by Jessica A. Tucker

Created on: September 22, 2009   Last Updated: January 21, 2011

At sunrise, the boat launch buzzes with action, as trucks and cars wait patiently for their turn to get a boat in the water and test their luck on the lake for the day. As the sun comes up, the fish begin to rise looking hungrily for the morning hatch of different insects that sprinkle the water.

Every fisherman has their own secrets as to which bait works best at each time of year. Some believe in simplicity of the worm and bobber, while others prefer a good selection of lures, spinners, plugs, flashers, and imitation bait products. When looking to catch a nice fat rainbow, some prefer the steadiness of a fly rod and a healthy selection of brightly tied flies, matching the different hatches of insects that layer the lake, creek, or river.  The best bait to use for rainbow trout fishing varies heavily depending on whether you are heading out for a day on the lake to troll, shore fishing with a spin cast rod, or fishing the river with your fly rod.

When considering baits for catching rainbow trout; worms, night crawlers, and the many varieties of live baits that are commonly used, can often now be substituted with imitation bait products. These products are usually scented and molded to imitate the many types of smaller fish and insects that rainbow trout will feed on and can be found down an aisle at your local fishing, bait or tackle store. Before using human food as bait for catching rainbow trout, it is best to research or inquire about any negative effects that the food may have on the digestive system of the fish, or their environment. When using any live bait, such as minnows, crawfish, seafood products, it is also best to first research any local regulations on bait use in the area you plan to be fishing.

When out to catch a beautiful rainbow trout, lures are also a popular choice of bait. One of the most common of sights on a busy lake is often the long line of flashers, tailed by a lure known as ‘the wedding ring’. Whether truth or tale, the combination is widely believed to drive a rainbow crazy. Aside from 'the wedding ring', there are many other choices of lures available at most bait and tackle stores. Lures come in a variety of forms, shapes and sizes, from soft plastic imitations of frogs and minnows, to sparkly spinners and flatfish. The best choice for lures when catching rainbows, also depends on the current hatch and whether you are heading out in the boat for the day or spending the afternoon sitting on the riverbank.

When

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>