Spinning for trout

[HappyHunter]

I'm off spinning for trout at the end of the month and would appreciate some advice. I'm a keen angler when I get the opportunity but a complete novice in terms of spinning. I'll be fishing from a boat on a large reservoir.

I've got a 7' 10-30g spin rod which I hope isn't too heavy but there are likely some pike present.

I also have a small spinning reel and am wondering as to whether braid or mono is best? I have plenty of both lying around bit am uncertain about the trade off between stretch and visibility.

Should I go the braid route is a leader required? If so fluorocarbon or wire trace as there are pike present?

Spinner wise I've amassed a small collection over the years though have really never used them in anger. Mostly abu / mepps type spinners (probably around 10 gram mark) and some small plugs. Should be ok for a start?

Any advice appreciated.

HappyHunter

 

[Whitebeard]

I'm off spinning for trout at the end of the month and would appreciate some advice. I'm a keen angler when I get the opportunity but a complete novice in terms of spinning. I'll be fishing from a boat on a large reservoir.

I've got a 7' 10-30g spin rod which I hope isn't too heavy but there are likely some pike present.

I also have a small spinning reel and am wondering as to whether braid or mono is best? I have plenty of both lying around bit am uncertain about the trade off between stretch and visibility.

Should I go the braid route is a leader required? If so fluorocarbon or wire trace as there are pike present?

Spinner wise I've amassed a small collection over the years though have really never used them in anger. Mostly abu / mepps type spinners (probably around 10 gram mark) and some small plugs. Should be ok for a start?

Any advice appreciated.

HappyHunter

I have caught plenty of trout while lure fishing for Pike on the big anglian water authority trout reservoir pike days, they have eyes bigger then their tummys and will hit 6" 4oz jerkbaits, attached to 80lb braid and a heavy baitcasting set up. For targetting trout you rod is perfect, load up your reel with 30lb braid and a 20lb wire trace, the zero stretch of the braid lets you feel every tap and knock back through the rod, Trout like lots flash and vibration so the bigger mepps type spinners you have will be ideal on a fast retrieve where the trout are near the surface, tight wiggle diving crankbaits (plugs) are also effective in deeper water but if you go to deep expect more perch and pike to hit your lures, these are not hard and fast rules so like all things trial and error will prevail

Ian.

 

[Shootgun]

Me and my mate caught those in your neck of the woods, on Hanningfield reservoir.
We used a Mepps Aglia and Mepps Cyclop spinners with no braided line.

 

[Klenchblaize]

View attachment 100577

Me and my mate caught those in your neck of the woods, on Hanningfield reservoir.
We used a Mepps Aglia and Mepps Cyclop spinners with no braided line.

Forgive me for saying it but they are hellishly ugly trout! Or is that the camera angle?

Either way I've no doubt they tasted just fine.

K

 

[Shootgun]

Forgive me for saying it but they are hellishly ugly trout! Or is that the camera angle?

Either way I've no doubt they tasted just fine.

K

i don’t know, a fish is a fish lol
is this one better?

 

[HappyHunter]

I have caught plenty of trout while lure fishing for Pike on the big anglian water authority trout reservoir pike days, they have eyes bigger then their tummys and will hit 6" 4oz jerkbaits, attached to 80lb braid and a heavy baitcasting set up. For targetting trout you rod is perfect, load up your reel with 30lb braid and a 20lb wire trace, the zero stretch of the braid lets you feel every tap and knock back through the rod, Trout like lots flash and vibration so the bigger mepps type spinners you have will be ideal on a fast retrieve where the trout are near the surface, tight wiggle diving crankbaits (plugs) are also effective in deeper water but if you go to deep expect more perch and pike to hit your lures, these are not hard and fast rules so like all things trial and error will prevail

Ian.

Thanks Ian. Have some 30lb spyder wire kicking about so will try that with a trace. Have picked up some fine wolfram ones as I was worried about visibility.

Will post an an update when finished.

HH

 

[HappyHunter]

View attachment 100577

Me and my mate caught those in your neck of the woods, on Hanningfield reservoir.
We used a Mepps Aglia and Mepps Cyclop spinners with no braided line.

Thanks Shootgun. It's Hanningfield I'm fishing. I'd be happy with just a couple of those 'ugly' ones.

HH

 

[danban]

My dad and his friend fish there now and again on non fly days. Have had some good results.
Good luck.
Regards Dan

 

[User00035]

Caught some cracking browns on the river Moriston on a trip to Scotland this year. Mostly shallowish water on the lea of gravel bars. Large mepps were definitely the most successful, better than spoon or plugs and larger mepps attracted larger fish and discouraged the small ones. They were extremely lively though with a tendency to swim towards the rod and leap which made keeping the line taut difficult.

 

[Klenchblaize]

i don’t know, a fish is a fish lol
is this one better?
View attachment 100581

You sure that aint a carp that's gone mad with the Max Factor lippy?!

K

 

[Whitebeard]

Thanks Ian. Have some 30lb spyder wire kicking about so will try that with a trace. Have picked up some fine wolfram ones as I was worried about visibility.

Will post an an update when finished.

HH

When the fish want your bait you could be clipped on with a Karabiner and be using towing cable and it would not put them off, the only reason i am not recommending going for that weight of line and trace is in case you hook up a decent pike.

Ian.