Best Trout Lures in 2023 – 6 Lures that ALWAYS Work
Trout fish is inarguably one of the most popular game fish targeted by anglers worldwide, if not the most popular.
These fish are known to be hard fighters. They can also be stealthy and line shy as they will usually peck and nibble at the bait or lure without even disturbing the water.
That’s why they require a lot of skill to catch. You will need to familiarize yourself with their behavior and preferences in order to maximize your chances of catching them.
A trout’s ideal habitat is cold, clean oxygenated water, and their diet consists mainly of insect larva, small baitfish, and crawfish.
You also need to choose the right gear for targeting trout which includes rods, reels, lines, and most importantly lures.
Fishing lures come in a variety of designs and colors, so it can be difficult to choose the one that’s most suitable for your fishing technique. To help make your choice easier, here’s a compilation of the best trout lures available on the market.
| Lure | Size | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Fox Vibrax | 5.6 x 1.6 inches | Brass with Silver and Copper Plating |
| Panther Martin Classic Spinner | 5 x 1.9 inches | Blend |
| Worden’s Original Rooster Tail | 12 x 5.2 inches | Silver, Brass, or Copper Blades with UV coating |
| Rapala Original Floater | 5 X 2 inches | Balsa Wood with VMC nickel hooks |
| Rebel Jointed Minnow | 5 x 1.9 inches | Blend |
| Acme Kastmaster | 5 x 1.5 inches | Non Corrosive Brass |
Table of Contents
Best Lures for Trout
1. Best Overall – Blue Fox Vibrax
This fishing lure from Rapala is the top choice for catching trout species in rivers and lakes. It is one of the best spinner lures on the market.
It has a free-turning brass gear that’s built into the lure to prevent any line twist. It also creates a vibrating noise, which attracts trout to your lure and triggers them to bite.
It’s designed with brass stamped blades that are silver-plated or copper-plated. It comes in different colors and has an iridescent shine that will surely attract trout.
Pros Vs Cons
The Pros
- It comes in a variety of colors
- It’s good for fishing in rivers and lakes
- It’s built with a machined brass main body and plated blades
- It creates a vibration that attracts trout
- It comes with free-turning gear to reduce line twist
The Cons
It can be too heavy for a spinning lure
It’s suitable for surface fishing
Bottom Line
The Blue Fox Vibrax spinning trout lure is the best choice if you’re looking for a high-quality lure with excellent flash and action to attract trout.
2. Runner Up – Panther Martin Classic Spinner
Panther Martin is also one of the most trusted brands when it comes to fishing lures, especially trout fishing.
This classic spinner is the most effective in deeper bodies of water because of how heavy it is.
It’s designed with a unique shaft through blades that can create an easy and fast spinning action. These blades send out sonic vibrations that help attract trout to your lure and get them to bite.
Panther Martin’s spinners come in multiple colors, which are designed to lure in fish like trout as well as other freshwater fish species. The blades also come in different sizes, so you will be able to adjust the blade size according to your environment.
Pros Vs Cons
The Pros
- It’s suitable for deeper waters
- It works for trout as well as other freshwater fish species
- It creates sonic vibration that attracts trout
- It comes in multiple colors
- It’s built with different sized blades that can be easily adjusted
The Cons
It can be too heavy for shallow waters or surface fishing
Bottom Line
The Panther Martin classic spinner trout lure is the best option for you if you’re looking for an adjustable lure with a fast easy action for the best trout fishing.
3. Best On a Budget – Yakima Bait Worden’s Original Rooster Tail
This Worden’s Original Rooster Tail lure from Yakima Bait is one of the best trout lures that offer quality at an affordable price. It works perfectly whether you’re trolling or casting and retrieving.
The spinning blade is designed with a pulsating hackle rooster tail which makes the lure appear bigger and creates sonic vibration to attract trout fish.
The lure is available in so many color options, that it can be difficult to pick one. The blades are made from genuine silver, brass, or copper with a UV finish which makes them last a lot longer.
Pros Vs Cons
The Pros
- It has an in-line weighted body design
- It’s ideal for both trolling or casting and retrieving
- It’s available in many color options
- It has highly durable blades with UV coating
- It is designed with a pulsating tail that creates sonic vibrations
The Cons
The blades might occasionally get stuck when retrieving
Bottom Line
The Yakima Bait Worden’s Original Rooster Tail is the best option for you if you’re looking for a budget-friendly trout lure without sacrificing quality or efficiency.
