Can You Use A Baitcaster For Trout Fishing
Being an omnivore who wouldn’t love to eat fresh trout. It’s delicious in taste and a great source of protein and Omega-3. Oh wait a minute, let me stop being a nutritionist and talk about the topic “can you use a baitcaster for trout fishing?” Yes, of course! When it comes to the baitcasters, besides their cons, they are still matchless while casting any fish. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bass, salmon, trout, or halibut. The only thing that matters is your fishing skills; it takes a little time to master your skill with a baitcaster.
Trout fishing is so popular because of the elusive nature of trout, its clear visibility in the water, and always putting up a good fight. It is the 4th most famous fishing in North America. As an angler, nothing gets my heart pumping faster than seeing a trout take a dry fly off the water. But what about if you miss your catch every time or most of the time? Of course, it is never going to be a good feeling. That’s why I prefer baitcasting reels while casting light lures over spinning rods and reels when it’s all about trout.
Let’s discuss it in detail.
Should I use baitcasting reels for trout?
You don’t need a bait cast reel to catch trout because the bait casting reels have good fishing characteristics. However, the baitcaster has now become lighter with the advancements of step-by-step techniques and thus can use baitcasters on this fishing style. As I said earlier, transitioning from baitcast to spinning reel can be extremely hard once they have stayed in your possession long.
Honestly speaking, fishing is a sport that usually depends upon the habits of an angler. It’s not always easy for an angler to switch over his equipment occasionally. When you have the right gear combination, I recommend sticking with it. But if you ask whether using a baitcaster is possible, my answer is yes. Is baitcaster good enough for trout fishing? My answer will be yes again.
But it also depends upon your skill and familiarity with using a baitcaster. If you are a newbie, use light or light medium baitcaster using lightweight lures.
Baitcasters are best for trout fishing because they are known for their accuracy, controllability, and strength. They can handle heavy and light lures and lines without compromising their action. Because of their power, you can easily use them to cast at a far distance, and they can bear a hefty trout well.
Most anglers don’t pay attention to the baitcaster during fishing trout because most people think about flying or spinning reels for such action. But it would be best to use a baitcaster, especially fishing trout in a rivulet.
How to Catch Trout Using a Baitcaster Reel?
You first must adjust the tension of the baitcasting reel so your fishing line can barely drop to the surface without unraveling your spool. If you want to cast a far, turn your reel tension slightly. Usually, I use â…› oz lures, but some prefer smaller lures for catching trout. You should use a medium power rod with a moderate fast or slow action tip.
Here are some more tips on catching trout with a baitcaster.
Bait Fishing
Bait fishing involves using live bait, such as worms or small fish, to attract trout. Beginners often use this technique and can be effective in still waters or slow-moving streams.
Lure Fishing
Lure fishing involves using artificial lures to mimic the movements of baitfish. This technique requires more skill than bait fishing but can be effective in various fishing environments.
Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is a popular technique that uses a special fishing rod and line to cast lightweight flies. This technique requires a lot of skill and practice, but it can be very effective for catching trout in fast-moving streams and rivers.
What are the Advantages of Using Baitcaster For Fishing Trout
Baitcaster is mainly used by sport fishing enthusiasts chasing the largest species in freshwater or streams with bigger lures. However, they work with light lures as well.
What are the Disadvantages of Using Baitcaster For Fishing Trout
Besides advantages, there are some cons of baitcaster as well
Tips For Choosing The Right Baitcaster For Trout Fishing | Gear Recommendations
It is essential to keep an eye out if using an old trout fishing rod. This is done by distinguishing the current baitcaster from the older reel. Most older reels are heavier and bulkier and not designed to feed trout. In the future, it is recommended that you use a reel under six kilograms with a four-pound testing line. It is an excellent technique for casting baitcasters. You must also use rods weighing at least 7.5 lbs.
As mentioned earlier, fishing is a personalized game. You can be good at catching a trout with a baitcaster if you have mastered it, and on the other hand, you might miss your catch even with a spinning reel and rod if you are a noob. Catching a trout with spinning is a great idea but going with a baitcaster is also not bad if you don’t have any other option.
As mentioned, baitcaster work well with heavy lines and lures, but when it comes to trout fishing, you need lighter lures and lines to do it perfectly. It doesn’t mean that the lighter lure doesn’t work with the baitcasting reel, but my point is to let you convince yourself that you need much practice to make it happen. And yes, you can catch many trout while casting with a baitcaster.
If you are going for a trout, remember the key to lighter lures while casting a baitcaster: keep your arm movement short. Please don’t overdo it, and let the rod power handle your cast. The power of your cast should be decided by the weight of your lure, fishing line, and split shot, along with the power of your rod tip.
It doesn’t matter if you are found off any cast. The key to success is keeping your arm movement short. Just imagine an analogue clock. Start your casting at 1 o’clock, and end it at 11 o’clock by bringing it forward.
