Trout Fishing Tips

Many anglers (even experienced ones) have difficulty catching trout during the warmer summer months. This is to be expected since trout are cold blooded and prefer cooler water temperatures. The warmer temperatures get, the more uncomfortable they become. When this happens, their focus changes to survival (finding cooler water) than feeding.

This means you might have to change your fishing tactics a bit in order to catch trout. To begin with, you'll want to avoid fishing during the hottest part of the day (which is usually between 11 am and 3 pm in many places). You'll have your best luck during the early morning or dusk hours (when water temps are cooler and trout are out feeding on or near the water's surface).

You can still catch trout during the middle of the day, but you'll have to fish deep where water temps are cooler. If you're fishing from shore, you'll want to change your rig to a bottom fishing rig. If you're fishing from a boat, a fish finder can be a great help in finding trout. If you're fishing a river or stream, look for shaded riffles and deep pockets of cooler water.

Remember, that trout care more about comfort and survival than feeding. Once their primaries needs are met, they will actively feed.

Understanding these simple facts, will help you catch more trout in summer months. These tips and more, can be found in the Trout Fishing Tips eBook.

Labels: summer trout fishing tips, trout fishing in summer, trout fishing tips

It may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people will sit there watching trout rise or jump out of the water for insects and never move try and cast their line into that spot.

Figuring out where trout are hanging out is half the battle. But once you do figure it out, you can improve your chances of catching them by casting your line into that spot. Trout are lazy fish - they don't want to work hard for a meal. So if you present your offering to them, you have a better chance of getting them to take it.

But watching trout rise (or jump) is important for another reason. In addition to telling you where trout are - it also tells you that they're feeding near the surface of the water. And if you're lake fishing - this information is especially important!

Lakes are usually deep and so there are different feeding zones. As the day progresses, trout may change feeding zones. When you see them rising (or jumping), you know they're actively feeding near the water's surface - so you'll want to keep your bait near or close to the surface of the water (in other words, you don't want to be bottom fishing deep in the lake when trout aren't there).

Watching trout rise is another of those telltale signs that gives you a couple of bits of information which can in turn help you choose the right fishing technique.

Labels: trout fishing tips, trout secrets, trout tactics, trout tips

Brook trout are fall spawners so many trout anglers consider this to be the best time to catch them. And since brook trout need cool, clean streams in order to spawn, you can often find them in making their way into tributaries this time of year.

Like other trout species, brook trout like to hang out near boulders, logs and other structures that provide cover and security. They feed on worms, grasshoppers, and other insects.

When fishing in lakes, try trolling near shore with worms or spinners tipped with worms. Salmon eggs, Wooly Buggers, and dark colored nymphs are also effective. Corn is also effective on hatchery brook trout.

Artificial flies are also work well when fishing for brook trout – especially dry flies, streamers and nymphs that imitate natural food sources.

Keep in mind that of all the trout species, brook trout are usually pretty small and if fishing in streams or small rivers, you’ll need to use light tackle (2-4 lb test). In lakes, you can usually get away with using 4-6 lb test line.

Although most brook trout are pretty small, there have been some amazing trophy-size brookies caught. In 2006, an angler in Manitoba caught a 29 inch brookie. Although this catch would have most likely given him the world record, he released it after snapping a few photographs - thereby eliminating his chance of a world record. However, in 2007, the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame awarded this angler a catch and release record.

Labels: Brook trout, trout fishing tips, trout tips

Lynx Lake is one of the nicest fishing lakes in Prescott, Arizona. I spent much of yesterday fishing there with family and friends ... and despite the water levels being very low (lowest I've seen in 30 years), we were still able to catch our limit of rainbow trout.

And of course, as we continued to reel in trout after trout, folks continued to ask us to share our secret - which we were happy to do. But few realized that as the weather changed, so did our fishing tactics - which is what allowed us to keep catching trout when others weren't.

We started off the morning fishing spinners - which worked well. The water was cool and the trout were feeding on the surface. So spinner were very effective.

But by about 10 am, the sun was starting to get a bit warm. As we took our off jackets, we knew water temperatures were rising and trout were no longer feeding on the surface of the water. So we put away the spinners and rigged the poles for bottom fishing.

My favorite bottom fishing rig consists of adding an egg sinker above a snap swivel, and then adding an 18-20 inch leader with a treble hook to the swivel. I like to use the 1/2 oz. egg sinkers because it gives me greater casting distance. We were also using 6-lb test line.

