NorCal Kayak Anglers

General => Fish Talk => Topic started by: romanryder on October 14, 2017, 09:12:35 PM

Title: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: romanryder on October 14, 2017, 09:12:35 PM
So I've spent two days trying to catch a stocked rainbow trout... guys around me pulling nice ones out.
My set up is the same!
I end up getting bored and switch for bass and catch them.

I've read to just keep trying cuz trout are picky.

Any tips!?

- Also, hope I'm posting this in the appropriate place-

Thanks.
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: Mojo Jojo on October 14, 2017, 09:46:51 PM
MIGHT help if you gave a little more info on exactly WHAT everyone else including you...be using? Up here stockers hit power bait pretty good, or night crawlers, I prefer to use “Gulp Nymphs” and cast and retrieve or troll behind my kayak. Now I’m talking shallow lakes no downriggers...... but you didn’t give much info except your currently sucking at trout fishing.  :smt006
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: HamachiJohn on October 14, 2017, 10:31:15 PM
Where r u Fishing?
Fishing from kayak? Shore?
Whats your setup?
How r u presenting it?
When r u fishing?

Rapala jointed firetiger J7 or other sizes seem to work for most stocked trout. I am no trout guru, but it works for me


Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: Jason B on October 14, 2017, 10:42:43 PM
Go to fuller lake. I was there today and knocked the crap out of them w fly rod. Perfect lake for a kid as well. Guys standing on dam we’re slaying w kastmasters and power bait. One fish I caught puked pink power bait all over my pram. Some were using night crawlers at least 5 ft below surface. Great Lake and beautiful.
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: FishingAddict on October 15, 2017, 09:48:56 AM
Trolling with Kastmasters is effective.  Picture is from Shadow Cliffs yesterday, from 16 to 19 inches.
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: VK on October 15, 2017, 10:06:58 AM
first 3 rules of trout fishing on the troll
1. Presentation
2. Presentation
3. Presentation

just my opinion, which wont get you a free glass of water
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: FishingAddict on October 15, 2017, 10:09:13 AM
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=75462.0
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: CptSloppywood on October 15, 2017, 12:46:08 PM
Rapala Shad Rap in sliver works great for fat wild fish.
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: romanryder on October 15, 2017, 01:55:12 PM
Ok ok - these are stocked rainbow trout.
I've been fishing a lake from the shore. Used a sliding egg weight with a bead, small treble hook with power bait or worms.
I've also tried kastmasters and small crankbait.

Ive gone late morning to after sun down.
Today I went around 8am. No luck.

I was able to talk to someone local who said it's pretty hard to catch anything good sized out of horsehoe lake. (where I was)

The baitshop said theyve had several ppl say trout aren't Biting right now.

I switched to bass again in rainbow lake and saw THE BIGGEST I have ever seen there. It was right up on the shoreline.

It did not care about me at all and didn't want to even eat the small fish around it.
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: bmb on October 15, 2017, 04:28:28 PM
My guess is if everything else is the same....something is different.


In order,
Line type - those quarry fish can be line shy. I would downsize to 4lb fluorocarbon.

Leader length - this can matter. You want it to be long enough to float above the weeds on the bottom.

Bait type and presentation - those planters can be picky. I would do a power mousetail combo. Make sure you don't use too heavy of a hook and it's not too exposed.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: romanryder on October 15, 2017, 08:26:31 PM
Thank you! This is very helpful.

@bmb
My guess is if everything else is the same....something is different.


In order,
Line type - those quarry fish can be line shy. I would downsize to 4lb fluorocarbon.

Leader length - this can matter. You want it to be long enough to float above the weeds on the bottom.

Bait type and presentation - those planters can be picky. I would do a power mousetail combo. Make sure you don't use too heavy of a hook and it's not too exposed.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk


Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: Ski Pro 3 -- Jerry on October 15, 2017, 09:17:45 PM
I was also gonna suggest the 4lb floro leader.  Still fishing from shore, keep the slack out of your line.  I hang a bobber between the 2nd and 3rd eyelets on the rod.  Then let it sag the slack about 12 inches.  When I fish takes your bait, the bobber will move up as the slack is taken.  When the bobber and slack are taken all up, set the hook and you'll be on! 
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: Dalong Boat on October 16, 2017, 10:13:15 AM
Trolling with Kastmasters is effective.  Picture is from Shadow Cliffs yesterday, from 16 to 19 inches.

I was there on Sunday and caught a few with powerbait from the shore. Water wasn't very cold. Did you catch those on a downrigger?
Title: Re: I can't catch a trout! Help!
Post by: FishingAddict on October 16, 2017, 12:59:06 PM
Trolling with Kastmasters is effective.  Picture is from Shadow Cliffs yesterday, from 16 to 19 inches.

I was there on Sunday and caught a few with powerbait from the shore. Water wasn't very cold. Did you catch those on a downrigger?

All were caught top lining.  Nothing on the DR.