4. Rapala’s Original Floater
Rapala’s Original Floater lure is another popular choice for many trout anglers. The bobbing up and down movement of the lure and its minnow shape will surely be effective in attracting trout fish.
What makes this lure special is that it’s made out of balsa wood, unlike others trout lures which are typically made of metal. It also comes with VMC black nickel hooks.
Since it’s made from balsa wood, the lure floats easily on the water surface which makes it excellent as a surface fishing lure. It can also go deep in the water because it’s built with a diving lip.
It’s available for purchase in different sizes, your choice will mostly depend on the size and species of trout you’re fishing for. It’s also available in a few different colors, including classic colors and patterns that mimic bleeding fish which will help get trout to bite more.
Pros Vs Cons
The Pros
- It’s constructed from Balsa wood with VMC black nickel hooks.
- It’s light in weight and ideal for surface fishing
- It can also be used for deepwater fishing
- It’s shaped like a minnow
- It’s available in a variety of sizes and colors
- It comes in bleeding patterns that mimic injured baitfish
The Cons
The material of the hooks is not very durable
Bottom line
The Rapala’s Original Floater lure is the best choice if you’re looking for a tank-tested multipurpose trout lure that can for both surface fishing and deep water fishing.
5. Rebel Jointed Minnow
The Rebel Jointed Minnow Lure is very similar to Rapala’s Original Floater, but the main difference is that this lure is designed with two pieces to its body.
This jerk bait lure is shaped like a slender minnow, so it perfectly imitates an injured baitfish which will help attract more trout fish to your bait.
It also features 3 sets of treble hooks to maximize your chances of landing a bigger trout along with a jointed tail that allows greater movement capabilities which should attract more strikes.
The Rebel Jointed Minnow works well for surface fishing, but it can also go two to about 3 feet deep in the water. It’s the most ideal for fishing in smaller streams.
It comes in basic colors like gold and silver, and it’s also available in more realistic lures designs so, you can purchase a lure that looks like a Tennessee Shad or Rainbow Trout.
Pros Vs Cons
The Pros
- It is designed with a jointed body that produces a lot of action
- It’s available in multiple color options
- It’s shaped like a slender minnow
- It imitates the look and movement of baitfish
- It comes with sets of treble hooks to catch bigger trout
- It’s ideal for both surface fishing and deep water fishing
The Cons
The material of the hooks isn’t very durable
Bottom line
The Rebel Jointed Minnow is the best choice for you if you’re looking for a realistic-looking jointed lure that perfectly mimics the movement of baitfish
By the way, you can check out my complete guide to using minnows for trout here.
6. Acme Kastmaster
The Acme Kastmaster is one of the best saltwater lures because of its impressive casting abilities. It can be used to catch trout and much other fish as well.
It’s the heavy lure that makes it the most ideal for deep-water fishing. It works well if you’re fishing in open water or deep streams.
The Acme Kastmaster lure stands out because it’s made of a durable brass material that doesn’t corrode after prolonged exposure to saltwater. This means the lure will retain its colors and luster to attract trout better.
It’s available in many styles and colors, some even have frog or rainbow trout patterns.
Pros Vs Cons
The Pros
- It’s made using high-quality non-corrosive materials
- It has great casting abilities
- It’s perfect for fishing in deep saltwater
- It’s available in many colors and patterns
- It can be used to catch other fish than trout
The Cons
It’s too heavy for fishing in shallow waters
Bottom line
The Acme Kastmaster is the best fishing trout fishing lure for you if you’re looking for a durable lure that won’t break or ben when used in saltwater
What you Need to Know About Trout Fishing
What Are the Common Types of Trout?
There are many different types of trout species. The most common species among anglers in the US are the Rainbow Trout, Steelhead Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Lake Trout, and Speckled Trout.
They all have distinctive features that make it easier to tell them apart:
Rainbow Trout – Their bodies are silver and rainbow-colored along the side. They tend to spend their entire life in freshwater.
Steelhead Trout – Their bodies are also silver and rainbow-colored along their side, however, they tend to spend the majority of their life in saltwater.
Cutthroat Trout – Their bodies are brown colored with an orange-red colored gill plate
Brown Trout – Their bodies are brown colored with a yellowish belly. They’re covered with black spots from head to tail.
Brook Trout – Their bodies are brown colored with a red belly. They’re covered with yellow spots.
Lake Trout – Their body is dark brown and covered with yellow spots. They typically grow to become bigger than all other trout species.
Speckled Trout – Their bodies are silver-colored with a white belly. They are covered in black spots from the beginning of their gill plate to the tip of their tail. They also tend to prefer saltwater.
