How to Fish for the Really Big Trout
Article by Heidi Rucki
Old Timers have a saying that “If you find the bait, you will find the fish.” Pretty simple advice when you think about it – Watch for commotion by birds or water surface disturbances. Where you see birds hunting, you’ll find fish since these water instabilities are undoubtedly not lost on the trout!
Certainly, if you want to catch a trout, then by all means head out to a well-stocked pond or brook location with all the other opening day fishermen and hope to get lucky. However, if you are willing to figure out methods and means or listen to sage advice that work best for catching big, fat trout, then read on.
There are myriad methods, baits, lures and advice for catching trout; here are a few trout fishing tricks that may help you can land a big one.
No. 1 – Find the trout
Remember that Rainbows and other trout prefer water temperatures of 56 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll always find the trout if you get as close as possible to this ideal water temp. Furthermore, you’ll locate plenty of fish near water surfaces when air temperatures are cold. Conversely, if it’s a hot day, the fish descend to the deeper, cooler water.
No. 2 – Take this expert tip to your favorite brook, pond or lake
Always prioritize changing your fishing line before you head out on a “get the big one trip” since line becomes brittle and weak after use. Last thing you want is to hook a big one, only to have less than a stellar performance by the line or, worse, have the line snap. The simple resolution that puts the odds in your favor is to merely replace the fishing line at the “gitgo.”
One other tip you may not know – That big trout is Grandpa. This guy is stout as nails, experienced, and is the proud owner of a really tough mouth. Use a sharp new hook (try a Number 4) if you want to catch this big bad boy.
No. 3 – Use some old-time all-important advice when you cast
Your fishing spot is great, there’s activity by fish and birds and you’re ready to drop baited hook to get “Grandpa.” Drop the tip of your rod slightly into the water after the cast to assure getting maximum distance. The best part of this tip is that you will automatically maintain a tout line. If it is windy, using this cast method will prevent line arcing and you will not lose control of the bait.
That brings to mind another awesome tip for fishermen – never (never!) use bug repellant before or during line baiting. Grandpa is sensitive, smart and severely repelled by even the slightest whiff of bug repellant.
No. 4 – Give Grandpa a bait banquet
Rainbows and all trout enjoy a hearty meal and are always ravenous. The Old Gray Mare has compiled family tricks as well as Old Timers’ word of mouth recipes and suggestions so that Grandpa or his trout friends will want to jump on your hooks!
Trout Recipe 1: Mix up 2 ounces of good old Cod Liver Oil and 20 Anise Oil Drops (get these ingredients at the pharmacy). Blend these “odiferous” liquids well; cover tightly. At the fishing hole, dip the bait into the blended mixture and coat thoroughly. Happy fishing!
Trout Recipe 2: Get the ingredients at the grocery store or in a health food store. Mix up 2 ounces of ground All Spice and 8 ounces of ground Anise Seed (OR substitute Fennel Seed instead of Anise Seed). Sprinkle 1-1/16 ounce Oil of Cloves over this mixture and blend well. Once you’ve arrived at your fishing spot, put a generous dollop of your secret lure blend on the hook and enjoy your destiny with Grandpa!
Trout Recipe No. 3: Old Timers insist that ordinary biscuit dough is the perfect bait to angle for trout. I was told by a champion fisher at Bigelow Hollow State Park in Connecticut that, “An unbaked piece of biscuit will get ’em every time.”
Trout Recipe No. 4: Use this simple trick to get Grandpa. Plop your worm or favorite bait into a Smoked Oyster Can – hey! Don’t waste the Oysters – eat them first. Ever try baiting with them? Anyway, coat your bait well and relax as Grandpa, or a member of his associates, jump aboard the banquet, hook-line-and-sinker. Oh yes, the fish positively love this!
I have one final tip for avid fishermen. If you’ve been successful baiting with worms or salmon eggs, try impaling a mini-marshmallow on the hook, too. That soft little addition to the hook will keep your bait afloat and, hopefully, Grandpa will find it irresistible.
Fishing is communing with the great outdoors, and it will put a meal on the table for the shrewd angler. Try a new fishing trick and, hopefully, you’ll be telling whoppers about “The Big One” soon.
About the Author
Rucki writes as The Old Gray Mare on her websites and some public sites. She is active in the horse industry, is an expert horse woman, is a successful freelance author, is published and has a passion for family, horses, dogs and stained glass arts. Presently, Rucki’s websites include: http://www.DressYourHorse.com; wwww.TShirtsbyLily.com; http://www.Amway.com/HealthandHomebyHeidi; a startup Everything About Horses blog on http://www.OurHorseBlog.com.