
can. Cover the hook and check that
it floats.
Only
power bait floats, therefore you need
to use something to float anything
else. For Velveeta cheese or a worm
use a styrofoam bait floater directly
on a hook point. Or you can use a
half of a mini-marshmallow that you
buy at the super market. Put the half
mini in the bait loop. Use a half
of a night crawler with the worm threader
and cover the entire hook.
Cast it out and wait for the bite.
Small trout grab this bait and start
a tap, tap, tapping on the line. Big
trout eat this bait without a whole
lot of movement, so watch for the
line to move. It might happen real
soon, so be ready . Don't set the
hook too hard, remember it's a small
hook. And make sure your drag is set
light.
 Tips
for Casting your line
Position
over your shoulder, (check to see
what is behind you every time. Kids,
dogs, partners, bushes and trees will
sneak up on you all the time.) Start
the cast with smooth but quick acceleration
to the ten o'clock position and release
the button at the same time that the
rod stops at ten o'clock. The stop
should be smooth also. Repeat until
your arm falls off and you will have
the idea. With spinning outfits you
catch the line coming off the spool
with the tip of your forefinger and
open the bail (that wire like thing)
with your other hand. (It snaps closed
when you begin to crank.)
Some
spinning reels come with a trigger
that accomplishes this bail opening
with one hand, although I think they
cause more trouble than they are worth.
After you get the mechanics working,
start trying to get the weight to
go where you want. Go for accuracy
not distance. You will need a bit
of control to be able to fish a brushy
or tree lined river or stream, not
so important when fishing open water.
Proper
Etiquette on the water.
Please don't trespass on private land.
Go up to the door and ask politely.
Offer to clean up any line or garbage
you find. This often will get you
access that others don't have. Don't
crowd anybody. Don't let your kids
throw rocks into the water or let
your dog go swimming if someone is
fishing nearby. You may be learning
fishing etiquette here, but some people
you encounter have no such intention.
If it happens, just walk away and
find some other place. More often
than not you will encounter friendly
anglers ready to share space, tips,
and even gear.
Fly
anglers are notorious for giving away
the fly that works today. When casting
around other anglers, notice where
there line is or where it is drifting,
and don't cast over it. If you are
drift fishing from shore or boat,
time your cast to allow some space
between rigs. Often you might have
to change your weight so your drift
speed is the same as theirs. If you
do become tangled with someone, one
person reels in and untangles as the
other allows free line to go out and
waits patiently. It's always nice
to thank the untangler.
More
to come on Trout Fishing Tips soon...
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