Chloe Zhang
Soft plastic lures are a highly effective way to catch lake trout. While in-line spinners, spoons, and hard baits are popular choices for trout fishing, soft plastics are evolving faster than any other lure genre. There are several ways to rig soft plastics for lake trout, including the Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Drop Shot Rig, and Wacky Rigging. The Texas Rig is a foundation rig used in various setups, such as the Carolina Rig and Drop Shot Rig. The Carolina Rig is effective for fishing deep-water fish like lake trout, as it can be set with a weight of up to 2 ounces without reducing bait action. The Drop Shot Rig is ideal for pressured and sluggish fish in colder waters, and it involves using a drop shot weight at the end of the line with a short arm holding the hook and soft-plastic lure a few inches above it. Anglers can also use an unweighted slip-float rig for trout, which allows for easy depth adjustments. When choosing soft plastics, opt for slim profiles in the 2- to 4-inch range, and select bright or natural colours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of trout | Brown, Brook, Cutthroat, Rainbow |
| Habitat | Freshwater lakes and rivers |
| Feeding habits | Lake trout live on a variety of forage fish depending on their size and location |
| Rigging techniques | Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Drop Shot, Wacky Rigging |
| Lures | Soft-plastic lures, tubes, spoons, spinners, swimbaits, worms |
| Bait | Nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, small minnows, large suckers, gold shiners |
| Weight | Banana weights, egg weights |
| Line | Lead core fishing line |
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What You'll Learn
Soft plastics are the ultimate lake trout lures
The standard round plastic bobber isn't a great option for trout fishing. It splashes down loudly, rides the current awkwardly, and forces you to adjust the depth of your bait before you cast. An unweighted slip-float rig is a better option. Slip floats slide freely on your main line, and the distance between the float and your hook can be quickly adjusted by sliding rubber float stops up and down your line.
When it comes to soft plastics, there are a few different rigs you can use. The Texas rig is a foundation rig that's used in different setups, such as the Carolina rig, drop shot rig, and shaky rig. It's a quick and easy setup that can be applied to most soft plastic baits: worms, creatures, tubes, stickbaits, tails, craws, trailers, toads, and beavers. The Wacky rig is another option. It's similar to the Texas rig, but the plastic bait is put on the hook differently, and you don't need an offset hook style. With the Wacky rig, you simply pierce the bait in the middle and let it hang in the gap of the hook.
The Drop shot rig is another popular option for trout fishing. This rig starts with a drop shot weight at the end of your line. A few inches to a foot above the weight, a dropper loop in the leader creates a short arm perpendicular to the main line. This short arm holds the hook and a soft-plastic lure, and the idea is to keep this rig shaking in place, allowing the lure to dance and quiver until a non-committal fish decides to strike. Almost any slim profile soft-plastic in the 2- to 4-inch range can work on a drop shot rig.
When choosing your soft plastics, opt for swimbaits with thin profiles. Trout have relatively small mouths compared to other baitfish-gobbling species. They tend to quickly swipe at their prey and only "taste" it with a partially opened jaw. To avoid missing smaller fish, thin-profile swimbaits are the way to go. You can also use downsized soft plastic worms, which are great for trout.
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The Texas rig is a foundation rig
The Texas rig is a foundational setup for fishing that can be used in various ways, such as the Carolina rig, drop shot rig, and shaky rig. It is a versatile and simple setup that can be applied to most soft plastic baits, including worms, creatures, tubes, and craws. The rig is effective in almost any water depth, from inches of water to 70 feet, and can be used from a boat or the bank.
The key components of the Texas rig include a soft plastic lure, a bullet-shaped weight, and an offset hook. The setup is designed to be weedless, allowing it to penetrate dense vegetation and submerged weeds without getting snagged. The bullet-shaped weight, or sinker, helps increase casting distance and ensure the lure swims correctly through the water. Anglers can also add a bead to create a clicking noise that mimics the sound of a crayfish, attracting feeding fish.
When rigging the plastic bait onto the hook, the goal is to ensure the hook is hidden within the bait. The basic technique involves inserting the hook point into the nose of the worm, circling it down and out of the "belly," and then sliding the worm up the shank of the hook. The hook point should be embedded just under the surface of the bait to minimize snags when fishing in dense cover.
The Texas rig is an excellent choice for anglers targeting bass, pike, and pickerel, especially in areas with heavy vegetation or cover. It is also effective for catching largemouth bass that tend to forage in thick vegetation and weed beds. With its versatility and simplicity, the Texas rig is a foundational setup that anglers can use as a starting point for various fishing techniques.
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The Wacky rig is the easiest way to set up a plastic bait
The Wacky rig is a simple and effective soft plastic fishing technique. It is a popular setup for bass fishing, but it can be used for any fish species. The Wacky rig is easy to set up and fish, and it is particularly effective in shallow, clear water. The subtle, slow-sinking shimmy of the bait triggers bass to feed, and its light weight resists snags, making it ideal for bank fishing.
