Artificial lures, called jigs, are a popular choice among trout anglers. These little lures are made of a small hook with a lead weight affixed to the hook shank, just below the eye. The weight is usually brightly painted and often has eye spots. Most jigs for trout fishing also have a trailing fringe made of thread, hair, feathers or tinsel, which moves in the water, providing action and flash that attracts trout.
Fishing Gear
An ultralight spinning rod and reel combo with plenty of tip action makes a good choice for trout jig fishing. Load your reel with between 150 and 200 yards of 2 to 4 lb. test fishing line, depending on the species of trout you are targeting. Use a Palomar or improved clinch knot to attach the jig directly to your main fishing line. The weight of this gear makes casting and working these light lures easier.
Jig Size
Selects a jig size that best suits the type of trout you want to catch. Jigs ranging from smaller 1/100 oz. weights on small No. 10 hooks, up to 1/32 oz. weights on a larger No. 6 hooks are commonly available. Use the lighter weights for smaller species, such as brook trout or dolly vardens, and the larger ones for species that run bigger, including steelhead or brown trout.
Color Selection
According to Bass Pro Shops, brightly colored jigs work well for catching trout. It also helps to adjust the colors of the jigs you're using to match certain conditions when fishing. For instance, fluorescent jigs are good for attracting the attention of trout when visibility within the water is low. White jigs work well when bait fish, such as minnows, are abundant. Jigs colored orange or red tend to generate more strikes during spawning season, when fish eggs of the same colors are available as food for trout.
Current Fishing Methods
There are two primary methods for working jigs in moving water within streams or rivers when fishing for trout. The first involves casting downstream. Cast to the far side of the stream, then allow the current to draw the lure across the stream in front of waiting trout. In the other technique, cast upstream and allow the current to carry the jig along the bottom. Stop the lure in areas where trout are holding and twitch your rod tip to entice trout to strike.
Still Fishing Methods
When fishing in the still waters of lakes or reservoirs, cast heavier jigs if trout are running deep. Work the jig along the bottom, bouncing it across rocks, gravel beds and other structure. If trout are feeding mid-range within the water column, use a bobber to suspend the jig. Put your line occasionally, to give the jig some action. When trout are striking at insects on the surface, cast lighter jigs can use a faster retrieve to keep them high in the water.
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