When it comes to catching trout in streams, lakes or ponds bait is hard to beat. Bait is anything that is a natural source of food for a trout. Good examples of bait are worms, minnows and insects. There are some general rules you should follow to meet with success when using baits for trout.
Trout can inhabit cold stream, rivers, lakes and ponds. However, how a trout will feed is largely dependent on what type of habitat he lives in. For instance, trout that inhabit streams and rivers are more stationary and rely on the current to deliver food to them. On the other hand, trout in lakes and ponds are very active predators that are constantly on the move in search of food. These are the main factors to remember when fishing bait for trout.
When stream and river fishing an angler should be more active when fishing bait. Keeping your bait drifting with the current is the key. Your bait should flow naturally below the surface of the water with the current. This will require a new cast each time your bait gets to the end of its drift. Target areas where faster water meets deeper water. Trout like to sit in the protection of the deeper water, but still rely on the current to bring them food. It is wise to try and weight your bait to keep it near the bottom, but don’t add to much weight so your bait gets stuck on the bottom. If your bait is not moving to the trout they are not going to actively seek it out in a stream.
Lakes and ponds require a much different fishing strategy. Since the trout are constantly on the move leaving your bait stationary is a much better option. Leaving your bait stationary either under a bobber or lowered into the water from a boat is your best bet. Feel free to jig your bait up and down a little but constantly casting your bait to different spots may be futile since the trout are constantly on the move. Also you should understand where the trout like to swim in the lake or pond you are fishing. Some species of trout like open water like Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout, other trout like Lake Trout prefer swimming near the bottom.
The final thing to remember when fishing bait is choosing the right bait. Trout in streams in rivers feed heavily on worms and insects and do not eat as many minnows as trout in a lake, so worms and insects should be your first choice in streams and rivers. Trout in lakes tend to eat smaller fish, so minnow work best. While all baits will work you will have greater success if you fish with the most common food for the trout.
Bait fishing is hands down the most effective way to catch trout. Whether you are fishing a stream, river, lake or pond properly fishing bait will increase your catch rates. Follow the tips I’ve given and you will be on your way to catching more trout.