To set up a Wacky rig, you will need an O-ring, a hook, and your preferred soft stick bait. The O-ring is placed in the centre of the bait, and the hook is then pierced through the O-ring and the bait. The bait hangs in the gap of the hook, with the point of the hook exposed. This setup allows the bait to slowly sink and shimmy through the water, attracting fish. The O-ring is not necessary, but it helps to prolong the life of the bait.
When fishing with a Wacky rig, it is important to match the bait to how natural baitfish present. In cold water, a natural, slack line fall is often the most effective method. As the water temperature rises, adding action to the rig can be beneficial. Lightly jigging the rod tip creates an erratic darting action that mimics the behaviour of baitfish in warmer water.
The Wacky rig is a versatile and straightforward technique that can be used in various fishing scenarios. It is a great option for anglers looking for a simple and effective way to set up plastic bait.
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Drop shotting is how you'll fool the biggest, wisest trout
Drop shotting is a highly finesse angling technique that is commonly used in bass fishing but can also be used to catch lake trout. It involves using a small thin-wire hook with a weight (also known as a sinker) attached to the end of the line. This is different from the Texas Rig and the Carolina Rig, where the weight is fixed above or in line with the bait. The drop shot rig allows the bait to be suspended above the weight, keeping it off the bottom and creating a more "weightless" appearance. This technique is particularly effective for enticing non-aggressive or pressured fish to strike.
To set up a drop shot rig for lake trout, start by attaching a drop shot weight to the end of your line. A few inches to a foot above the weight, create a dropper loop that is perpendicular to the main line. This loop will hold the hook and a soft-plastic lure. The lure should be slim-profiled and 2 to 4 inches in length. You can pin the bait through the nose with a size 1 or 2 drop shot hook.
Once your rig is set up, cast it upstream and let it settle to the bottom. Gently shake the rod tip to create a quivering or pulsating rhythm, making the lure dance and quiver. This action will help attract trout by mimicking the movement of prey. After holding the shake for about 30 seconds, lift the weight to move the rig further downstream, and repeat the process.
Drop shotting is an effective technique for fooling even the biggest and wisest trout. Unlike traditional lures, which require the fish to chase, drop shotting keeps the bait in the strike zone for a longer period, enticing bites through action or by triggering territorial behaviour. Additionally, the slow-moving, weightless-looking lure is ideal for enticing non-committal trout, as it gives them time to make their cautious strikes.
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Use plastics that mimic the type of bait at the bottom of the water
When fishing for lake trout, it's important to consider the type of bait that is typically found at the bottom of the water. Trout are known to feed on crayfish, especially during the fall and winter months when aquatic bug activity is lower. As such, using plastics that mimic crayfish or other small crustaceans can be an effective strategy. These hollow, skirted jig baits can be found in colours like brown, orange, and olive, effectively imitating the appearance of crayfish.
Additionally, trout also feed on smaller prey such as bugs, so using plastics that resemble insects or small grubs can be another successful approach. When selecting plastic lures, consider the natural forage found in the lake and choose colours and patterns that match. For clear water, opt for natural colours like browns and greens, while brighter or darker colours can be more effective in dirty water.
The Strike King Bitsy Tube in pumpkin-green flake is a popular choice for trout fishing, measuring 2 3/4 inches, which is large enough to represent a full-grown crayfish. When using tubes, consider trimming the skirt or tail slightly, as trout may nip at the rear of the bait, and trimming can help prevent tearing. Additionally, a light tube jig can be effective for vertical jigging or ice fishing, while a ballhead jig is better suited for casting and retrieving.
When fishing in lakes, the weight of your jig head will depend on how deep you want your plastic lure to go. If you're targeting trout near the surface or in the middle of the water column, opt for a lighter jig head. Heavier jig heads will cause the plastic to sink faster, which may be desirable if you're targeting trout closer to the lake bottom. Experiment with different jig heads to find the right weight and action for the type of trout fishing you're doing.
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Frequently asked questions
Lake trout are among the most magnificent freshwater creatures and can be found in oligotrophic lakes, which are low in nutrients and high in oxygen. They are a cold-water fish and prefer the deepest and darkest parts of the waterbody. Here are some tips for rigging plastics to catch them:
- Use soft plastics that mimic the type of bait that would be on the bottom of the water.
- Use baits that produce a thump, such as paddle-tail swimbaits, which can attract more trout strikes than traditional plastic and metal lures.
- Try drop shotting, which involves keeping the rig shaking in place, allowing the lure to dance and quiver until a fish strikes.
- Use an unweighted slip-float rig, which slides freely on your mainline and allows for quick depth adjustments.
There are several effective lures that can be used for lake trout:
- Rooster tails and spinners
- Flashy spoons, especially those tipped with feathers and wax worms
- Paddle-tail swimbaits
- Tubes, which imitate zooplankton
- Worms, especially soft plastic worms
Lake trout can be found in the deepest and darkest parts of the waterbody. Here are some techniques to reach them:
- Trolling with downriggers
- Clipping heavy banana weights to the fishing line
- Spooling reels with lead core fishing line