You can learn more about Trout types in this trout vs Bass fishing comparison here.
Where to Find Trout?
Trout can typically be found in streams, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Most trout species prefer freshwater with the exception of the steelhead trout and speckled trout which usually prefer saltwater.
Most trout species can only survive in colder waters. If the water temperature gets too warm they tend to move to an area where the water temperature is cooler, otherwise, they might die.
That’s why they are more likely to be found in deeper holes in cold streams and rivers. They will stay close to current breaks such as rocks and trees while waiting for their prey.
When Is the Best Time to Fish for Trout?
The best time of the year to fish for trout would be during spring and fall. During this time, most lakes will be stocked as the water will be cooler and the trout will be more active and likely to bite.
The ideal time of the day to fish for trout would be the early morning when the water temperature coolers, ideally between 34 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time the oxygen content in the water would be higher in the water which also means that the trout would be more active.
How to Choose the Best Lure for Trout Fishing?
Choosing the best lure for trout fishing will give you a better chance to attract the attention of trout and get them to bite. Your choice will mainly depend on your preference and fishing technique.
Let’s take a closer look and different kinds of lures that you can use for trout fishing
Spoons and Spinners
Spoons and spinners may not directly imitate any specific kind of fish or forage, however, the vibrations and motions they produce are often effective in triggering a response in trout and getting them to bite.
Keep in mind that the size and shape of the lure will produce a different vibration wavelength, so it’s better to experiment with different models.
When it comes to colors, metallic colors often perform well with trout, but sometimes it’s better to go with more natural colors like olive or brown.
Trolling Tackle
Trolling is one of the most efficient and effective techniques for trout fishing as it helps cover more water.
Many types of lures can be utilized for trolling such as Flatfish, Kwikfish, and Hot Shots.
These lures resemble crankbaits because their design allows them to dive under tension. They are also lightweight which makes them is more geared toward trolling.
Crankbaits and Hard Plastics
The movement created by the lip of a crankbait lure can be so effective in getting trout to bit whether you’re trolling or casting and retrieving.
These lures can help to mimic baitfish or forage within a specific waterbody, like smaller trout, crayfish, or shiners.
Soft Plastics, Swimbaits, and Jigs
In areas with steep, rocky banks tube baits, plastic worms, curly-tail jigs, swimbaits are ideal for trout fishing as they’re good for probing along and imitating forage like leeches or crayfish. You can learn about Swimbaits in this swimbaits vs jerkbait comparison.
What Is the Best Rod and Reel for Trout Fishing?
The best rod for trout fishing would be a medium power fast action rod that’s about 6-7 feet in length. It’s better to go for a light rod to increase casting accuracy. When it comes to reels, it’s best to go for a spinning reel with a good drag ratio.
Here are my recommendations for the best rods for trout fishing.
What Kind of Line Do do You Need for Trout Fishing?
The kind of line you need for trout fishing would be a monofilament line with a 6-10-pound test or a heavier braided line with a 4 to 6-pound line test. It’s also best to include a fluorocarbon leader to avoid having the trout bite through your mainline. You can check the best trout fishing lines here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Colors Matter When It Comes to Trout Fishing Lures?
Yes, colors do matter when it comes to trout fishing because trout are known to have excellent vision. Brightly colored lures work best in clear waters. Copper and brass colors work better in slightly murky waters. While flashing colors can effectively lure in trout in dark waters.
Does Trout Taste Good?
Trout generally taste good because it lives in clean water and feeds on the surface which makes its meat taste a lot fresher. It might be harder to clean and cook because it has a lot of bones in its body, however, there are all kinds of recipes online that would help you prepare a good meal out of trout.
Do You Need a License to Fish for Trout?
Yes, in most areas, you need to buy a license for trout fishing. These licenses are available for periods of time starting from a day and go up to a whole year. Some states might offer free or reduced-price licenses for children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. Make sure to check the licensing requirements and other regulations in your state
Check out my full guide to fishing licenses here. I explain prices, regulations, and how & where to get your licenses in every state, so definitely check it out before you go fishing.
Are Trout Fish Healthy?
Yes, trout fish are healthy. They have many benefits such as being low in calories and high in protein. They are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin), vitamin D, phosphorus, and iron. They are also a good dietary source of iodine.
What Is the Best Trout Fishing Technique?
The best trout fishing technique is fly fishing. This technique requires a setup that includes a fly rod, fly reel and fly line. You can purchase a fly fishing combo kit that includes fly rods, reels, lines, and flies. These kits would be ideal for beginners to get them started with trout fly fishing.
