(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best fishing lures, baits & attractants

Disclaimer: I'm not the best trout fisherman in Colorado. Here are a few techniques and lures/bait that I like to go to.

For bait, your safe bet would be a bright color powerbait; I have good luck with the yellow, or the rainbow. Here's a good write up for rigging bait.

When I'm tossing lures, I'll throw on a smaller snap-swivel. It makes changing lures much faster, and allows the lure to keep the action it was designed for. Panther Martins in white, black and rainbow. Kastmaster in silver, gold, and silver/blue. Rooster Tails also work pretty well.

If they are hitting top water, and assuming you don't have a fly rod, a bubble and fly is a fun way to catch trout. This guy has a great video on the tackle and technique. Which fliesshould work best at which time of year.

Hope that helps get you started.

A good all around setup for average to large pike (not monsters but you can definitely still land them) is a 7 foot medium to medium heavy rod with braided line. Don't forget the steel leaders! They are a must have if you are targeting Pike. I personally use 30lb Suffix 832 braided line because I like to get good casting distance with medium sized lures. I love fishing lipless crainkbaits for pike and Storm wildeye lures, I have caught hundreds of pike on the Storm Wildeye sunfish. I cut off one of the hooks (the top one) because with both of them it's extremely hard to unhook a pike that takes the lure far down. Your gonna need a pretty big net too and master the handling of them, here is a great video on handling Pike correctly (takes some practice!). One of my favorite tools to unhook deep lures is this tool, that isn't the brand I have but it's the same style tool. Hope this helped a bit!

Edit: maybe he said leader not spinner? If your line breaks while fighting a pike it is probably because you weren't using a steel leader. Even small ones can cut pretty thick line.

Yeah, I posted this in /r/bassfishing without any luck. Those were all caught on this pretty cheap Abu Garcia/Cabela's rod/reel combo. They spooled it with what I think was 12lb test but I did not see the brand. I thought I had caught all of those on 4" Senkos but I'm pretty sure I see what's very likely a 5-1/4" Zoom Baby Brush Hog, a personal favorite of mine. I fish creature bait t-rigged, usually with like an 1/8 or 1/4 ounce bullet weight because I like to put a little more action on those than Senkos. I'm really fond of soft bait, probably because I'm really comfortable and used to fishing with them, although I do fish jigs, spinner baits, and cranks on occasion. I am by no means an expert but have been bass fishing with a healthy bit of success for a long time. Mostly because of my location I'd have to say. I will go out tomorrow afternoon to about sundown and should have some pictures of at least a few 2-3lb bass that I could try and post again in /r/bassfishing . Let me know if you have more questions.

Texas or wacky rig, 5" or 6" watermelon black red flake or just black senko with 3/0 hooks is great for bass. Texas rig is great for weeds/reeds, wacky is great for if they are really biting well so you can hook them easy. Depending on what/where you're fishing size of senko or hook varies.

I fish for large/smallmouth bass mostly (I'm from MN) This setup is the go-to for all of my friends - largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, pike and even Muskie. Friend who throws for musky always uses these as his first bait; albeit larger senko and hook.

I use braided line 5-10 lb test usually green. Keep colors simple. Presentation is key. Time of day is HUGE fish dusk/dawn or night. For me colors like brown/green/black/grey have always worked best. Imo you don't need to overcomplicate it with fancy baits and colors - I've thrown almost everything.

Google wacky/Texas rig senko - should find videos on this setup. Really a simple and very effective way of slaying slobs.


Hooks

[Senko](Yamamoto Senko 5" , Watermelon Black w/ red / light watermelon w/ black & red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z86HVI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ih-kybSVCE7D7)

Hey friend, so the flies I have are below. I'm really new into fly fishing, but I've fished lakes my entire life. I got these as a gift and they look like there are some good flies in there I think. I think what I might try and end up doing is using a wet fly since those are easier to fish with? But honestly I really, really appreciate the advice. I'm super busy and unfortunately don't get out often, not to mention I'm not even remotely from the area, so it's nice to have a direction to enjoy some fly fishing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BMYG0E/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1484270462&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=fly+fishing+flies&dpPl=1&dpID=51CZuKxDZ6L&ref=plSrch

