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 trolling, a few different options work well with these vigorous trout. Spinners, such as the Panther Martin, are known to be very successful, while the vibrations of a flat fish type of lure will equal in comparison, when stalking these yummy fish. A personal favorite has to be the imitation minnow with lots of silver fleck, the big fish love them. Lures will also work well in fast moving rivers or when casting into deeper water, but make sure to watch for river snags as these little babies are not cheap! For deep pools and lakes, a weighted trout jig can be very successful to find those deeper schools quite a bit faster, and definitely assure the best catch of the day.
If the shore is where you plan to spend the morning a fly rod and a selection of flies may be more your style. When considering fly fishing in a new area, the local fly or bait shop will be your new best resource. Here, you will find accurate information on which fly pattern is best to use and which hatch is on. Other information that is good to inquire about, is whether to use floating line or sinking line with your fly, and if wet or dry flies would be best. The best advice of all is be sure to show your appreciation for the information and pick up at least a small assortment of flies from the bearer of the good information!
In conclusion, the best bait to use when fishing for rainbow trout varies completely with the time of year and the area you plan to fish.