Here are some tips you should consider before buying any gear for trout fishing.
Bait Finesse Systems | BFS
Bait Finesse System, or BFS, was started in Japan. Many of the finesse techniques we have today are mainstream fishing in the United state. BFS is along the same line and trajectory of drop shot rods, Nikos, and all the different finesse techniques.
The primary purpose of the Bait Finesse System reels was to use lighter lures and lines, super small ultra-lightweight crankbaits, and small spinners with a baitcasting setup. Which we usually throw with a spinner rod.
Here are some high-quality BFS reels:
So with the help of BFS, now you have all the benefits of a baitcaster setup while using the lighter equipment, which we didn’t have in the past.
How To Setup Your Baitcaster
There isn’t a hard and fast rule on setting up a bait caster. Firstly, choose which line you will use while casting for a trout. I prefer a braided line with a fluorocarbon leader because a braided line is lite, strong, and sensitive compared to a monofilament line and is best for catching trout fish. In contrast, the fluorocarbon leader is almost invisible to trout in the water.
Choose a medium heavy or medium action rod and a lighter lure, as we need more lightweight equipment for trout fishing. But if you are going for lake trout, which we will discuss later, you should choose heavy gear.
If you want to know in detail, you can also check our complete guide on How to setup a baitcaster.
Best Baitcaster Reel & Combo For Trout Fishing
After reading all the stuff, you must be curious about which baitcasting reel will work best for trout fishing. Honestly, I have not tried every baitcaster in the market. However, I can guide you through some of the products I have used, which will work fine for trout fishing.
I used the Abu Garcia Pro Max & Max Low Profile Baitcaster Combo, which cost around 120$. Also, I have tried a Shimano SLX reel with an Ugly Stik Elite casting rod, costing me about 150$. Both have worked fine for me, and these are good options compared to the cost factor. The reel was smoother than most higher-end reels with the super strong heavy medium action rod.
I have also used Daiwa Fuego CT, which is a good option if you want to remain on a budget without compromising on product quality.
Furthermore, Shimano provides a range of a wide array of baitcasting techniques with finesse. Daiwa’s latest models are firm but still impressive. When using finesse baitcasting gear to feed trout, it is worth examining the Daiwa Steez CT. However, Shimano SLX is smoother on retrieval and casts a little further.
The medium or medium-heavy rod will work fine because trout is not a big fish.
Best Baitcasting Reel for Trout Under $100
As per my year of experience, while using a baitcasting reel, I recommend the following Best baitcasting reels under $100.
Daiwa Fuego CT – High Quality Baitcasting Reel for Trout Under $100
This reel was first released in Feb 2017 by a Japanese company, so it has been out for a while now. So if you are under budget and looking for a pocket-friendly thought, a fine, aluminum framed, well-balanced reel Daiwa Fuego is one of them.
Daiwa Fuego has an aluminum frame and graphite side plates, which help the life of the reel and keep everything tight. The reel has 13.2 lbs of drag, known as UTD ultimate tournament drags, with oversized carbon washers. The reel comes up with multiple gear ratios. The most important thing is this reel’s braking system, which allows you to use it with lighter lures.
The reel is equipped with a Magforce brake system, allowing you to control your cast even at a longer distance. The magnetic braking system stops the reel from over-spooling and prevents it from being birdnest.
Features
High-Quality Build
Smooth Operation
Accurate Casting
Versatile
It can be bumpy on slow retrieval.
Best Baitcasting Reels For Trout Over $100
Here are the three best baitcasting reels over $100.
Shimano Curado DC | Best Baitcast Reel For Trout
Shimano Curado DC is one of the best reels I have ever used. As mentioned in its name, DC is an abbreviation of digitally controlled, as it has a computerized braking system on the side of the reel, preventing it from over spooling and birdnest. It is packed with unique features like a power aluminum frame which provides an extra layer of durability. On the side of the reel, you have a digital dial with multiple options listed below;
As your spool turns, the computerized system will adjust the braking automatically.
Features
Digital Control System
Smooth and Consistent Drag
High-Quality Build
Lightweight Design
Versatile
A little expensive
Daiwa Tatula SV TW Baitcasting Reel For Trout
Features:
With a smaller compact body, Daiwa Tatula SV TW is equipped with 2 CRBBs (Corrosion restaurant ball bearings) in their spool and at the side plate around the Magforce brake. It also has a shortened handle with zero adjust spool tension knob. It is available in three different speed models with an outstanding balance of speed and power which comes with its phenomenal gear ratio.
It has a 74cm/turn retrieval rate which is also exceptional. As mentioned earlier in our guide, the perfect weight baitcaster reel for trout fishing is around 7 ounces. The one reason to pick this reel was that it was lighter in weight and weighed about 7.2 ounces, making it perfect for catching trout and others.
It has 13.2 lbs drag, providing the most control and torque over a fish.
