When you think of trout fishing techniques the use of plastics is probably not the first thing that comes to mind, but to be honest, it would be one of the most deadly techniques available.
Trout have been in abundance these past few years thanks to unseasonably wet conditions along Australia’s Eastern Seaboard. The nearby hills remained cool and the rivers had plenty of flow. It was perfect conditions for trout.
Let’s look at the gear and tactics needed to target trout using plastics, a deadly technique once mastered.
So where to start? A suitable rod in the 6 to 7 foot range is a good option. The action needs to be a fast taper in order to aid in casting lightly weighted lures a reasonable distance. We would prefer an action listed as light or medium light, as this will handle most fishing situations. A shorter rod of 6 foot can be used if the areas fished are tight to fish, but this is more a personal thing.
Reels in the 1000 to 2000 size are plenty big enough and they hold an adequate amount of line in either braid or good quality fluorocarbon. It is best to ensure the reel chosen has a smooth drag to help with short but powerful runs from bigger fish. We like to have the overall outfit weigh in as light as possible as it allows you to cover lots of water and make plenty of casts during the day and also a light well balanced outfit like this is very hard to put down.
If fishing fluorocarbon, it can be fished straight through to the lure, however if braid is used a leader is definitely needed. Line size in the 6lb range is good but quality braid or fluorocarbon is a must, spending a little extra will be worth it in the long run and may save you losing a fish of a lifetime.
As you look at suitable plastics you will soon realise that there are so many on the market. Choices are a personal thing, we are happy to share some of what works for us.
Plastics could be grouped in three categories: paddletail, grubs, and creature baits. They all have their advantages, and trial-and-error can sometimes be the only way to see what works in your particular area. We fish two of the three styles mentioned as one of the baits we fish combines a grub and a creature bait in one, we find these so lethal and have trust in the gear we use. When choosing your plastics, try to stay under three inches in length. We have found this guideline on size to be pretty acceptable to most fish sizes and never overlooked by even the biggest trout. One thing we have tried to mimic is a food regularly eaten by all trout and that is trout fry or baby trout. We believe these are one of the most targeted food sources in our waters, and many trout are super aggressive feeders. This is why we think plastics work so well. Not only do they look like their daily diet, but they are so lifelike in the action, and texture of material will often have fish having several bites before hooking up.
Jighead selection can be daunting but we like to use the lightest weight that still allows for maximum action of the plastic, and this also depends on the depth of water your fishing at the time. Jighead weights in the 1/16 to 1 ⁄ 4 oz would be a normal range but sometimes it pays to have a good selection of different weights to allow you to fine tune according to conditions. One slightly different technique we are trying at present is the use of an orange jighead which may fool trout into thinking it’s an egg, or fingerling with an egg still attached. This method seems to be far exceeding expectations as the results so far have been fantastic. This colour variation is not too different from some of the fly patterns used to mimic similar egg forms.
Hook sizes in the numbers 1 or 2 cover most plastic patterns you would be using and the choice of a quality hook is a must. Spending a little time rigging and test swimming your plastics is very important for best results, and as with all things fishing preparation is the key.
Working the plastics we have found a very, very slow roll with small pauses is the best, and this year’s opening season got to see our results increase at a surprising rate. Areas that plastics shine can be harder fished waters or areas with shallow runs leading into deeper pools as your plastic can roll through skinny water with ease unlike other conventional trout lures which may
foul up, snag or collect weed in their travels. Another thing worth mentioning is you can shorten your plastics a little in order to closely match what the trout are feeding on.
Our success chasing trout increased after spending time watching both farmed, and wild trout. Observing how they feed, and what, and how we can improve our understanding of bite triggers and the way they respond to different artificial offerings. It always pays off to study the fish and be prepared to make changes to your standard approach.
Also, when fishing for trout, even incorporating some techniques similar to fly fishing, can make the results so much better. I am sure every time a trout has dealings with a fisherman he learns something, but I am not sure if that works both ways.
Best fishing times are simply early morning and late afternoon, these being prime feeding times. But sometimes the position of the sun high in the sky can be your friend as it may limit your search area to shaded areas of water where fish will stay until the sun drops and the day is drawing nearer to the end.
Try to cover every piece of water by fanning your casts out. Don’t be afraid to fish on the return if your instincts are telling you a certain spot looks like it’s holding fish that are just slow to respond. We generally work edges of weed or grass bordering the bank, undercuts or structure, or simply the starts and ends of pools where food is easily transported by water flow requiring a fish only to move a small distance to chase their prey or locate food passing by.
As with all forms of trout fishing, care of captured fish needs to be high on the list. Trout will often use a lot of energy in the battle and sometimes require a little extra time to regain their bearings, and energy. We have found gently holding their nose first into the current until they are kicking freely ensures they are set off safely, and are able to fight another day. Also, remember when taking your photos, a small tip that may be useful is to position yourself over your landing net in the water then if you happen to lose your grip on the fish as they are very slippery he or she will land in the water but in the safety of your net allowing you to set back up for your photo.
Throwing plastics for trout only really needs a light basic outfit which can vary in price, but also will then be a crossover with some of the saltwater species. It’s a fantastic way to hone your casting accuracy and may take you into some beautiful country areas in the process. Just remember, planning is the key and enjoy what is on offer in the outdoors. Good luck!
