The Best Bait To Use For Rainbow Trout

When it comes to fishing for trout one trout species stands out above all others, at least as far a popularity is concerned, and that species of trout is the rainbow trout. This trout, which boasts that familiar large red stripe running along the length of it's body, is the most popular species of trout for one simple reason. It is the most readily available species that is found in most areas. These beautiful fish are known as being very opportunistic feeders that can be caught on a variety of baits and/or lures, but a question that is often asked is, "what is the best bait to use for rainbow trout?"

In this article I will draw upon my twenty plus years of experience fishing for rainbow trout to try to answer the question posed in the title of this article. I'm going to do this by breaking the question into the three main types of bait that can be used when fishing for rainbow trout; Artificial, live, and synthetic baits. Then, depending on your personal favorite "style of fishing", you can determine which of the bait choices is the best bait to use for rainbow trout.

1. Artificial Baits - There are many types of artificial baits that are effective when fishing for "rainbows" including: small in-line spinners, small spoons or crank baits, trout jigs (either twister tail or marabou) and the very popular and well known artificial fly. "Fly fishing" is the most effective way to fish with artificial flies and is a technique that many anglers use when fishing for our friends called "rainbows". The bottom line is that no matter where you may be fishing for "rainbows", artificial baits could easily be considered the best type of bait to use.
2. Live Baits - Live baits are an excellent bait choice when it comes to fishing for rainbow trout, but can be difficult to use in some cases. Crayfish for example are an excellent bait to use when fishing for large rainbow trout, but can be difficult to find and carry on the water with you while you are fishing, so they are rarely used. Live worms on the other hand are very easy to find and are easily carried on the water with you while you are fishing with the help of a bait bag, making live worms a great bait to use when fishing for rainbow trout. Other effective live bait choices include crickets, minnows, grass hoppers, grubs, and even small frogs (if you can find them?)
3. Synthetic Baits - Synthetic baits consist of baits that have been manufactured by humans with trout attracting scents in them for the purpose of attracting and catching trout. Basically synthetic baits look and smell so god to the trout that you are attempting to catch that the trout eats them and viola you have a trout hooked. While there is no doubt that synthetic baits are an effective bait choice when it comes to fishing for rainbow trout, it is most effective on trout that have been recently "stocked" or otherwise placed into a waterway.

So, after listing the best three types if bait to use when fishing for these beautiful fish, is there one that stands out above all the others? To me, the best bait that can be used when fishing for rainbow trout is a live worm. To one of my fishing buddies, the best bait that can be used is a stone fly imitation. To someone else, it's probably something else, so at the end of the day the best bait to use for rainbow trout is the one that you have found to be the best for yourself through trial and error. The one best bait simply doesn't exist.