There were three of us fishing yesterday, and some of us used nightcrawlers and some of us used powerbait (all colors). Another thing we did was to add a bit of trout attractant to the leader and bait (many anglers don't think to do this).

Bottom fishing worked very in the late morning and early afternoon hours. And because we were able to recognize when trout changed their feeding zone, we were able to keep catching fish (when others weren't).

These are the kind of secrets that I've revealed in the "Trout Fishing Tips" eBook. Learning to recognize changing weather and feeding patterns is one of the biggest secrets of trout fishing.

Not only did we catch our trout limit yesterday, but we had a fun watching the bald eagles catch their trout too. And I was even fortunate enough to catch some great photos of the eagles. You can check out some of our pictures below.

Labels: arizona, lynx lake, secrets of trout fishing, trout fishing, trout fishing tips

This is a great time of year to be enjoying the outdoors. But as nice as the weather is, trout fishing can be challenging during summer months.


Trout Fishing Tip #1 - Take the kids to a Trout Farm

Many states have trout farms that kids can fish in. These farms raise trout specifically for kids to catch them - so they're very easy to catch! But kids will still feel the same sense of excitement and accomplishment as if they had caught the trout in a big lake!

Most of the trout farms provide tackle and bait for free - and you only pay for each fish you catch. And most trout farms have picnic grounds complete with grills so you can grill your catch on the spot!

So kids can catch their trout and then share it with the family on the picnic grounds. This the best way to start teaching kids about trout fishing.


Trout Fishing Tip #2 - Fish the lake on the day it's stocked

Every state has a Game and Fish Department, although they might be called something different. And the stocking schedule is usually posted on the web.
You'll want to find it and print it.

Knowing the stocking schedule in advance will help you plan when to take the kids fishing. Stocked trout come from local state hatcheries. They've been raised and fed in pens. When released in lakes, they tend to spend the first day or two near the shore and will anything offered to them. This is when they're easiest to catch! In fact, the majority of trout are caught the same day they're released.

Taking the kids fishing on the day the lake is stocked will greatly improve their chances of catching them - and the more trout they catch, the more interested and excited about they'll be about fishing!

Even if you can't get to the lake the day it's stocked, go the next day or the day after that. Trout are still fairly easy to catch within a day or two of stocking.


Trout Fishing Tip #3 - Fish during early morning or early evening hours

This tip especially true in warmer summer months. Trout are cold blooded fish - which means they like cool water. Most trout actively feed when water temperatures are between 50 – 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Once water temperatures get above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, trout start concentrating on survival rather than feeding. Water is usually cooler in early morning and early evening hours.

These are also the times that insects are out flying. So trout will normally be near the surface of the water feeding on them.


Trout Fishing Tip #4 - Take worms, PowerBait, marshmallow, cheese and corn for bait

Trout love these things, and being picky eaters, you never know which one they'll like on any given day.

PowerBait comes in a variety of colors and it's a good idea to have a couple of colors on hand. One day trout are famous for liking one color over another one day and not touching it the next.

My favorite colors are rainbow (with sparkling glitter), chartreuse, and pink and white. I've had the best luck with these colors over the years.


Trout Fishing Tip #5 - Use trout attractant

One of the problems with bait fishing is that by the time you get the bait on your hook, you've also transferred your human odors to it - which in turn can turn trout off. Adding a bit of trout attractant to the baited hook can help fix that problem.

You can also add trout attractant to your leader and lures. Every little bit helps!
You can buy trout attractant in any sporting goods store and even Wal-mart.


Trout Fishing Tip #6 - Keep an eye on outdoor temperature

The sun heats the water, so if it's hot outside, you know water temperatures are rising. Trout can't survive long in water that's above 70 degrees Fahrenheit they'll have to find cooler water. This means they'll often head for deeper water. If you have a boat, this is the time to use it. Some lakes have boats you can rent.

In most lakes, the deepest part is either in the center of the lake or near the dam. This is where you want to steer your boat. You'll have to fish deeper to find trout. And unless you have a fish finder, this is a process of trial and error.


Trout Fishing Tip #7 - Use a Fish Finder

When trout are in deeper water, finding them can be difficult. Using a fish finder is often critical to finding trout in these conditions.


Trout Fishing Tip #8 - Watch the birds

Many birds feed on trout (such as Eagles and Comorants). If you watch them closely, you'll see them swoop down and grab trout. In essence, they're showing you where the trout are!

Go fishing on the day a lake is stocked, and you'll see swarms of comorants flying over an area of water. This is where the trout are. Try fishing this area of the water, and you’re very likely to catch trout!

