Best Live Bait for Trout

To be continuously successful in your fishing adventures, live bait is typically the go-to choice. Though there are many different types of trout, pretty much all of them prefer live bait fishing rather than artificial bait.

There are many different options on the market for bait, and you can also catch the bait yourself. While trout will eat most of the bait you throw out to them, some live bait is clearly better than others. 

When live bait is available and also permitted for trout fishing, anglers find it an incredibly effective way to catch trout. There are many to choose from, but here are a few options that we have had lunch with.

• Maggots: While they are not the most glamorous, they are easy to find and they work wonders for trout fishing.  They can be easily stored in a bait puck and kept in the angler’s pocket.
• Waxworms: They are the larvae of wax moths, and though they are a bit harder to work with, they can make ice fishing and fly fishing much easier with a fly rod. 
• Minnows/Shad: Most minnows along with streams, spinners, spoons, and crankbaits work well as bait for a trout because they love feeding on any type of small fish.
• Earthworms: From redworms to nightcrawlers, when fishing for trout worm dunking as always done the trick for most.
• Salmon Eggs: Great for catching rainbow trout!

When to use natural bait?

There is no right or wrong bait to use, it is all about preference and intentions. If you are looking to catch a good number of fish you might opt for worms or even PowerBait.  Natural baits are important to use when fishing for trout during high or muddy water. Seeing as the trout cannot see flies or lures, they are more likely to take the bait just by the odor of the natural bait.  

If you are fishing in a spot where the trout always see to bite, it is important to use fresh, live bait. They will inspect any potential food items closely because they are used to the smell and texture. They can pick out a fishing lures and bobbers and they are cautious in deep pools.  Remember to check your states specific guidelines to see what is allowed and what is not. Some areas ban live bait fishing. Checking fishing tactics often is advised to avoid any infractions.

Anglers love catching trout because you can fish with just about anything to catch them. Some other options for the best baits are:

• Crayfish
• Aquatic Nymphs and Larvae
• Grasshoppers
• Sweet corn 
• Shiners
• Smelt

While these may not be the most sought after, they get the job done. Trout bait can be just about anything for them to bite the fishing line. You can find many of these baits at the local bait shop, or you can catch the fishing bait yourself. You can catch small or big trout with almost anything and anywhere.  Seeing as there is freshwater trout and saltwater trout it is simple to track them down. 

The best way to keep the bait is alive and fresh in a bait and tackle box. You can also fit some of them in a small container. Keeping the fish alive gives off the idea that its good bait, whether it’s in shallow water or deep water. 

Next time you go trout fishing try out fishing with live bait and tell us your favorite.