Power Trolling Rainbows: When Small Baits Hit Big

Morning Mayhem: Rod Bent. Wind Howling. Fish On!

Picture this: wind spinning your boat, the trolling motor working overtime and your rod doubled over 200 feet back. You’re ripping at 2.7 MPH, running a spoon no bigger than a pinky—and boom: hook up. That’s exactly how Cal Kellogg kicked off a trout mission at Collins Lake, proving that downsizing your bait doesn’t mean downsizing your catch.

Rainbow Trout: The Fast Bite Fixer

When big plugs aren’t producing and the bite drags, it’s time to size down and speed up. Cal ditched Rapalas and speedy shiners for a copper Catch America Pinhead Spoon trolled just two feet under the surface. Result? A fat rainbow crushed it.

  • Depth: 1–2 ft under ~175–200 ft behind the boat
  • Speed: 2.6–2.7 MPH power troll
  • Lure: Pinhead Spoon (Copper)
  • Line Setup: 8 lb fluorocarbon leader, no weight
  • Pro Tip: “When the bite’s finicky, sometimes that small spoon at high speed is the only thing they’ll hit.”

“Big Spoon Energy? Not Today.”
All the popular speed trolling lures are big—great when fish chase. But when trout sulk, a small-profile pinhead mimics natural pond smelt and catches picky fish without sacrificing speed.

The Speed Trolling Comeback Story

Trolling fast isn’t fresh—it’s retro-cool. In the ‘60s, anglers pulled Rapalas at high speeds for browns and rainbows. Trolling then slowed down to 1–1.5 MPH for finesse. Suddenly speed trolling made sense again—and trout followed.

TROUT TROLLING CHEAT SHEET

Species

Best Lure

Depth

Pro Tip

Rainbow Trout

Catch America Pinhead Spoon

1–2 ft deep

Troll fast with a small profile when fish are picky

Time to Cover Water—Fast

The bite may not be wide open but trout are still hungry. Tie on your copper pinhead spoon, dial your speed in and cover water. Slow reveals but speed seals the deal.
Just don’t forget: revive your catch right. Use a net with current flow through their gills and take an extra few seconds to set them free healthy. Catch and release done right improves survival rates.

Want to replicate this setup? Grab a Catch America pinhead spoon (copper) and pair it with light 8 lb fluoro and a reliable spinning or trolling rod. All available at Catch America’s online store where it’s built for big trout action.

Ready to nail the next bite? Pinhead spools are waiting. Head to Catch America, stock up and hit the water. The bite’s on and your next rainbow is waiting in the fast lane.

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