Labels: Trout Farm, trout fishing tips

Fishing during the summer months are the most challenging months for trout fishers. That's because trout are cold blooded fish. They prefer cooler water temperatures (50-68 degrees Fahrenheit, on average).

And as much as we all love to be outdoors enjoying the warm sunshine, the hot sun tends to heat our lakes and streams so that trout become uncomfortable. This doesn't mean you can't catch trout in the summer months - because you can! It just means you might have to adjust your tactics a bit.

Here are five Summer Trout Fishing Tips:

Trout Tip #1 - Fish early morning (dawn til about 10 a.m.) or early evening (dusk til dark). Water temperatures are cooler during these times and insects are out - so trout will be feeding near the surface of the water.

Trout Tip #2 - Keep an eye on water temperature as the day progresses (using a water thermometer will help). Once surface water temperatures rise above 70 degrees, you know that trout have headed for shaded or deeper water.

Trout Tip #3 - Look for shaded pools or pockets of water. Trout will often be found holding in them when water temperatures rise.

Trout Tip #4 - If lake fishing, rent a boat (if you don't own one). During the summer months (especially mid day), trout will be in deeper water (which is usually in the center of a lake or near a dam).

Trout Tip #5 - Us e a fish finder! When lake fishing during summer months, it can be difficult to find where trout are holding and feeding. Fish finders will not only tell where trout are, but also at which depth (so you know exactly where to fish).

You'll find more tips in the "Trout Fishing Tips" eBook - as well a a better understanding of why summer months are so challenging to trout fishers, but these are five important tips if you want to improve your chances of catching trout.

Labels: fishing during summer months, summer trout fishing tips, trout fishing tips, trout tips

We recently received and email from a newbie trout angler in Tasmania with some questions about bait choices. Like so many folks this weekend (myself included), she and her husband were getting ready to go fishing this weekend.

Apparently some heavy rains drowned most of earthworms and so she had the idea to use mealworms. Her husband probably considered himself a good angler, but like many anglers was stuck in the box.

Many anglers get very attached to their way of fishing and no longer are willing to explore other possibilities. Sure, they still catch fish. But the problem with this way of thinking is that you'll never be able to improve as a fishermen. If you aren't open to new fishing techniques, you won't be able to raise your game to the next level.

Great fishermen are always listening to others (novice and experts) because they know there's a chance they may hear something they've not heard or thought of before. They know that others (including newbie anglers) just may be on to something.

In this case, the wife (a newbie trout fisher) was right! Trout do LOVE mealworms. In fact, mealworms were always my grandpa's first choice in bait - and he caught countless trout using them.

Consider this as well. Rainbow trout are famous for biting on marshmallows, cheese (preferably cheddar), and corn. These bait sources defy logic - and yet somebody had to be the first one to try it. In my mind, it was either a small child or a desperate fishermen (who ran out of bait and was having too good a day to quit - so he used what he had left). Either way, this is thinking outside the box!

According to legend, floating jigs were invented by a desperate fishermen who was having one of those great fishing days. He ran out of bait and didn't want to call it day. So he broke off a piece of his Styrofoam bait container and glued it to his hook and then added a dab of nail polish (borrowed from his wife) for color. Defying logic, he caught more fish using this technique.

The history of the fishing spoon is similar. According to legend, Julio T. Buel (inventor of the first fishing spoon) was out trout fishing one day and took a break to eat a jar of fruit. He was sitting in his boat when he dropped his spoon. It fell in the water and twirled at is sunk - and as it did, he watched a big trout lunge for it and swim off with it. The rest is history.

These stories help remind us that great things happen when we're willing to think outside the box. There are many more stories like this - and I like to believe we still have some great trout fishing tips and techniques to discover. We just have to be open to the idea and willing to experiment and learn!

Labels: fishing legends, fishing stories, thinking outisde the box, trout fishing techniques, trout fishing tips

It's a good idea to change your fishing line at least once a year. And most anglers prefer to do this before they start the spring trout fishing season. This is when they're pulling out all of their tackle to make sure they have everything they'll need in the upcoming months.

Over time, your line is weakened by the sun and snags which stretch the line. It can also become stained from the water and other dirt and debris can help weaken the line. In short, it becomes brittle and worn out over time. And this can result in losing that trophy size trout!

Many anglers will change their lines more frequently than this since they tend to use the same rod and reel for different fishing conditions. But at the very least, you'll want to be sure and change your fishing line at least once per fishing season (or once a year).