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=backpack+rod+and+reel+combo&sprefix=backpack+rod+and+re&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_19
Something like that would be good. The fish you catch in those lakes can be quite a bit bigger than a normal stocker trout. I would take a 10 lb test line or more. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=10+lb+test+fishing+line&sprefix=10+lb+te&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8.
As for tackle I would be prepared for both bait fishing and lures. For bait I would use night crawlers (Wal Mart or any sporting goods store in Salida or Alamosa will have them) or grasshoppers if you can find any up there. Salmon eggs are always in my tackle box also. As for lures my go to lures are KastMasters (https://www.amazon.com/Acme-Kastmaster-Teaser-Chrome-4-Ounce/dp/B00144CXTC/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=kastmaster%2Blures&qid=1564965219&s=gateway&sprefix=Kastma&sr=8-4&th=1&psc=1) variety of colors and sizes, blue and chrome and chrome being tops and Panther Martins (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=panther+martin+trout+spinners&sprefix=panther&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_7). Blue Fox also makes popular spinners for trout. I would recommend everyone getting a couple of the lures I mentioned above for everyone and then having everyone get a few different ones to try out. It’s kind of a guessing game as to what the fish will like on any day.
You will have the best luck during the early morning hours and again at dusk. For bait fishing you will want to get the bait near the bottom. I use a sort of “bottom shot” rig with an egg sinker under two hooks. I tie one hook about 6 inches above the weight and another about 2-3 ft above the weight. Cast it out and let it sit. For lures you will want to retrieve the lure slowly. People use several different retrieval methods, but basically you want to try and make your lure look like an injured bait fish. YouTube should be very helpful for both learning how to tie on your lure and also how to fish them. Good luck. It’s beautiful up there. Hit me up if you have more questions

I've been more successful with it going the opposite against my grain for LMB - lighter gear, simple. It's a finesse technique so it makes sense, but it's just not how I think we're wired for LMB typically.

Pick up the Zman Shroomz jigheads. Go with the 1/20th, literally the lightest one. Pair it up with the Zman TRDs - again, they're small and light and practically indestructible. Put all that on like 4-8lb test on a light spinning rod. I use 6lb test on a medium light 6 foot spinning rod, which makes nearly any fish you catch a fun fight. Now you're geared up.

I've done this pond fishing for LMB, and river fishing for SMB - it's great for both, but technique is different.

For ponds, cast it out, let it fall. It's very similar to wacky worm fishing, really. Fall, wait, pop and let it fall again. Repeat. Watch the line like a hawk. With light gear you don't want to set the hook hard - it's a small wire hook, it's going to go in pretty easily. This was the hardest thing for me to learn. All you have to do is raise or sweep the rod tip a bit faster than usual, and the hook will set.

I'm still working on the rivers part. But with light tackle it will just drift in the current, and smallies pick them up, often without you even feeling a strike. My buddy has just anchored in one spot below a riffle and just caught fish after fish this way. If the current is slower, you can do the same as the pond technique above. You could consider slightly heavier heads in faster current to get your rig down, but the heavier it gets the more chance of getting hung in the rocks where I fish, so you have to find the right balance. At this point I only carry the 1/20th and 1/10 heads with me.

I've caught LMB, SMB, big bluegill, falls fish - just about anything will hit a Ned. And it seems to work well even on colder, slower days when they're not hitting larger more active baits. It's quickly becoming a go-to technique for me.

I'd recommend picking up some of these if you get a chance as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Jensen-Krocodile-SureSet-Rainbow-4-Ounce/dp/B003CTRSME/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1369281850&sr=1-4&keywords=krocodile+spoon

They cast really far and they have a nice wobbling action in the water. I've had a lot of luck with this lure in the the rainbow trout color.

The other thing I would keep in mind is to make sure you have a few silver lures and a few gold ones. Some days it seems like fish will only hit one or the other, usually gold on overcast days and silver on sunny days from my experience.

I would also save a little bit of your budget in case you discover you need something when you get there. Scouting the banks of the river for packaging left over from other fishermen is also a good way to find out what the locals use. If you're not having any luck head to the nearest town and buy whatever lure that the packaging is from.

Whenever I'm fishing a new spot I'll always use some cheap lures first to figure out where the bottom is and where the underwater obstacles are. Once you have it figured out you can switch to your $10 Rapalas so you wont lose any of them.

I just checked out that lake on Google maps and I would recommend fishing the North end of the lake where Cherry Creek runs into it. The trout will usually hole up at the bottom and eat whatever happens to get carried downstream from the river. If you look on the satellite view there appears to be a waterfall or a white run that empties into a pool a short way up from the lake, that pool will probably be a good spot as well.

