Are trout leader shy ?

Blind Bobber · 05-19-2009, 08:38 PM

Last Saturday I heard someone say stocker trout are leader shy. Most wedding ring type lures are on 10 pound test so I am confused. Anyone have thoughts on this? As I tackle up for this coming weekend fishin with my kids I am lookin for a tacticle advantage. Thanks
BLIND BOBBER

stupenny5 · 05-20-2009, 06:42 AM

Way to go let the secret out. you are now on the list. lol

FlieFreak · 05-20-2009, 07:02 AM

I retie them

bwild · 05-20-2009, 07:32 AM

Depends on water clarity, type of trout you're going after, size of trout you're going after, etc.

If you're going for just your typical planters that range from 8 to 14", you should be fine with 4 to 6 lb test (IMHO).

steelheadstlkr · 05-20-2009, 10:00 AM

We were messing around at one lake last year and my brother in law tied on 1 pound test to try for the trout because that is what he would use back east on some of the pressured creeks and rivers. Needless to say he was hooking trout on every cast while I would need five or six casts to hook one? We also used floats and micro jigs and he was getting hit almost every five seconds while I had to wait a few minutes to get a bite! He didn't land a high percentage of them so we switched to 2 pound

Also, steelhead can be the same way in highly pressured water. Last winter I tied on 2 pound in a hole that gets pounded all week long and it wasn't long before I had a fish on while no one else could get them to bite! After a few runs he shook his head and that was all she wrote LOL. Also, if you are trolling for rainbows I don't think it matters as much. Good luck out there.

Roperguy · 05-20-2009, 10:33 AM

I re-tie them to put a better hook on the end, but I tie with 10# floro.
hard to say if they are leader shy when trolling, but I like to think so.
M

Blind Bobber · 05-20-2009, 08:10 PM

I am curious based on what you all have posted and will do some experimenting this weekend and report back next week.

See ya out there
BLIND BOBBER

BigSteelyHead123 · 05-20-2009, 08:19 PM

For most trout I always use 4lb. P-Line CFX... I get wayy more bites with that stuff than with 4lb. ultra green.
Trolling is different I think. You can up the poundage on the line.

McSteelie · 05-21-2009, 11:31 AM

For many years I used 2# test leader for trout. If you go light on the leader, remember to take the time to keep your drag clean and lubricated and loosen it up appropriatly. Now adays I tend to use 4# test line and leader and seem to be able to catch plenty of fish.

weirdbeard · 05-21-2009, 04:12 PM

Last Saturday I caught a half a dozen 14"to 16" trout on 30lb ultra green and 5/0 Owner hook (Springer fishing).

cheeseburger · 05-22-2009, 09:10 AM

I know that it will make a very big difference when still fishing. I used to think that hatchery trout were stupid. But one day at Harriet I was fishing with a friend, I was using #4lb test, and he was using the heavy line they use on snelled hooks. We were using the same bait, same bobber set up at the same depth. I was getting a fish on every cast, and he was only getting a bite once in a while. That day opened my eyes big time. Now I will usually never use over #4lb test, and maybe #6lb when the water is off color. You would never think it makes a difference but it does. Also when bait fishing for trout, having your bait just on the end of the hook with a lot of the hook showing will greatly reduce your bite rate, be sure to cover most of the hook, and your catch rate will go way up. If using powerbait, make sure to mold the bait over the hook and just let the tip of the hook a little bit exposed. Hope this helps.

Bigkntry · 05-22-2009, 09:42 AM

My two cents....
Line is just one important part of the ingredient as is lure selection, presentation, speed, depth and hook size. I think you are on the right track but a simple answer is I agree with line selction being a very important part of the overall fish catching puzzle.

Good luck

Queeg · 05-22-2009, 01:06 PM

I think they're just extremely cautious, generally.

primevci · 05-22-2009, 03:15 PM

i been trolling allot with jsut a black fly at my local lake and me and the kid limit out i just put a size 6 woolly bugger on no weights just a small barrel swivel and the fly and let it out about 50 feet behind the boat and have great fun all day might want to pick some up for a backup plan

SailCat · 05-26-2009, 08:58 AM

I agree that light leader will produce more bites when still fishing for trout.

This discussion reminded me of a conversation I had with pro guide Doug Wilhite with regard to leader size and steelhead. He said that while light leader will be more productive while bait fishing, when throwing spinners you could use rope.

5-Cents · 05-26-2009, 09:06 AM

It depends what you are fishing for and when... if you are fishing for hatchery plants then I think you can go with heavier leader. If you are going for fish that are more "educated" you need to be worried about your leader. Lures and flies will look more natural fished with a lighter leader too... most of the time I use a flourocarbon leader for trout fishing. You can get away with a heavier leader this way.

newbergfishjunkie · 05-26-2009, 09:49 AM

I've fished light leader when fishing with power bait and recently I've had a lot of frayed leaders due to the sharp stubby teeth on the trout we caught. I've lost a few very nice fish because of this. Now I'm going with a 4 lb and I'm checking my leader on every cast. Their teeth are small but they will fray the leader.

5-Cents · 05-26-2009, 09:52 AM

Try a flourocarbon leader - it is much more abrasion resistant than regular mono and nearly invisibile in the water... if you are using 4lb mono leader you can get away with a 6-7lb flourocarbon leader. If you want the premo leader material look at a fly shop. I have had some spools of flouro leader that I have had for 10 years and it still is as good as the day I purchased it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbergfishjunkie

I've fished light leader when fishing with power bait and recently I've had a lot of frayed leaders due to the sharp stubby teeth on the trout we caught. I've lost a few very nice fish because of this. Now I'm going with a 4 lb and I'm checking my leader on every cast. Their teeth are small but they will fray the leader.