Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 22
f
Slosttics
Pa
Trout
for
by John Allen
photos by the author
Every angler has their own “secret” bait. In the last few
years, I have come to realize that for many the “secret” is
out. Anglers are discovering just how productive soft plastic
baits can be for trout. They have been a key lure for bass
and panfish anglers over the years, why not trout? Many
lure manufacturers have identified this increasing trend
and are now producing soft plastics specifically for trout.
When it comes to fishing with soft plastic baits for trout,
anglers need to be able to identify which baits to use and
how to use them.
Baits
There are many different types of soft plastic baits
hitting the market. It can be tough to determine which
ones to try. I select my baits based on the type of action
they will produce and how close they are to something
that naturally occurs in or around a trout stream. Not
to say that imitations and other baits will not work,
but I feel that something with a lot of movement that
closely mimics something that a trout has seen before
will produce much better results. I have found minnow,
grub and worm imitations to be the most productive
baits. When you are picking out baits, also look at the
ones designed for panfish. A lot of these baits can be as
productive as the trout-specific baits.
22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • March/April 2013
Soft plastic baits can provide the type of action that
hard plastic, metal or live baits cannot provide. I would
compare the action to a streamer fly with a marabou
tail. You are in control to dictate how and when the bait
moves through the water. As you spark the trout’s interest,
you can make it move at just the right time to create an
instinctive strike.
Tackle
When rigging soft plastic baits, you have to account
for the depth and speed of the stream you are fishing and
the size of the bait. Jig heads between 1/16- and 1/64-ounce
are perfect for trout-sized soft plastic baits. However, you
can also get a completely different action from the bait
with a splitshot rig. There is also the option of a weightless
rig, but I would only recommend this if the bait can sink
naturally. Otherwise, you will struggle to even be able to
cast the bait. Switching up the rig as the day goes on allows
me to go after those tougher bites.
When selecting a rod and line, go light on both fronts
in order to get maximum casting distance. I use an ultralight 6-foot rod with 4-pound-test line. The longer the
better, but make sure that the rod is light enough to cast
the 1/64-ounce baits.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013
Straight Talk
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 2012 Annual Report Summary
Contents
Penns Creek Early
Tying the Baetis Thorax Dun
Your Fishing Field Guide
Central Pennsylvania Limestone Streams
Southeast Best Family Trout Waters
2013 Adult Trout Stocking Program Changes
Laurel Highlands Trout Trail
Soft Plastics for Trout
Notes from the Stream
Early Trout on Lake Wallenpaupack
More for Less: Rigging a Small Economical Boat for All-Around Fishing
Ice-Out Smallmouth Bass of Presque Isle Bay
Call to Action: Restore the Susquehanna River
Thinking on Crappie Terms
Pymatuning Reservoir Walleye Comeback
Choosing and Installing a Bow Mount Trolling Motor
The Wooden Canoe is Alive and Well
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 2012 Photography Contest
Spring PLAY Newsletter
Eastern Sand Darter
Evaluation of Pennsylvania Catfish Spawning Boxes
Reflecting on the Water
Currents
Angler’s Notebook
Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - CT1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - CT2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Straight Talk
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 2012 Annual Report Summary
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Penns Creek Early
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Tying the Baetis Thorax Dun
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Your Fishing Field Guide
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Central Pennsylvania Limestone Streams
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Southeast Best Family Trout Waters
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 2013 Adult Trout Stocking Program Changes
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Laurel Highlands Trout Trail
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Soft Plastics for Trout
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Notes from the Stream
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Early Trout on Lake Wallenpaupack
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - More for Less: Rigging a Small Economical Boat for All-Around Fishing
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Ice-Out Smallmouth Bass of Presque Isle Bay
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 31
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Call to Action: Restore the Susquehanna River
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Thinking on Crappie Terms
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Pymatuning Reservoir Walleye Comeback
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Choosing and Installing a Bow Mount Trolling Motor
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - The Wooden Canoe is Alive and Well
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 2012 Photography Contest
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Spring PLAY Newsletter
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Eastern Sand Darter
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Evaluation of Pennsylvania Catfish Spawning Boxes
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Reflecting on the Water
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Currents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Fishin’ from the Kitchen
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2013 - Cover4
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