Stick bait jerk bait trout streams

[TDS]

Which lure and size has the best action for smaller streams? I currently use Panther Martins and have had good success. Just looking to broaden my fishing experience.

[gtfourmn]

A small floating rap works wonders.

[TDS]

Has anyone used Lucky Craft Pointers 65sp, or 78sp? How does the action compare to the Husky jerk-baits or X-Raps?

[goblueM]

i like the smallest size husky jerk-baits - they can have very erratic action, which sometimes is a good trigger. I don't like how they track (poorly) in current though

I also use the smallest x-raps, and floating and countdown raps

small non-minnow cranks are under utilized, i think. I often use a small crayfish or fat-rap kind of bait in deeper holes

edit - usually natural colors, something with flash - silver, tennesee shad, gold. Although to be honest, i think the action and placement matter more than the color. Sure, some colors work better on some streams or in certain conditions, but overall the profile, action, and where you cast matter more

[JBMasterAngler]

What colors do you guys prefer? I recently just started using floating raps for bass with good success, would be nice if I could use them to up the size of the trout I catch as well.

[waterbound]

I've used small floating Rapalas before with some luck. I just toss them just above a pool and let it drift through, retrieving it all the while so it swims toward me while the current pushes it sideways, making it appear to struggle in the current. Any color should work, but in streams with numbers of brown trout try gold or even brown trout patterns. Streams with rainbows should work well with silver patterns. Bring a variety of colors and see what works best.

[grate8]

smalll rainbow trout patterns work too

smallmoth AND trout

[walleye365]

huskys,countdowns,jointed,floaters have worked well for me.colors trout,blues,greens,oranges,firetiger,hotsteel,and purpledecent.

[lakerunner]

Guys--I'm strictly a hardware trout fisherman. I grew up fishing the blue-ribbon trout streams of MI. Because of the depth of the streams, I always used floating raps. If I needed them to sink a little I would use a little split-shot. But my favorite way to use them was to "back-troll" them into the leading edge of the hole or run. Meaning, let it float down aways (free spool), then engage and let it dive under, then repeat as I would slowly work my way into the hole. This action made the bait look as if it ways tired--bait would swim (dive) and then float with the current (free spool).

Raps (and I'm sure any other stick bait) worked especially good when spawning was occuring. Brown trout would always be working the back of the redds during the spring steelhead spawn--browns spawn in the fall so I wasn't catching spawning fish. The seem to get really aggressive when any type of fish might come in to compete for the spawn floating downstream.

My other go-to's were #4 and #6 black and gold PM's. Couldn't beat them hands-down. My clients always wanted to try their own rigs but when they couldn't catch fish, the PM's came on and it was lights-out.

[goblueM]

lakerunner, where'd you grow up?

My family has property on the AuSable, I grew up flies-only

I've since graduated to bait-dunking in the SE MN streams, as well as flyfishing

[s t fanatic]

sorry guys, my lips are sealed on this one.

[TDS]

sorry guys, my lips are sealed on this one.

Sorry, I just joined thought maybe this forum was about sharing ideas.

[lakerunner]

My hometown was actually GR but I "grew up" in Irons. I lived (and guided) on both the Big and Little Manistee rivers. Every chance I get, I sneak back there. I really miss having "large" fish in a river nearly year-round. Spring steelhead run (which usually lasted until mid/end-May. Skamania run in July along with some Kings and Cohos, full out salmon run shortly after, followed by the lake-run browns, then fall steelhead run for those that would winter-over. Man I miss it!!!

[Cooter]

Heard good things about yo-zuri pin's minnows.

[TDS]

Heard good things about yo-zuri pin's minnows.

I have heard the same thing. Does anyone know the sizes? I assume it's the floater. What Colors?

[s t fanatic]

yo-zuri works decent but a little spendy for my taste. i dont fish many husky jerk-baits either. love the action but i find that the floater is almost a necessity in the streams i fish. i also stick to the more neutral/natural colors.

[Cooter]

TDS, I bought a bunch my buds recommended - I'll try to take a peek at them this weekend and let you know what sizes.

[deets22]

I fish on a piece of water that has alot of browns. They really like floating raps with silver and gold, but my best rap is any of my brown trout pattern. I'm thinking that sice there isn't alot of fish diversity in some cold water streams they must prey on the smaller ones quite a bit.

[goblueM]

they sure do. biggest trout i've ever seen ignored my crawler for the longest time. then he ignored my spinner, rap, everythign in the box

finally when i hooked the 8 incher next to him, he came out and tried to eat the smaller trout.

[panfishpounder00]

you know, i hate when people do that, you the op post something asking for some input, and somebody has to chime in and say " my lips are sealed" . why post? yeah, he did come back with a reply that showed some sort of help anyway. but yeah, i believe any stick bait should do the trick. just pay close attention to the water your fishing, if the pools are deep then i would go with a countdown or something similiar. if the pools are shallow, then a floating jointed rap is something i would go with. smaller streams i do not fish a rap like lure, i have my clients fish in-line spinners or a casting bubble with either a non-wieghted/wieghted nymph or dry fly attached to a light leader material.

[TDS]

Quote:

casting bubble with either a non-wieghted/wieghted nymph or dry fly attached to a light leader material.

Thanks for the info. Do you flip the bubble above the pool and let the current do the work? What kind of bubble do you use in small streams?

[Nate McVey]

Welcome to the boards TDS! Looking forward to your future posts.

[panfishpounder00]

Quote:

casting bubble with either a non-wieghted/wieghted nymph or dry fly attached to a light leader material.

Thanks for the info. Do you flip the bubble above the pool and let the current do the work? What kind of bubble do you use in small streams?

yes i gently flip the bubble above the pool and let the crrent do MOST of the work, you still have to mend the line into position of a waiting trout. a small CLEAR bubble is a must! i also use a generous leader, no shorter than 24 in. the bubble is used only for a wieght source, as you would not be able to cast a fly as small as a sz. 24 midge or nymph with spinning gear.another method that i use is to go above the pool and let the line drop in down stream, this takes any concerns for spooking a wary fish, no splashes, or sudden movement in the water. the nice thing about a casting bubble is most of them allow you to add water inside of it, this can be extremely useful when fish are at varying depths of the stream. if one wanted, you can add a hi-vis line on the main line, this makes for seeing strikes much easier, i used to do this when i first started out, i know use a clear mono. no more than 6lb test, if i'm fishing for browns, then i may step up to 8 lb test, if i fish brookies then i use 4 lb. bows are a personal prefrence as i've seen many not spook with a heavier line.

[TDS]

Thanks again, I have a few woolly buggers I will try from Cabelas. Is there a good online store that makes quality flies?

[panfishpounder00]

there are tons of on-line stores to choose from, only problem is most of the stores only offer you a dozen of the same fly in one size and color, no mix and match. shoot me an e-mail at my address below and i can hook you up with some great links! also i'm sure if you ask nicely, some of the great fly tyers on here might be able to hook you up, for a small fee i'm sure. looks like this thread has drifted away from the stick bait so to keep it going, i should also add that small husky jerk-baits are deadly on big browns pretty much throughout the whole season, but pay close attention to the water temp as browns prefer a little warmer water than thier counter parts, brookies prefer the coldest water.