A Newbie's Guide to Trout Fishing

I started fishing not too long ago and this forum has been immensely helpful in this pursuit. I know that many of you are much more knowledgeable but I thought I'd contribute back to the community with some tips and a (very brief) guide that I wish that I had when I first started out!

Please let me know if any of this information is inaccurate.

Equipment
When I first started fishing, I assumed that everything was singular. I grabbed the strongest rod possible, with 20lb mono line, and tossed out a hi/lo rig into a lake. Needless to say, I only caught Rainbow Trout the entirety of last fall. It's important to remember that each fish species is different and you'll generally need different gear for each species you target.

Rainbow trout are notoriously shy, so it's best to use light gear. They also have good eyesight and will be wary of a line that is too visible.

What you'll need:
- ultralight or light rod in your preferred size
- 6-8lb test fishing line
- 1/2 oz or lighter weight

You can use a lighter line or different weights, depending on your skill level, water current, or personal preference.

Bait and Lures
You can use everything from nightcrawlers to marshmallows for bait. But the most popular bait that I've seen is Powerbait eggs, mice tails, and dough. In my experience, the garlic-scented ones work best.

Using a lure can be a fun experience that can keep you busy while waiting for a fish to bite. I usually have one rod baited with Powerbait off to the side while I'm casting out with a spinner. The most popular lures I've seen are Kastmasters and Panther Martin spinners in 1/8 and 1/4 oz sizes. When using them, you'll want to keep your rod aimed down towards the water so that they're not dredging the bottom.

Here's a thread on Rainbow Trout Lures
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=75462.0

The Setup
Rainbow trout generally feed a few feet off of the bottom but have been known to also swim towards the surface. You want to position your bait a few feet off the bottom or top. There are numerous ways to accomplish this but below is one of the simplest way to do so. You can also hang a bobber with a snap swivel to the line on your rod between the guides line to let you know when you have a bite. If the bobber is all the way up, you'll know you have a bite! Be sure to remove it before reeling in.