wanted: advice on catching trout on spinning gear

[CALVINIST]

I planned on getting outfitted for fly-fishing this spring, but since I bought a fish-trap this winter, thats out of the question. I am planning a trip to Colorado this summer, and since I won't be able to fly fish, I'll try to catch trout on spinning gear. I have never done this before, so I need help on presentation, what to do, etc. I hear that the smaller, Mepps-type bucktail spinners are good on trout. Thanks for any and all advice!!!

[-Marc V-]

Howdy Calvinist,

When I pursue trout on the spin, which is probably once or twice a year. Mainly a fly guy, but started spin fishing trout, and still do occasionally. In SE MN I mainly use Panther Martin spinners anywhere from size 1 up to size 6 or 8. I try to have both gold and silver spinner blades because some days they seem to hit more on one then another. Color patterns that have worked well in MN are black bodies with yellow dots and a gold blade, and yellow and red dotted bodies with gold or silver blades. Either casted upstream, and retreived back fast enough to make the spinner spin, or casting across stream and letting the spinner swing down stream some on the retreive.

If I'm mainly hunting for larger trout I go with floating Rapalas. I personally prefer trout patterns. Or silver and gold are main staples. Depending on how big of trout you want to catch, or are present in the waters you'll be fishing, you could go pretty big with rapalas. Probably up to 4"-6". Any sizes smaller will work also. Usually casted up and across, or from the side as well.

Otherwise I've used smaller red tube jigs with success in pools for rainbows. I've heard white twister tails on jigheads can work well for jigging thru deeper pools for larger browns trout. Usually from the side, or above the pool, but keep a low profile if approaching from upstream.

That's what I personally would bring and feel confident I'd catch fish on something.

Usually work upstream if you can. Trout face upstream to fight the current, so you can come up from behind them easier without being seen. They're probably not going to bite if they see you and spook. Try to stay out of the stream as much as possible.

It might be worth calling a few outfitters down there and ask around to see if they have any lure suggestions also.

[tunrevir]

MarcV said it pretty well. Long time no see Calvinist! Any adventure on the river this past spring? Nice hawger of a bass by the way! I like to make sure I have 4lb. test 6 1/2-7' rod light spinning reel and you should be good to go. I like the longer rod for casting and light line is a must for tossing those light spinners ect. I'd look for spinners in the 0-2 range, mepps run a bit shallower like the rooster tails and my favorite is the panther martin which runs a bit deeper. I also like super small spoons, cleo, daredevil in various metallic tones. Find out from an outfitter fronm out in Colorado what type of baits, river depths, currents you will be dealing with and that should help narrow your choice for baits. Secondly, don't forget obout a clear casting bubble type bobber and a short lead to a wet/dry fly. You can use this almost as effective as a flyrod in turbulent water, calm water tends to spook the fish when the clear bobber moves but not always. Caught many a fish with that method. Keep your eyes open when at the bait shops this winter too as some of them carry tiny little spoons that work well for trout! Good luck this spring and hope you have a super trip!

Tunrevir~

[CALVINIST]

Thanks for all the advice, guys!

tunrevir,

my boat motor fried on me this spring, and was plagued with numerous other problems, so my time on the river was very limited. Did camp out at Goose creek on the Croix for walleyes last spring and did very well. Also did one kayak trip with cyberfish on the 'sippi, and that was about it. Got a different motor for the boat now. An old 20hp Merc. Kiekhieffer. Works well, but leaks a small bit of fuel when the lower unit is in, which I understand is pretty normal for an old engine like that. I'll probably still have it looked at though. The bass I caught on a small lake over by where I live. Caught in in a float tube, which is fun/practical way to catch fish in lakes without a boat launch. Where do you get out trout fishing anyway, in Wisconsin?

[tunrevir]

I like to fish the trout in the spring, the kinni, Brule, a few little creeks in Minnesota that I know of, some over near Ladysmith and especially the lakes, rivers up the north shore! Both wisc. and Mn, put out maps with trout streams delinieated which are pretty handy. I have fished a few creeks and lakes out west near Craig, Colorado as well. I have to say that sometimes they were hitting the flys alot better then the hardware but I still managed to hook a few fish. You might enjoy ice fishing for them out on Christmas lake over in your neck of the woods, fun through the ice! Good luck and take care!

Tunrevir~

[fishface]

Calvinist, hi,

I'm a friend of Cyb's If you'd like, have him connect us. I've been on a trout kick for the past year or so.

Lot's of fun!

Jim

[Flaco651]

I like to use vibrax spinners, vibrax minnows, and rapalas when using spinning gear.

[PikeHarms]

Calvinist

I personally like to use a 8 1/2ft med light action rod with 1 or 2lb test...The extra lenth gives you pletty of play with the light line..Some days it just doesn't matter and other days I'll outfish my buddies 5 to 1 and I believe it's because of the light line. My fovorite lures are 1, gold vibrax usually a #1...2, silver vibrax again in a #1 and 3, a 1/8th oz white maribou jig...I fish MN, WI, NC, AZ, MT, and ofourse CO and they work everywhere...I'm not sure where your going in CO but It's always best to be above 10,000 feet, there are graet streams and rivers below that but most are heavily populated, hard to access and get fished ALOT. Also I've found the small beaver ponds out there to be awesome for the brook trout. If you're interested I wouldn't mind taking you out to show you a couple tricks.

[Cyberfish]

Calvie, why didn't you tell me you are going to colorado? or mabye you did, there is nothing in my head to keep it from going in one ear and out the other... anyhow, you can use my st croix 5 wt if you still want to fling some flies!

Fishyface good to see you back online!!!!

[lookincalifornia]

i find that a countdown rap will run a little more true in fast current. and big browns love to eat little rainbows.

if you can find pink roostertails, they have replaced the yellow bodied panther martin as my favorite spinner.

it has been years since i fished colorado, but did get some good browns on a gold PM spinner on the south platte

i used to like the rebel helgremite, but all mine are gone now. if you can find them, they can be really good as well.

[CALVINIST]

Lot's of good advice, thanks! For anyone who would like to hoop up with me and show me a couple things, I would be interested...

[email protected]

Cybe,

Thought I told you but I forgot? I guess together we have a couple brain cells. I might be interested, just weighing the options between using equipment and techniques I an familiar with (spinning) verses trying something new (fly fishing) Is it possible to learn how to fly fish in a very short period before my trip this summer? Something tells me it's not that easy!

If anyone would like to chime in and tell me which would be more profitable for a trout newbie (spinning verses fly), I would appreciate it

tunrevir,

There are some metro area trout lakes I would like to try...just haven't done it yet. Where have you been fishing this ice season. Forest?