Getting Started as a Trout Angler.
This list includes some core products and considerations you will need to get started in trout fishing.
01. What Type of Water You are Going to Fish
All over the country you will find trout both naturally occurring and predominantly stocked. When trout are your targeted species you have to consider the type of water you will be fishing. Creeks, streams, larger running rivers, or ponds and lakes. Lots of techniques will score in all waters but some are best suited for a particular type of water. Today we will focus on creeks, streams, and rivers.
02. Rod, Reel and Line Setup
The most common non-fly fishing setup for trout fishing is a spinning rod and reel. Most common will be reels/rods considered “light” or “ultra light.” Most reel producers will name and number their reels. A 1000 or 10 reel number is designed for light and ultra light rods, tackle, and line for example. These lightweight reels designed for 1 lb to 6lb test line are ideal for trout and panfish species. It’s accepted that reels in the 1000 or 10 up to the 3000 or 30 series are considered lightweight reels. For rods I suggest lengths of 5 to 6 feet with a lure weight suggestion of 1/32 to 1/4 ounces. The shorter ultra light rods are ideal for small stream and creek fishing where vegetation may be thick and reach over the banks limiting your ability to cast with a longer rod. When considering line, I prefer a 4 to 6lb test in either fluorocarbon or monofilament line. Again, depending on the style of trout fishing you are doing trout can be taken on an 8lb test line. Smaller weighted lines however tend to allow light tackle to cast farther and more accurately. Your lures will act more naturally on light lines when reeled in, producing more strikes.
03. Bait and Tackle
Typically two types of setups have been used over the years. Your grandfathers or great grandfathers may have sworn by live bait like minnows and red worms. Even small crayfish, maggots, or mealworms. Others may have preferred cheese, corn, or salmon eggs as the ticket. All this advice is true and will produce trout. However, most modern day techniques include a wide variety of artificial lures and baits. The quality and ability to produce trout of these manufactured “baits” have improved greatly. When introducing someone to trout fishing or with younger anglers I recommend spinning lures, small spoons, and a few plastic baits. My favorites are the 1/16 to 1/4 ounce Worden’s Original Rooster Tail spinner, a Luhr Jensen Super Duper, smaller size Acme Kastmaster and Acme Phoebe spoon, and the Vibrax Blue Fox series spinners. My plastics are the Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Worm and the Trout Magnet kits.
04. Waders
While not completely essential if you are fishing lakes and ponds from the bank or a boat, I believe most will agree with me when trout fishing in creeks, streams, and rivers waders are a must. Again, think long term on the type of waters you will be fishing if this becomes a habit for you! Trout are cold water fish and when temps are colder, but streams and creeks are not frozen it’s time to fish. If your fishery is smaller and shallower a pair of hip waders will do fine. I recommend chest waders when friends ask. The reason being is they will allow you to get to those deep runs and holes with more confidence. This will give you more chance to fish from where you want rather than where your waders will allow you. Like most things, you get what you pay for. If you’re going to fish hard, hiking through rough country with thickets and briars, a stronger, more expensive set of waders will pay off in the long run. If your usual fishery has easy access to the water a less expensive set will do. Watch your hooks near your waders! Some prefer the neoprene or an insulated wader for warmth. It is a preference thing for most. I fish a lot and in different types of water and different times of the year. That said, I chose fairly durable waders, non-insulated, and layer up if water temps are colder.
05. Other Items to Consider
I think it’s wise to have a selection of split shot weights or sinkers handy. I mostly use these when fishing plastics in moving water. I have however benefited from running a split shot or two 12 to 18 inches up from a light spinner to get it down in the water. A net should be considered for landing fish. Trout can take a beating physically in a stream but too much handling and trout, if you practice catch and release, can get any number of irritations under their very small scales and harm the fish. In places where barbless hooks are required a net will help that split second drop off at landing. Polarized glasses are a plus. I promise you won’t regret it. My last suggestion is whether you are a vest, pack, or backpack person for your gear. I started fishing in the early 70s. You either had a vest or a green shoulder satchel thing with a ruler printed on the side. Some of you are smiling right now. The companies have come a long way with chest packs, waist packs, smaller backpacks, and the like. I say go to a store, try some on and decide what works best for you.
Conclusion
These are the 5 considerations I think worthy for those just starting to trout fish. Lots of things to consider. As with most things, your personal preference is key. Really think it through. Try some things out before buying, put some thought into where and how you’re likely to do most of your trout fishing. I promise, you’ll save some money and have a more enjoyable experience in the end.