Gear for trout fishing.

[jmike314]

Going trout fishing next weekend and wanted some input.

Using a guide service so bait/lures aren't needed. Not an avid fisherman but been going on this trip for the last few years and have decided to stop borrowing other people's gear.
Looking for some advice on rod/reel spinning combo.
White river - northern Arkansas - never seen any fish much bigger than a few pounds.

 

[SgtMojo67]

Salmon eggs, swivels, creel, eagle claw small fish hooks, small weights.......When I was in California, I would attach the swivel (makes it easier to attach the pre-looped eagle claw hook/string), I added a weight about 6 inches up from the swivel. Then I would place a bobber about 2 feet up from the swivel. I placed about 3 salmon eggs on the hook and would cast up stream and just let it float down. Worked beautifully.....I did not have the time to learn how to use a fly reel so I used a regular spin cast. Get ready for some fun, because trout fight better than ANY bass I've ever caught......I also used panther martin spinners.....They work great and you can attach them to the swivel. The swivel IMO is awesome...allow you easy changing from spinner lures to hooks.

Medium action spin cast reel/rod and I would say 6 lb. test clear fishing line......My opinion, others may say different.

 

[TwoForFlinching]

Don't skimp on a rod/reel. Cheap is a great deal, but I've sold many that end up back in my shop broken/tips missing/broken seats. Don't necessarily splurge if it's not something you're going to enjoy for life, but something in the middle of the pack should work fine. Go by brand scale, not price scale. ie, the most expensive of one brand may not be as much as the cheapest of a different brand. I'm partial to Pflueger, but I'd have zero problems trusting BassPro/Jonnie Morris/Red Head gear. Just don't invest in the low scale of each brand. Quality in a lasting item is priceless

 

[OKfella]

I have fished the White, and also Taneycomo, with guides.

When you are out with a guide, they will provide all of the terminal tackle and bait, so yeah, you really just need a decent rod and reel. Go fart around Basspro one day on your lunch, and look for something that fits you. Don't get a monster rig for trout, a light rod is the way. A better reel is worth the initial money, in my experience, as Twoforflinching discusses.

Have a great fishing trip, fella!

 

[kd5rjz]

If you're using a guide and a spinning reel, just use powerbait and/or whatever the guide gives you. Don't skimp and get a crappy chinese rod.

If you want to really trout fish, get a fly rig.

 

[Cinaet]

Have a great time! Nothing more fun than catching a 2 pound trout on ultralight gear.

As for gear, in my mind it really depends on how much you're going to use it. If you plan on making this an annual trip the rest of your life get the best you can afford. The sky's the limit. But you can get by respectably using a Cabela's Fish Eagle rod (they're on sale right now) and a Pflueger GX-7 reel for less than $100 total. Should be a combination that'll last several years.

Edit: I checked Bass Pro and they have a nice little Pflueger combo for $60.

http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-Trion-GX7-Spinning-Rod-and-Reel-Combos/product/100904/

 

[TulsaGeoff]

The yellow garlic power bait. We were tearing it up in Gaston's using this. I tried fly fishing for awhile, but switched back to this because of how effective it was. +1 on the ultralight rig

 

[dennishoddy]

Ask your guide to show you how to fly fish. You won't trout fish Amy other way.

 

[jmike314]

This is a team trip. Coaches, wrestlers, fathers. Jon boats on the White river so no fly fishing. I end up in the same boat as the head coach...'cause he always has the best guide.
We spend all day on the river. As much of a non-fisher that I am, I can still mange to pull 30+ out of the water.
I get more from being out in the middle of nowhere just relaxing than I do from fishing.....but fresh trout for lunch is definitely a winner.

Looking at a light set up...that GX-7 might just do the trick.
I appreciate the input, gentlemen.

 

[IndVet]

Grew up in Colorado fishing for trout.

Go ultra-light. 5' or 5' 6" rod. No more than 4 lb test.

Best trout lure I ever used (and still do) is a red and white Dardevle spoon in 1/8 or 1/16 oz.