Top Trout Lures for Spin Casting

Navigating Trout Lures: Finding the Best Picks Amidst a Vast Selection

The abundance of trout lures available, both in-store and online, can be overwhelming, considering the variations in color, size, weight, style, and brands. This article aims to assist you in sorting through the extensive array of trout lures, helping you pinpoint the most effective ones for various situations. For those new to trout fishing, we understand the challenge of identifying the “best trout lure,” as it tends to vary based on personal preferences. Hence, we’ve compiled this list based on years of collective expertise from the Tailored Tackle team, ensuring that you don’t get lost in the flurry of options. Notably, many of these recommended lures are part of our thoughtfully crafted Trout Fishing Kit.

Decoding the Best Trout Lure

This title might suggest a definitive answer, but unfortunately, there isn’t one ultimate trout lure that reigns supreme. It’s essential to understand that relying on a single lure to be effective in all situations is unrealistic. A lure that works wonders one day may go unnoticed the next; trout behavior is dynamic and influenced by various factors, particularly weather and water conditions. Therefore, the best trout lure changes daily based on these variables. It’s crucial to diversify your lure collection and be prepared with a variety of options, ensuring you have the right lure when the moment is opportune.

Top-Performing Trout Lures

As mentioned earlier, there’s no singular top trout lure, but there will be one for the day you’re fishing. That’s why it’s prudent to have a versatile selection of key trout lures, each of which has proven to be effective at some point for anglers. In this discussion, we’ll emphasize the most impactful lure characteristics: style, size, and color. We won’t delve into brand differences extensively, as variations in style, color, and size tend to outweigh brand distinctions. Occasionally, a particular brand might excel in patenting a specific lure type, which is notable. However, the differences between the same lures of different brands usually require personal preference and experimentation to determine what suits you best.

#1. Inline Spinners

Size Range: 1/32oz–1/4oz.

Color Variations: Blue, brass, chartreuse, white, silver, gold, pink, orange, red, and various combinations.

Spinners: Versatile Lures for Trout Fishing Adventures

Spinners are highly effective lures for covering extensive water areas while seeking out trout. They have stood the test of time and consistently proven their effectiveness as top-notch trout lures. To utilize them optimally, ensure a swift cast and reel, allowing the blades to spin. They are the ideal choice when mobility and thorough coverage of large water expanses are your objectives. Available in a wide array of colors, styles, and sizes, spinners offer versatility in tailoring your approach.

For efficient use, opt for inline spinners falling within the 1/32oz to 1/4oz range. Consider smaller sizes for smaller streams or targeting smaller trout species like brook trout. Conversely, choose larger sizes when dealing with deeper water or aiming for longer casting distances. Timeless options include spinners plated entirely in silver or gold, though a spinner boasting a blend of vibrant hues like blue, pink, orange, and red can be particularly effective under specific conditions.

Spinners do not directly mimic natural bait; therefore, employing bright colors with a touch of flash can significantly enhance their appeal. For an added allure, select spinners featuring beads or incorporating vibration technology, further elevating their attraction and effectiveness.

#2. Crankbaits

Dimensions: 1.5” – 4”.

Designs: Crawdad, hopper, silver, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, sculpin, chub, perch. Emulate the local prey.

A primary food source for trout, particularly larger ones like brown and rainbow trout, consists of small fish. Essentially, crankbaits are ideal for imitating these fish. This can include smaller native sculpin, fish fry, or even their own species as fingerlings. Large trout predominantly feed on fish because a whole fish tends to be the most substantial and enticing option. To replicate these baitfish, opt for sizes ranging from 1.5” to 4”. Generally, this size range accommodates the most effective lures. When it comes to colors, natural hues and patterns are typically foolproof choices. Patterns resembling rainbow, brook, and brown trout work well, along with patterns imitating sculpin, chub, and perch, depending on your specific fishing location. It’s essential to ascertain the local forage and tailor your choice accordingly. In cases where water conditions are murky or overcast, select contrasting bright and dark colors. Solid gold remains a classic choice for such conditions, aiding in making the lures more prominent and attracting greater attention.

You may observe that crankbaits can mimic other components of a trout’s diet, such as crustaceans and insects. Match your lure selection to the contents found in the stomach of the first trout you catch.

#3. Jigs

Size Range: 1/32oz–1/16oz.

Variety: Bare, Marabou.

Soft Plastic: 1”–2” curl tail grub, 3”–4” small trout worm.

Jigs are arguably among the most effective fishing lures due to their consistent ability to catch various fish species, including trout and trout-specific lures. They possess remarkable versatility and prove effective on any given day out on the water. However, are they always the absolute best choice? Well, not necessarily, but they truly shine in mimicking virtually everything that fish typically consume.

Attach a curl tail grub and reel it in swiftly to replicate a fish’s movement, or affix a plastic worm and gently bounce it off the bottom to imitate insects. When it comes to weight and size, opting for a jig head ranging from 1/32oz to 1/16oz will generally serve you well. To enhance versatility, include a selection of jigs—some with bare hooks and others adorned with marabou feathers. Those with marabou feathers work exceptionally well in stillwater situations, particularly in lakes and ponds where the subtlest movements cause the marabou to flutter and appear lifelike. On the other hand, bare jigs provide you the freedom to use your preferred soft plastics or live bait. For soft plastics, the 1”–2” curl tail grubs and 3”–4” small trout worms undoubtedly qualify as some of the best trout lures on certain days.

#4. Spoons

Size Range: 1/16oz–1/4oz.

Color Variations: Silver, gold, or combinations featuring bright colors.

Spoons excel in mimicking baitfish, offering a significant advantage with their unpredictable movements and exceptional casting capabilities. They are highly favored for trolling in lakes and reservoirs, making them a top choice when you need to cast a considerable distance and reach greater depths. A classic size and color for a silver casting spoon typically hover around 3/16oz. Keeping it uncomplicated, sticking to either silver or gold as the main color is ideal. Introducing a vibrant color for contrast works remarkably well, particularly in deeper waters and under overcast skies. For smaller streams and rivers, opt for slender spoons, typically around 1/16oz. In contrast, transition to broader casting spoons for larger and deeper water bodies. If the fish are residing in the depths or seem to be positioned a substantial cast away from the shore, your spoon might just become the standout trout lure of the day.