Trout Fishing Bait Hooks
What equipment do I need to fish for rainbow trout in a lake?
I haven’t really ever fished before, but will be this weekend in northern washington state. What kinds of things will I need, for lures, equipment, bait, hooks etc? We will be fishing from shore and also from canoes. Thanks.
If you allready have a rod and reel, check the condition of the line, if over 2-3 years old, been stored where it gets hot (garage or shed) or where lots of sun (UV degrades mono line) it is time to replace. On the Rod near reel seat (handle) is manufactures reccomendations for line size. If you dont have a Rod/Reel setup a basic unit can be purchased at any decent sporting goods store or if you are feeling a bit adventerous try a pawn shop, have found some real finds here.
Go to a dollar store and purchase a small parts tray/divided tray with well fitting lid, cheapest place to get them and might as well save a few bucks. Have found my favorite at Harbor Freight tools. A small tool bag works good too. Don’t reccomend the classic “Tackle box” as the trays will spill really easy when dropped or tipped over.
Now that you have someplace to put your gear what do you put in it. Lets keep it simple, a package of snap swivels appropriate to your line, a couple of packs of sliding egg sinkers (dont get too large, you can always add a second) a spool of leader line, about 4lb is a good start, a couple of packs of hooks ( I like to use a fine wire, long shank, Fly Fishing hook for streamers, they float easier with floating bait(more on this later)).
For bait…… HMMMM gotta go with Power bait or any alternative of floating putty bait, Gulp works well for me, as far as color Flourescent pink, Chartruse, and maybee White. Either the paste or the Eggs, the eggs are good because easy to handle and last longer. Use only enough to float the hook too big a glop and the hook will be too deply buried in it. 1/2 a nightcrawler and a Mini marshmallow is always a classic bait. No need to use the whole crawler just a waste.
For a lure I would stick with a couple of medium spoons, Chrome works most of the time, A Roostertail/Bangtail in a few ranging colors Brown, Red, Green.
And you must have ( I still carry one even though I have been fishing and tying line for 35 years) a Knot tying book/pamphlet. Trust me unless you know how tying a knot in Monofiliment line is nearly impossible especially if you want them to stay tied. Bummer to loose a real keeper and find it was your knot that failed.
A small set of finger nail clippers will make cutting the monofiliment line a real breeze, they dont weigh anything or cost much.
Keep in mind most fishing gear is not to catch fish it is to catch fishermen. Keep it simple, if it gets lost (and it will) your not out much, it is easily replaced at just about any minimart that advertises fishing gear (good place to check out what works for the local area while you are filling up the ice chest with Beer and microwaving a gut bomb of a Burrito). The expensive gadgets will come later as your expertise grows.
A 4′ piece of cord as a fish stringer (gotta have good thoughts).
Above all, have a good time. And remenber it is called Fishing not Catching for a reason.
Tying Hooks- Building Walleye or Trout Spinner Baits & Crawler Harnesses by Chis Pluntz