Advanced Braking System
Smooth and Powerful Drag
High-Quality Build
Lightweight Design
Versatile
Only 100 yards line capacity
Best Baitcasting Rods for Trout
It’s possible to catch trout with baitcasters using an average rod size of 10 ounces. It also means obtaining a rod with light, ultralight power with an average length of six ft 6. It is advisable for you to get a longer rod that is 5 feet or 6 inches wide. Its goal is to make everything minimal and easy to use. A baitcasting reel provides the power needed when it comes to casting trout. It is advisable to carry the handle comfortably during the casting. Getting a lightweight lure with a baitcaster can be difficult.
Finding the perfect combination of baitcaster setup for trout can be difficult. Most sellers think people go for spinning gear, so you must do a little market research to find the best rod. It is better if it’s a slow action rod as it bends closer to the reel providing extra control over bait.
Furthermore, I have mentioned above that a 6.6 inches medium action rod will also work well for trout. Here is another crucial thing which you have to consider before buying a rod, and that is the grip of the rod.
Best line for Trout Fishing with a Baitcaster
When deciding the lines, choose monofilaments. Why do trout attack fish baits differently than bass and other fish? The trout paused to nibble before it committed to winning it. And when you get off your rig early, you will not find any trout.
Mono Line has an extended stretch of its braiding line, which allows you more time for forgiveness before pulling the fish bait into the fish. The line will need weighing to make it much simpler to caster heavier baits. You can use split shots at a few locations on a lure when you’ve got weight. This should work.
Best Bait to Try for Trout
The most common bait for trout fishing is live worms or nightcrawlers. These baits have been used for decades and have proven their effectiveness in getting trout to bite the hook. Live baiting has also been shown to be more sustainable than other fishing methods because it is less damaging to the environment. The standard worm sizes used for trout fishing are BB and smaller.
You can also use small pieces of bread or dough balls, dead minnows or mealworms. In some areas, saltwater fish such as mullet may be used as bait to attract trout in estuaries where both species live together.
Also, we have listed some best baits to try for trout.
Fishing for Lake Trout with a Baitcaster
After hearing about trout fish, the first thing that comes to mind is a small or a medium size freshwater fish. But lake trout isn’t a small fish. It’s primarily found in the lakes of North America and Europe, also known as “Steelhead” or “Salmon Trout”, because it can grow bigger depending on the temperature and environment.
So if you are thinking of catching a lake trout forget about light lures and low profile baitcaster setup because you need some heavier lines as lake trout will give you a tough time.
Fishing for Speckled Trout with a Baitcaster
Speckled trout are not as big as Lake Trout, and generally around 12-14 inches, they can grow as big as 20 inches and weigh around 5 pounds. So fishing a speckled trout is different from the lake trout as speckled trout is a saltwater fish. Here we are discussing freshwater fishing.
FAQ’s
Can you use a baitcasting reel for trout fishing?
Yes, you can use a baitcasting reel for trout fishing, but it requires a certain level of skill and technique. Baitcasting reels are not typically the most popular choice for trout fishing, as they can be more difficult to use than spinning reels. However, it can be a viable option for experienced anglers who are comfortable with a baitcasting reel.
Is it harder to use a baitcasting reel than a spinning reel?
For beginners, baitcasting reels can be more difficult than spinning reels due to the potential for backlash and tangles. However, with practice and proper technique, many anglers find that baitcasting reels offer greater control and accuracy. Ultimately, choosing between a baitcasting and spinning reel comes from personal preference and skill level.
What is the best type of bait to use when trout fishing with a baitcasting reel?
Artificial lures that mimic baitfish movements, such as small spinners, spoons, and crankbaits, are typically the best choice when using a baitcasting reel for trout fishing. It’s important to select lures that are lightweight and easy to cast, as well as those that match the size and color of the trout’s natural prey.
How do you prevent backlash when using a baitcasting reel for trout fishing?
To prevent backlash, it’s important to use proper casting techniques and adjust the braking system on the reel. Starting with a low braking system setting and gradually increasing it as you become more comfortable with the reel can help to prevent backlash. It’s also important to use a smooth, fluid motion when casting and to avoid jerky movements that can cause tangles.
What is the best gear ratio for a baitcasting reel when trout fishing?
When trout fishing, the best gear ratio for a baitcasting reel can vary depending on the specific fishing conditions and personal preference. However, gear ratios in the range of 5:1 to 7:1 are typically recommended for trout fishing. Higher gear ratios can provide faster retrieves, while lower gear ratios offer more power for reeling in larger fish.
Conclusion
The trick to catching rainbow trout on baitcasters is to use the smallest lightweight reel. If you own one baitcaster that is bigger and heavier, you can still catch trout, though this is more challenging than you think. It is because heavier reels work better if you need finesse skills.
In the case of trout, the baitcasting will become more efficient if you go for a little expensive gear. Because the higher the price, the better the quality of the products will be, and that’s what you need while casting for a trout.