subject: Great Tips for Using Live Trout Bait [print this page] When it comes to trout fishing bait, there are many different options depending on where you are fishing, what you are targeting and what kind of fishing you are doing. Even though live bait fishing has been disallowed in a lot of areas do to the potential danger to the fish, if you can find an area that allows it then you are in for some fun! Generally, rivers and streams that are stocked allow for the use of live bait. Those waters that contain only wild trout are ones where you might want to stick to artificial lures or flies. Live trout bait can be very effective for catching multiple fish, especially for these stocked trout that we mentioned. If you are fishing when they have just been put into the river then they will go crazy over most anything that you have on the end of your line. Let's take a look at some specific types of live bait and talk about why they are so effective.
Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers are generally a very good yet overlooked option for trout fishing. They tend to work best in rivers or streams in warm, windy weather. This is because most grasshoppers are more prevalent in warm climates just like other insects, and they tend to fall or be blown into the water on windy days. This is not to say that you cannot use them if there is no wind, but trout will naturally be preying on grasshoppers more on a windy day in the summertime.
Worms
Some people frown upon the use of worms for trout fishing, but in reality, they can be one of the best types of bait out there. This is simply because trout naturally prey on live worms every day, so introducing one in the water that happens to be on the end of your line is really no different. Trout have a great sense of smell, and worms give off that real live bait smell that you cannot create with artificial lures. This will draw them closer to the bait and enable them to see it if they couldn't already, and that's when it's important to disguise your hook in the worm's body. If this is done correctly, it will be difficult not to catch tons of fish!
Minnows
Minnows are also a very good choice for attracting these clever fish. They key to fishing with minnows is to not kill them with your hook. If you can feed your hook through the body only to slightly injure the minnow then it will appear as a real scenario to the trout. If the trout sees the bait swimming as normal but appearing partially injured then it will probably go after it right away. Think about it; if you are looking to eat something that is alive, you are much more likely to entertain the idea if you don't have to put up a huge fight. Trout are smart and they use the same logic.
