subject: 10 Tips for an Improved Trout Fishing Experience [print this page] Many people all over the world love to fish for trout, whether they are experienced anglers or simply beginners looking for some fun and recreation. They all have one thing in common, however; everyone wants to catch as many fish as they can. You might want to catch fish for dinner that night, or it could be just to have bragging rights with your friends. Whatever the case may be, we all share that common goal. You can never have enough trout fishing info if you want to be a successful angler. Here are some general tips for enhancing your trout fishing experience!
1. Equipment Weight It is important to try to use equipment that is light in weight when trout fishing. Sometimes anglers try to overdo it with real heavy rods, bait or lures, but this will often hurt more than help. Most anglers will need a variety of bait, lure or fly options with them, depending on the type of trout fishing. You may find yourself getting slowed down by a bunch of heavy equipment, so you can just keep that in mind.
2. Colors The color of your clothing and gear is very important. The ideal colors are dull or blend in with surroundings, as trout have a keen sense of sight and can spot you in no time. Try to avoid bright equipment if you can because this will most likely scare the fish away.
3. Unnatural Scents Be aware of unnatural scents on you or your clothing, as trout also have strong sense of smell. This applies especially to your hands since your hands touch the bait before it enters the water. It is a good idea to wipe your hands off in the dirt or grass before touching the bait because trout will not be fooled by unnatural scents.
4. Bait Appearance Your bait should be natural in appearance. It is generally a good idea to make your bait appear alive and injured, as it will look more vulnerable to its trout predators. This especially holds true with live bait because it is easy just to throw a worm on a hook and bunch it up without realizing how it might look to the fish.
5. Oxygenated Waters Fish in areas with high oxygen levels because trout use oxygen to generate energy and therefore spend most of their time in waters with high amounts of dissolved oxygen. Such areas include the riffle of the river, deep water in lakes or cold water springs. Trout require more oxygen in warmer water, so typically the warmer the water the more likely you will find them in faster currents. Conversely, trout will spend plenty of time in slower moving waters if the water temperature is cold. This is because cold water contains more oxygen than warm water.
6. Vibrations Trout have an amazing ability to feel vibrations and pressure waves both inside and outside of the water. Knowing this can tremendously help your success when trout fishing. Whether you are wading through the water or walking on the bank of a river, you want to move slowly and be light on your feet to avoid being exposed to the fish.
7. Night Fishing Consider night fishing as an option sometimes. This applies especially to slightly warmer waters where the trout might not otherwise feed during the day. The temperature of the water generally decreases with the angle of the sun, thus creating more oxygen in water and a better feeding environment for the trout. This is the same reason that most people say a good time to fish for trout is early in the morning or late in the evening. Keep in mind that the colder the water, the less effective this technique might be.
8. Casting It is very important to cast your line upstream and at an angle. Casting upstream will allow you to drag your line naturally with the current, and this will appear more realistic to the trout. Trout like to face upstream so they can wait for their prey to come to them. By creating an angle between your line and the current, you will minimize the possibility of casting a shadow with your line and thus reduce the risk of scaring the fish.
9. Weather Keep in mind that fish can see you more easily than you might think, so if the skies are overcast or if you are trout fishing right after a storm then you might be more hidden. Fishing on a bright sunny day when you can cast a shadow and the visibility is greater might give the trout an advantage.
10. Casting vs. Trolling This is really a personal preference, but do not underestimate the power of casting in larger bodies of water. The tendency is to troll with a boat in large waters, but casting gives you a lot of flexibility. Sometimes it can be more effective to stop your boat and cast your line strategically in various areas.
