Fishing for stocked Rainbows, Browns, and Brookies can be a blast if you know what to do and how to fish for these energetic and hungry fish. Some people will argue that they do not need to read an article written on the internet to teach them how to increase their catch rate for a fish whose sole purpose is to be caught. But if you are the person trying to hone their skills then this article is for you.
There are a few simple and helpful hints that can make a world of difference when targeting stocked trout, and if you give them a try, I guarantee you will increase you catch rates. Here are EpicWalleye’s tips for the best fishing methods for stocked trout.
List of the Best fishing methods for stocked trout:
- Lower the pound test fishing line that you are using down to 2lb. Too many stream fisherman use heavy line (6lb and higher). The truth of the matter is that the fish can see your line. Especially in clear water conditions. This will prevent the trout from taking your bait and will drastically decrease the number of fish caught in a days’ time. I prefer to use 2lb Berkley Vanish. This line has always proven itself time and time again and is one of the best that I have used.
- The size and sharpness of the hook matters! The best hooks that I have found when looking for the perfect hook set is the Daiichi Size 8 Egg Hook. I know that it is hard to justify using expensive hooks, especially when fishing in a stream where you know you will be losing them. But the most important part of fishing is the hook set. And if you have a crappy set, you will lose the fish plain and simple. Sharpness of the hook is critical, and Daiichi has some of the sharpest hooks on the market. When you finally have a bite, you want to make sure that you get good penetration of the hook into the mouth of that trout! Also, too many people make the critical mistake in using a giant hook. This doesn’t seem like that big of a deal but trust me it is. Too big of a hook does not allow the bait to act natural in the water column. The fish will see it and be deterred from eating it. Using a smaller sized hook seems counter intuitive but it WILL produce more catches.
- Bait! There are a few great baits that stand above the rest when it comes to fishing for stockies. But my number one favorite is off white colored Mike’s Salmon Eggs. This is a bait that is natural to trout and triggers their instinct to eat. The key is to use the off-white colored ones because they are the most natural looking eggs and seem to produce more fish. Some other great baits to use are wax worms, and spinners such as Kast Masters or Rooster Tails. The spinners work very well for Browns and Brookies. They seem to be more aggressive than Rainbows are and love to chase a spinner. Cast the spinner diagonally down stream and reel a little faster than the current. They will follow it until they are ready to hit it.
- Figuring out the right amount of weight to use is critical in stream fishing. You want to be able to feel the bottom of the stream with a slight ticking sensation. This means that the bait is rolling on the bottom with the current pushing it. This will present the fish with a natural bait presentation and will be more likely to be picked up by the fish you are targeting. I like to start out with two of the smallest split shots that I can buy. If I am not feeling bottom, then I will add an additional weight until I have the perfect amount of ticking. If it is hitting bottom too hard, and you are getting snagged, take of one split shot at a time until you find the ideal weight combination. I like to keep my weights about a foot above my hook. But you can play with this height until it works and produces fish.
- The rod is also a very important component when stream fishing. I like to use an ultralight action rod that is between 6.5 and 7 feet long. The light action provide a means to feel the bottom of the stream and the biting of the trout. My favorite is the St. Croix Trout Freshwater Spinning Rod paired with an Okuma Helios Lightweight Spinning Reel. This is a great combination that will last a lifetime if taken care of.
This list of the best fishing methods for stocked trout will help to increase the catch rate of stocked trout. Even though they seem like they are easy to catch and may not need to be fished for in a technical way, using these tips and gear listed above will aide you in catching for fish. Through practice and patience, you will master the craft of fishing for stocked trout. Don’t forget to follow EpicWalleye on Facebook for the latest articles and updates. And remember, you can be as good of a fisherman/woman as you want to be, just get out and fish! And always take a kid fishing! Learn how to catch more steelhead by clicking here!
