Rainbow Trout

[ondry]

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a brightly colored fish of the salmon family native to freshwater tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in North America. This species prefers cool, clear streams and lakes with oxygenated water in the depths. Adult freshwater Rainbow Trout average between 2 and 6 kg (4-13 lbs) and can reach up to 50-90 cm (20-35 in) in length. Adult Rainbows are distinguished by a broad reddish stripe along their body, from gills to the tail. Rainbow trout are predators with a varied diet and will eat nearly anything they can capture.

Preferred baits:

Flies

MayFlies

Grasshoppers

Natural Eggs

Artificial Salmon Eggs

Preferred lures:

Narrow Spoons

Spinners

Nano Spinners

Shads

Grubs

[Stovy50]

Gotta get me some rainbow trout. Miss catching them out in the greater Yellowstone MT area. So much fun.  

[Mag Bay Lodge]

Can you share some information about the perfect hook size to catch these fish?

[Del_Udy]

#1/0 to #3/0 works fine.

[KatyK]

I must also try .

[Indyhorselover]

I kept getting bite after bite but rarely would they take the hook! Tried #2/0 and #3/0 and even #1/0! Tried minnows, flies, and mayflies. Any suggestions?

[mitderplatte]

14 hours ago, Indyhorselover said:

I kept getting bite after bite but rarely would they take the hook! Tried #2/0 and #3/0 and even #1/0! Tried minnows, flies, and mayflies. Any suggestions?

Experiment a little with the hook size. If they don't take the bait, it usually means that your hook is too big.

If you use smaller bait like flies, mayflies, spawn sack etc., you'll also attract the smaller fish; and they won't go for the #1/0 - #3/0 hooks. Try a #1 or #2 - maybe even a #4. Once you found a hook size that they'll take, you'll know what fish are actually nibbling on your bait - and can adapt from there.

Maybe the spot / depth / time of day wasn't right.

Assuming you're at the right spot & depth and just want to go for the big ones: try using bigger bait, like shiners or large minnows with your #1/0 - #2/0 hook. The smaller ones shouldn't go for the big bait as much, and the bigger ones should take the hook just fine.

Hope this helps. Tight lines!