Spinning Gear Is Winning Gear for Summer Trout

Effective spinning techniques for trout start with carefully matching the tackle setup to the fish and the conditions. (Photo by Dr. Jason A. Halfen)

Stream trout are perhaps angling's most perfect finned adversary. Gifted with exceptional eyesight—perfect for their gin-clear habitats—trout are ever wary and watchful for predators on the wing and the foot. Trout possess a powerful sense of smell; one their anadromous cousins use to return to the streams of their birth.

Stream trout are quick to detect (and reject) offerings that are tainted with synthetic materials such as insect repellent or sunscreen. Sporting streamlined bodies strengthened by life in the current, trout make long, powerful runs toward the gnarliest cover and leap acrobatically into the air to throw lip piercings forged from sharp metal.

For trout enthusiasts, opportunities to catch these truly amazing fish across much of the country are plentiful. These range from rainbows and cutthroats patrolling classic freestone fisheries of the mountain West, to behemoth browns prowling the meandering streams of the Midwest's Driftless Region, to beautiful native brookies teeming within Appalachian creeks.

Trout "purists" wielding long rods of bamboo, wispy monofilament tippets, and dainty assemblages of feather and fur might scoff at the notion of spinning tackle being the best method for catching trout. However, for most anglers, it is the best option for most stream trout angling situations. Indeed, chasing trout with a spinning rod in hand can be just as technical a pursuit as any other, and often, quite rewarding in terms of both quantity and quality of trout brought to hand. Many of the advantages of chasing trout with spinning tackle lies within the rods themselves. A dazzling array of spinning rod lengths, powers, and actions are available to support quests ranging from small-stream brook trout to migratory steelhead and everything in-between.

On a narrow, technical river, where abundant obstructions in the form of weeds and trees may abound, select a light-power, fast-action rod less than 6 feet in length. These attributes allow for precise, short-range cast placement and a fun, sporting experience with smaller brookies and browns. When venturing onto a wider, more open river with fewer overhead and streamside entanglements, step up to a longer rod—perhaps up to 7 feet long—with a medium-light power and fast action. These attributes enable you to cast heavier lures longer distances while successfully managing battles with resident browns and rainbows into the 20-inch class.

Spinning rods in the 8- to 9-foot range, with medium power and fast or moderate-fast actions, are appropriate on flowing tributaries that support runs of large, migratory steelhead or browns. These rods support highly effective presentations for big trout—like casting large spinners or drifting spawn sacs—and have the perfect blend of power and forgiveness to handle anadromous trout pushing the 30-inch mark.

If you’re looking for a good place to start your trout rod collection, the Trout Series from St. Croix—based in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin—are handcrafted, trout-specific spinning rods that offer the optimum blend of durability and performance.

Complete your trout spinning rig with the appropriate reel. Shorter rods used to target smaller trout balance well with a 1000-series spinning reel. Step up to a 2500-series reel for medium-length rods and a 3000-series reel when fishing the longest rods for the largest trout. In all cases, select reels with durable, lightweight construction, smooth, high-quality drags and some sort of waterproofing system to enhance reel performance and longevity. Remember, stream trout fishing is often a full-contact, in-the-water experience where gear, quite simply, gets soaked.

Unlike bass or walleye angling—where braided main lines and fluorocarbon leaders have become the norm—most stream trout fishing applications are best served using monofilament. Select 6-pound-test line for your smallest combos, 8-pound-test for medium-duty tackle, and up to 12-pound-test when chasing large, migratory fish.

The stretch of monofilament is an asset when battling strong trout in tight quarters, while its chemical composition provides for near-neutral buoyancy—rather than floating like braid or sinking like fluorocarbon. In situations where slower, natural presentations are offered to highly-pressured or negative fish—like drifting a spawn sac beneath a float to winter steelhead—a two or three-foot section of a light fluorocarbon leader is often appropriate to ensure near-invisibility of the line at the bait.

In many trout rivers and streams across the country, a well-focused selection of classic lures will often provide many seasons of success. Begin with in-line spinners—like those offered by Mepps or Rooster Tail—that provoke strikes from lurking trout by combining flash with vibration.

I like a smaller, slightly heavier spinner in many inland trout waters, as these characteristics allow me to fish spinners fast, while maintaining the lure close to the bottom. Don't be dainty when chasing migratory fish; rather, select a spinner that is well-suited for bass or smaller pike. Remember, trout are apex predators in most of their natural habitats and won't hesitate to attack a lure that seems to be too large to anglers.

Fold in some floating, minnow-profile baits like original floating Rapalas in sizes 7, 9 or even 11 for the largest trout. Carry a selection of split shot weights to help pull the Rapala toward the bottom, where current is reduced, and trophy trout lurk.

Complete your tackle trifecta with some 1/16- and 1/8-ounce jigs. A black or brown marabou, or sparsely tied bucktail jig, expertly mimics many of the prey items that stream trout browse upon, and are excellent choices to fish through long, deep pools.

What else do you need for trout success with spinning tackle? Hopefully a pair of waders that don't leak, a net with a reasonably long handle, and a pair of quality polarized sunglasses. Of course, don't forget a creel when planning to invite a few trout home for dinner.