Fish almost always face upstream as that's the direction the food is coming from, so whenever possible cast upstream. This accomplishes two things, the fish will be less likely to be spooked as they will be facing away from you and secondly your bait or lure will have a more natural appearance. Casting up and across and swinging it downstream is a good way to cover a lot of water .

Keep in mind that the fish will usually not be in the strong currents either. They like to sit off to the sides or just past where the current calms down. That way they don't have to fight the current and can pick off the food. That stream is a good place for your worm and bobber, cast upstream and just reel in the slack as the worm floats naturally towards you.

I could go on all day but if you have any questions feel free to ask.

thanks for your input. i've added the line you recommended and removed the sebile swimbait as well as the truscend.

one setup will be for bass and one for pike. i've upgraded the pike setup to support up to 1oz lures as it's getting too pricey with everything adding up to go any bigger. does this look ok for that?

Abu Garcia 1430485 Veritas Casting 1Piece Rod, 6'10" Length, 12-20 lb Line Rate 1/4-1 oz Lure Rate, Medium/Heavy Power

Abu Garcia Pmax3-c

Also I was looking at the swimbait you recommended and I see they're going to be heavier than what I'll be able to handle. Any other recommendations 1oz or under? Are these good?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CTU2Y0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CTO2L4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_27?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

These are what I have for lures picked out so far. Any input greatly appreciated

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001445MZE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001J9SU30/ref=ox_sc_act_title_11?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FKJTP4/ref=ox_sc_act_title_15?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CURA7Q/ref=ox_sc_act_title_21?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GU6MRF8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HJ4DN4O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1


This would be for bass I guess? Would like to get some smaller swimbait for bass as well, something that would work for pike and bass could be nice I suppose.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OSZ0TY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_12?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1


Here is a compiled picture if it helps. https://i.imgur.com/a6PEjID.jpg

From the shore, I've caught redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, puffers (don't eat these), and catfish mostly. People claim that the river is too dirty to eat from, but I've never had an issue, everything I've brought home has been very tasty.

Be careful with the cats, they've got truly nasty dorsal (top of the back) and pectoral (side) spines that can easily stab through a shoe if you're in the habit of stepping on them to get the hook out. I had one pierce a sneaker that way, though it missed my foot - thankfully, as I've also heard they have a mild venom.

Don't stick your thumb in a fish's mouth to pick it up. Leave that for freshwater fishing. Pretty much everything you pull out of the river has big teeth, and will cut your thumb to shreds. Get yourself a fish grip, pretty much anywhere that sells tackle.

Shrimp are native in the river, so live and dead shrimp work well as bait. I've even used pre-cooked shrimp from the grocery store with success. Sometimes you can find little crabs under piers, these make excellent bait as well. Barnacles work really well on sheepshead, if you can get scrape them off a pylon or something similar. If you're into lures, the Bone White Spook Jr has been my best performer by far.

I have a $40 Walmart rod/reel combo. It's not my primary setup, but works just fine. I've even used it at the beach, but not for anything too big. Put some decent line on the reel, and you'll be fine.

If you ever decide to get off the shore, consider using a kayak. Less expense and headache than a boat, and in my opinion, just as much fun.

My personal favorite lures for pike fishing are:

Xrap10 in clown or silver

A larger size mepps. 4 or 5 will work perfectly, But I have the best luck with a bright yellow

Johnson silver/ gold weedless spoon with a chartreuse curly tail grub trailer

My absolute favorite pike lure is a Blade dancer, with a paddletail minnow trailer. You can fish it so many different ways to really figure out how to draw out a strike

I know I'll catch pike if I throw these guys out. But spinner baits, buzzbaits, and weedless frogs all work as well.

You can use a spinning rod, or baitcaster spooled with braided line. I prefer my baitcaster since the lures are usually heavy and I can launch them a mile. Always use a leader.

Get yourself some o-rings for those senkos. My lady and I landed over a hundred smallmouth in two days this spring and didn't even use a whole pack of senkos. The best fishing investment I've ever made.

http://amzn.com/B00KQ19X7E or http://amzn.com/B00EEABFQA

https://www.amazon.com/Wacky-Rings-Rings-Rigging-orings/dp/B00EEABFQA Try these if you are wacky rigging senkos and it will help them last longer. If you are losing them on Texas rigs, I'm not sure what can be done to help.