Trout fishing tips:

One of the best ways to catch trout is to use bait rigs that are very specific. These rigs will catch fish from 8 inches to 6 pounds. I know because I do it all the time. Best if used for trout, they will catch other types of fish as well. Start out by using 4 to 8 pound test main line of good quality. Then using 4 pound test fluorocarbon leader (I recommend buying the 150 yard filler spool that is sold to go on the reel, but only use it for leaders. That way you will have real tough, invisible leaders for a long time.)

A slip sinker rig is very important to use because the fish won't feel the weight of the sinker when it picks up the bait. This also allows you to feel the fish, or see your line or rod tip move, as soon as it bites. The slip rig is made as follows: Slide the eye of a number 12 or 14 snap swivel onto your main line. Follow that by sliding a small bead (2 to 3 millimeter) onto the line. Next tie the eye of a number 10 or 12 or 14 barrel swivel onto the end of the main line. Use an improved clinch knot. To the other eye of the same barrel swivel is tied the leader and the hook, again using improved clinch knots (see fishing knots). (If you want a bait holder loop for eggs, just feed the leader back through the hook eye on the backside of the hook to form a loop that is on the opposite side from the point). I recommend a size 16 or 18 treble hook if you are going to use cheese or power bait. Use a size 10 or 8 single hook if you are going to use worms.

Decide how long you want your leader in advance, it needs to be long enough to allow the bait to float above the weeds. Usually 18 to 24 inches will work. Your rig is ready for bait. Here I strongly advise using Berkley Power Bait in the rainbow color on the treble hooks. Make sure to get a little of all three colors on each bait if you can. Cover the hook and check that it floats.

Only power bait floats, therefore you need to use something to float anything else. For Velveeta cheese or a worm use a styrofoam bait floater directly on a hook point. Or you can use a half of a mini-marshmallow that you buy at the super market. Put the half mini in the bait loop. Use a half of a night crawler with the worm threader and cover the entire hook. Cast it out and wait for the bite. Small trout grab this bait and start a tap, tap, tapping on the line. Big trout eat this bait without a whole lot of movement, so watch for the line to move. It might happen real soon, so be ready . Don't set the hook too hard, remember it's a small hook. And make sure your drag is set light.