Trout Fishing without a Fly Rod (Best Alternatives & Things to Know)

This fishing style to a good number of anglers is a present-day reality. They are yet to conceive in their minds and also embrace it as true or possible. Meanwhile, the reason is not that far-fetched. Do you know why? They probably must have fallen in love with fly fishing (which involves the use of fly rod). They did this without even realizing there’s a pretty good option like a spinning rod.

Trout fishing without a fly rod is very possible. Having said that, I’ll tell you how you can do this. You can actually utilize a spinning rod to fish for trout without having to depend on a fly rod.

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Things to Know

When covering a large portion of water with your lure, it is also known as fan casting. Always make sure to visualize or view the water in front of you as a time clock. Even so, don’t just cast toward twelve (12) o’clock, but rather cast from nine (9) o’clock to three (3) o’clock.

That said, it is also imperative to cover all the water within your casting radius or region. At some point you may start wondering whether the need for fan casting is actually needed or not. This might be one of the main causes of beginners experiencing good luck.

Well, like me, you may not believe in luck but would try to figure out the real cause of it. On the other hand anglers who are not very experienced. They don’t have enough or have little or no control over where their lure goes.

brown trout in fly fishing net

Do You Believe in Luck?

More often than not they result in fishing randomly in many different directions. Anyways, sometimes they are lucky enough to have the odds in their favor (whether accidentally or not). Perhaps they are also fan casting in a sense. Meanwhile, that sounds hilariously crazy.

Going forward, the more you can cast subsequently, the more fish you can access or reach. Meanwhile, here is another obvious mistake you may notice a good number of anglers make.

This is they begin or start to reel in the spinner or lure almost immediately when it hits the water. Well, if by chance the trout are feeding near the surface, you may be fortunate enough to get a bite.

But however, that isn’t normally the case most of the time. The trout are usually holding deeper in the water body. Then the biggest chances are it is most likely to be a very slow day.

Some Good Solutions

The simple solution is? Remember to count your lure down. With respect to the shape and size of the spinner, a pretty good rule is the fact that it will normally sink one foot (ft) per second.

Then after you have made your cast, make sure that you wait and count. This will certainly give you an idea or notion of how deep your lure is. You could reel in one cast when it lands on the surface. Then allow the next one sink down for two (2) counts, thereafter 4, 6, 8 counts and so on.

Eventually in the long run, you will know where exactly the bottom is. This will also help you stay focused on the entire water body or column.

That aside, here are some ideas that might sound somewhat silly at first. You count out loud, don’t scream it, but loud enough so you could hear yourself.

The reason is that if you catch a fish on an eight (8) count for example. Then wouldn’t it make much sense to count down to eight (8) again the next time?

brown trout cached in winter fishing near to ice fishing rod

Time Goes by Quickly

Of course yes. But sometimes though, in the heat of the battle, you may forget what number you were at during the count. You may also find ”counting out loud” as a strategy that helps you keep track of where you are.

However, this perhaps may not be an issue for you. Really just thought I’d throw it out there as some vital information. Furthermore, between the fan casting and counting down, your lure will obviously be covering much more of the water.

The water that is in front of you, and as well you are reaching more trout. Even so, you’re already well positioned to be on your way to being a much more effective spinner fisherman.

Fishing Lures Come in All Shapes and Sizes

In addition, the brook trout are normally smaller than other trout species. But obviously make up for it in their quest, aggression, or willingness to bite spinners.

More specifically, it’s important to know that it is called a spinner for a reason. Which is simply because – (The blade spins). If it isn’t spinning, then you’re certainly not trout fishing.

So therefore, you would need to keep that blade moving smoothly. More often than not, the blade on certain spinners will stick without making any move.

And obviously what you get in such situation is simply a wasted cast. Meanwhile, here’s what you could do to solve the problem. From the very moment you start retrieving the lure, give the lure a pull or jerk with the rod.

Meanwhile, this isn’t a hook set though just a pretty nice short jerk. By so doing, the existing tension on the line alongside the rush of water over the blade will get the blade to spin and jump into action. That said, you could also do this on virtually every cast. It is indeed an easy way or method to ensure your lure’s effectiveness.

fly fisherman wearing fishing vest and catching brown trout

Do Colors Matter?

When it comes to the impact color it could make a difference while fishing for trout. Some people would bet that this aspect is one of the most important of all.

However, it is also very important to concentrate or focus more on the presentation. I do strongly believe that any color of lure can be effective if properly done before setting out to fish. In addition, there are a couple of things you would also have to keep in mind. This is especially for most stained or muddy water you obviously would need more flash.

In clearer terms, it means either sizing up spinners or perhaps switching or changing to a shinier blade. This is also true in clear water, either size down lures or change or switch to a less reflective blade.

But in cold water, fish generally seem to be attracted or respond better to more flash. So, therefore, you should consider going bigger or shinier.

Does Water Temperature Matter

As it regards warm water, fish do respond much better to less flash. Also, plan to go smaller or less shiny. Furthermore, as far as reflectivity is concerned, silver is obviously shinier than gold. Then the list includes the likes of copper, bronze, brass, nickel, and a couple of other fundamental elements.

Well, that’s just my view. I honestly think in that order but not necessarily for sure. The reason I’m bringing this up is that nickel and silver are somewhat difficult to differentiate with the naked human eye.

This is quite troublesome because nickel is much less reflective when looking from the fish’s point of view. Meanwhile, a good number of cheaper lure companies will probably replace silver with nickel in a bid to cut corners.

So what if it turns out to be hot and clear, or cold and turbid, or hot and stained? Obviously, this is where the whole thing gets confusing.

However, you just try to make a pretty good guess at it, while you also give it a try. And if it doesn’t work out as planned? Well, that’s the next point I’m about to discuss.

fly fisherman trout fishing with backpack and rain jacket in the mountains

Why Change Lures

So you’d like to know why fish with the same lure virtually all day and fish aren’t hitting it. Simply try a different one. But also note that I don’t recommend nor expect you to spend all day changing lures and end up not fishing.

That being said, you want to make sure to give each one a fair try or chance before switching again. You could also make this easier by attaching a snap swivel to the edge or end of your line. This will obviously prevent having to retying your knots constantly, and as well prevent line twist.

Here’s A Brief Note; be sure not to fall for the temptation of going cheap when buying swivels. It is quite true that you could get away with it sometimes, but not here really.

Mind you, cheap swivels obviously tend to bind under the line tension and not spin. And before you would be able to figure these things out you have a problem.

You just might end up in a merry-go-round or perhaps with a lapful of bird’s nest. However, do yourself a favor and go for a ball bearing swivels. Because, ball bearing swivels will still spin under all kinds of tension (regardless of the degree).

In conclusion, however, whether or not you reel fast, reel slow, or change it up. It still boils down to how willing or aggressive the trout are feeling.

It is obvious that one might work better than another and as a general rule of thumb. It is better to retrieve more slowly in cold water but faster in warm water. This is by no means a guaranty, so I recommend you keep trying until you find what works for you.

Bob Hoffmann

The author of this post is Bob Hoffmann. Bob has spend most of his childhood fishing with his father and now share all his knowledge with other anglers. Feel free to leave a comment below.

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