Soft plastics are the new frontier of trout trolling: they look, feel, and hold scent like real forage, and they cost pennies. Rig a Trix Worm, Trix Minnow, or Trix Grub on 8 to 10 lb fluorocarbon with an action disc and two bobber stops. Troll naked at 1.8 to 2.2 mph, up to 3 plus when fish are active. Slather on Trigger Scent, and let a biting fish grab the tail before you set.
How do I rig soft plastics for trout trolling?
Cal Kellogg uses one universal leader: 8 to 10 lb fluorocarbon, a bead, two bobber stops, and a Trigger Disc with its stem toward a number four hook, ending in a surgeon's loop about 36 to 40 inches long. The two bobber stops keep the rig from sliding at any speed. A Trix Rigging Kit has the parts.
How fast should I troll soft plastics and grubs?
Slow to moderate. Cal Kellogg targets 1.8 to 2.2 mph with worms, minnows, and grubs, but is not afraid to push to 3 plus mph when fish are active or drop below 1.8 when they are finicky. Grubs were once trolled at 1 mph, but do not get locked into one speed.
How do I rig a grub for trolling?
Point the hook out opposite the curl of the tail so the grub spins like a drill bit. Cal Kellogg threads a Mustad Slow Death Hook down the center and pops it out at the body-tail junction. Because a spinning grub twists line, always run a trolling swivel, and add a rudder for long days.
Do soft plastics need scent?
Yes, they hold it beautifully. Cal Kellogg coats his plastics in Trigger Scent about 80 percent of the time, switching to garlic in cold, muddy water and sweet corn when it is clear and warm. Scent makes a fish that mouths the tail hang on long enough to hook.
Should I run soft plastics naked or behind a dodger?
Cal Kellogg trolls them naked with just an action disc about 90 percent of the time. To add attraction, remove the disc, shorten the leader to 9 to 12 inches, and run the bait behind a 6 inch dodger or a Mini Willow Dodger. A Turbo Flasher adds flash and vibration on big or stained water.
How should I set the hook on a trolled soft plastic?
Wait. Trout often grab the tail two, three, or four times before committing, so do not touch the rod on the first tap. When the fish is convinced, the rod buries and the bait ends up deep in its mouth. Pulling the rod early just takes the bait away from a fish that was about to eat.
What color soft plastic should I use?
Match forage like you would a spoon. On bait fish lakes run natural and white to imitate shad and pond smelt; a natural Trix Minnow is Cal Kellogg's best pond smelt copy. On Sierra bug lakes run bright colors. Once you get bit, make subtle color changes to dial in the pattern.
Watch the technique
Trolling soft plastics and grubs for trout FAQ
About 8 to 10 fish per worm when the bite is on, according to Cal Kellogg. The plastic is tough and stretchy, so it survives repeated hookups. If one tears, a dab of super glue repairs it and you keep fishing.
Thread the hook from the nose so the point exits halfway to two thirds down the body. That way a trout nipping the tail still gets the hook. For a fast rig when fish are aggressive, Cal Kellogg pulls the hook nearly out of the tail and lets water pressure hold it alongside the bait.
A grub is built to spin, which is exactly what draws strikes but also twists line fast. Always run a trolling swivel, and add a trolling rudder when you fish grubs or worms for long stretches. Without them, the twist migrates up into your main line and even ruins leadcore.
Cal Kellogg uses Trigger Scent most of the time for its bait fish anise profile. He switches to garlic in cold, muddy water and sweet corn in clear, warmer water. The key is to use a scent you have confidence in and reapply it often.
Yes. On big or off-colored water Cal Kellogg pairs a grub or worm with a Turbo Flasher or a small dodger for extra flash and vibration that pulls fish from a distance. On small clear lakes he keeps it simple and runs the bait naked with just an action disc.
They move, feel, and hold scent like real forage, so fish grab them and hang on. Bass anglers have relied on plastics for the same reason for decades. They are versatile, cost pennies compared to a spoon or plug, and produce at least a few fish almost every day.
- Trix Worms 3" - Trout Soft Bait - 5 Pack
- Trix Minnows 3" - Trout Soft Bait - 5 Pack
- Trix Grubs 3" - Trout Soft Bait - 5 Pack
- Trix Rigging Kit - Trout Soft Bait Rig
- Trigger Discs - 5 Pack
- Mustad Slow Death Hook - 4 Pack
- Trigger Scent UV Gel by Cal Kellogg
- Mini Willow Dodger - Kokanee & Trout
- Turbo Flasher