Don't forget to clean the reel too once you have all the old line off it. Give it a good rinse with warm water. Use and old toothbrush or Q-Tip to clean hard to reach places. If you're mechanically inclined, you might even want to take the reel apart and clean the gears (but be sure you can put it back together again before doing this).

I would only suggest taking apart your spinning reel if you're using a higher-end reel. Always check the manufacturer's site for specific instructions on caring for your spinning reel. Using too much grease or oil could end up being worse than having left things alone.

When putting new line on the reel, you'll generally want to use 4 or 6 lb test line for trout fishing. You can also use 2 or 8 lb test for trout fishing, but these lines are generally used for specific lakes or rivers where a lighter or heavier line might be warranted.

If you've never changed your fishing line before, it's really easy. The trick is to pay attention when putting the line on the spool. Thread the line through the eyes of the pole first. Make sure the line goes under the bail before tying it to the spool. If done properly, you should be able to reel new line onto the spool.

Reeling will go much faster if you stick a pencil through the new line spool and have somebody hold it while you reel.

While this may seem like a hassle to some, having fresh line will help ensure you're able to land the big trout this season rather than lose him to a broken line!

For more trout fishing tips, check out our complete beginner's trout fishing eBook.

Labels: fishing line, fishing tips, tackle tips, trout fishing tips

Steelhead trout fishing has been shut down on Cleveland's local rivers and streams in Ohio due to ice cover. But trout fishing remains good elsewhere.

Cleveland Metropark lakes continue to be one of best places in the Cleveland area to catch trout right now. These lakes have been recently stocked and more stockings are expected soon.
Wallace and Shadow lakes have been providing the best fishing, although trout have also been released at Ranger, Judge and Ledge lakes.

Try using 4 lb test line rigged with a split shot and small float. Small hooks or ice jigs tipped with PowerBait, wax worms, maggots, salmon eggs, and small minnows have been working really well.

Labels: ohio trout fishing, trout fishing tips, winter trout tips

With warm weather predicted in Nassau County this weekend, trout fishing is expected to be excellent.

Captain Jim Johnson (a.k.a. Tight Lines) recommends live shrimp or mud minnows will be the live bait to use whether fished from a float rig or from a jig with the minnow hooked behind the lips. The live shrimp should be hooked through the tail. The north and south jetties, Tiger Basin and the Bell River are just a few of the local trout fishing favorites.

Do not forget speckled trout fishing closes in February and reopens March 1.

For more Florida fishing tips, click here.

Labels: Florida Trout Fishing Records, trout fishing tips

There's no better time to catch trout like a pro! I just reduced the price on the "Best-Kept Trout Fishing Tips" eBook to $19.99 (a $7 savings). This is just my way of saying "Merry Christmas" and hope you'll be encouraged to get out and enjoy the winter trout fishing season.

This has been one of the best trout fishing seasons all over the country. In many states, the winter trout fishing season is just beginning. Enjoy it while you can!

This offer is only valid through December 25th. After that, the price will go back to $27!

Labels: Best-Kept trout fishing tips, best-kept trout tishing secrets, trout fishing tips

1. Fish in water temperatures between 50-68 degrees Fahrenheit (this is when they’re most comfortable and actively feeding)


2. Use light tackle (4-8 lb test and hook size 12-16)


3. Use 12-18 inch leaders


4. Use worms, spinners, artificial flies, for bait (floating worms are great too)


5. Use PowerBait (such as Berkley Trout Powerbait Twist) when fishing for Rainbow Trout


6. When fishing in rivers and streams, cast your line upstream and let it drift down in the feeding lane. Ideally, you’re standing behind the fish and casting your line in front of him and letting it drift back to the fish.


7. Look for trout lies (places they may be hanging out in) - especially in rivers and streams.


8. In lakes, watch for trout rising to the surface. If you see repeated jumpers in the area, cast your line there.


9. Fish in early morning and early evening (trout actively feed during these two periods).


10. Watch your hands when handling bait. The less you touch your bait when putting it on the hook, the better. Also be careful to wash off any sun block, lotion or other unnatural odors before handling bait. If the odor is unnatural to trout, they'll avoid your bait (who says they’re just dumb fish?!).

There are a lot more trout fishing tips. But these are some of the top ones that will help improve your chances of catching more trout. As mentioned yesterday, temperature has a lot to do with catching trout. Tips #1 and #9 also reflect this.

In addition to morning and evening temps, seasonal temps play a role too. This is why fishing in Fall and Spring are usually the best seasons for trout fishing.

For more great tips for trout fishing, check out my eBook, "Trout Fishing Tips".

Labels: trout fishing tips