Cast farther for trout by holding the line with just your fingertip, not your whole index finger, so it releases clean off a spinning reel with the bail up. Light line and light bait fling a long way, but do not overcast. Planted trout hug the shore, so bombing casts to the middle is wasted. On the retrieve keep the rod tip low at the surface, let the bait sink 3 to 15 seconds to the bottom, then twitch it back three or four times and rest, keeping the line tight. In cold, murky water fish PowerBait on a 3 to 5 foot leader.
How do I cast farther with a spinning reel?
Make sure the bail is up toward the rod handle, then hold the line with just the tip of your finger, not your whole index finger. Pull back to pin the line as you open the bail. On the release the line falls off the fingertip cleanly for longer, more accurate casts. Gripping the entire line with your finger shortens casts and causes miscasts and tangles.
How do I retrieve a light bait for trout?
Keep the rod tip down low at the surface. Do not lift the rod and twitch it up in the air like a bass angler. Let the bait sink to the bottom, anywhere from 3 or 4 seconds up to 10 or 15 in deeper water, then tighten up. Twitch it back three or four times, let it rest, and repeat, picking up line so it stays tight.
How far should I cast for trout?
Not as far as most anglers think. Captain Nate Kelsch sees people bombing casts toward the middle of the lake for no reason. Planted trout stay close to the shorelines, especially near launch ramps and plant sites. A shorter, accurate cast that keeps your bait in the strike zone near shore catches far more fish.
What line should I use for casting trout?
Cal Kellogg switched his spinning rods to braid over mono. Braid casts farther, lasts longer, is stronger, and resists line twist. He runs 15 lb braid that is exceptionally thin. Bright yellow or chartreuse braid also makes line watching easy, so you can see the light bites that matter in cold water, low light, or chop.
Do I need a leader when casting bait for trout?
Yes. Nate Kelsch fishes a long leader for PowerBait, 3 to 5 feet, when the water is cold and fish are lethargic. Cal ties a fluorocarbon top shot lighter than his braid, so if he hangs up he loses only the top shot and keeps the more expensive braided line intact.
What bait works for cold, murky water from shore?
A rainbow or chartreuse PowerBait with glitter on a 3 to 5 foot leader is Nate's top shore option in cold, murky water. Fish it near the launch ramps where trout are planted, typically Thursday or Friday each week. Cold fish sit tight and lethargic, so keep the bait in front of them near shore.
Should I work the retrieve right handed or left handed?
Pick the side that feels most comfortable and stay on it. Whether your right or left is predominant, work the bait back on that side while you learn the rhythm. As you get more used to the twitch and rest cadence, you will find you can work it either way.
Watch the technique
Casting and retrieving for trout FAQ
No. Use just the fingertip. Holding the entire line against the rod with your full index finger forces you to release before the line comes off, which shortens your cast and hurts accuracy.
Usually because you are gripping too much line with your index finger and the bail is not set right. Set the bail up toward the handle, hold the line with your fingertip, and the cast releases clean and long.
From 3 or 4 seconds in shallow water up to 10 or 15 seconds in deeper spots, until it settles on the bottom. Then tighten the line before you start the twitch and rest retrieve.
Bright, high visibility braid such as yellow, chartreuse, white, or orange. Cal watches the line for light bites, and cold water fish often barely tap the bait, so a line you can see clearly matters.
Braid. It casts farther, is stronger, lasts longer, and resists line twist better than mono. Pair it with a fluorocarbon top shot that is lighter than the braid so hangups sacrifice only the top shot.
Nate recommends 3 to 5 feet. A longer leader lets the buoyant bait rise naturally off the bottom and helps when cold, lethargic trout are reluctant to move far for it.
Close to shore near the launch ramps and plant sites, not out in the middle of the lake. Plantings often go in Thursday or Friday, so fishing near the ramps right after gives the best shot.
Be a line watcher. Keep the rod tip low and the line tight, and watch a high visibility braid for subtle movement. In cold water the take is often just a light tick rather than a hard pull.
