First, you have to understand that for most trout, all that they ever really eat are bugs off of the surface, and underwater bugs that lay larva. These fish just like small meals, so you can’t approach them with a big 6″ jerkbait like they are a largemouth bass, you are going to have to downsize your trout fishing bait to match the hatch as they say. The best bait for trout by far is going to be something that can fit between your fingers.

In my personal opinion, there is one bait that has to be the all time best trout bait, the good old earth worm. Tying one of these worms on to a set of smaller pre-rigged hooks and letting it float downstream will quickly put it in front of a trouts face. Once this happens you can guarantee that they are going to take the bait. Trout love live worms and it is actually one of their natural forage items, so they will readily accept them. You must make sure your hooks blend in with the color of the water though to keep from throwing them off.

There are a few other trout baits that I have used, that aren’t nearly as messy as worms, and also keep better in the refrigerator if you have a bad day out on the water. Berkley released a new Power Bait formula that comes in a small glass jar. The stuff is a chartreuse green, and carries a lot of menhadden, shad, and other types of forage fish oils, as well as other secret recipes that Berkley isn’t letting go of. This bait for trout has gotten me a lot more fish than even live worms do, because you can leave it soak without having little pick fish tear it apart. If you haven’t already done it yet, you really need to try out Berkley’s new trout bait.