Trout is one of (if not the) best fish to catch because of its many great traits. It is both good as a food and for sports. It abounds in many bodies of freshwater like lakes, rivers and streams. It is available almost year-round, and it’s not that hard to catch. All you need is a good angler kit and a bait. But what is the best bait for trout and where can you get it?
If you are a rookie angler or a casual hobbyist who fish for food and fun, you don’t have to spend a fortune on fishing gears especially baits. You can make a trout bait from scratch using simple materials. For this guide, we will list down the best bait for trout, how to make it and where to buy it.
| PRODUCT NAME | PRODUCT IMAGE | WHERE TO BUY |
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Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Worm |
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Nightcrawlers |
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Pautzke Bait Balls O’Fire Salmon Eggs |
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Minnows |
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PowerBait Biodegradable Trout Fishing Bait |
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Whole Kernel Corn |
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Mini Marshmallows |
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Product FAQ
Before we list down the best bait for trout, here are answers to some questions you might have.
1. What Is a Trout?
A trout is a freshwater fish that belongs to the subfamily Salmoninae, which makes it a close relative of the salmon and charr. Almost all species of trout live in cold, fresh bodies of water like lakes and streams (the specie called “steelhead” can spend two years at sea before returning to freshwater to spawn).
Like salmons, trout have been an important food source for humans, bears, and other animals. Nowadays, they’re also fished as a sport. Among the most popular species of trout are rainbow trout, silver trout, and brown river trout.
2. What Is Trout Used For?
Throughout history, trout have been an important food source for humans, especially in the Northern hemisphere (North America, Europe, North Asia) where the climate is temperate conducive and the water is cool. Trout is usually caught from the wild, but some trout are farm-raised.
3. How Is a Trout Caught?
A trout can be caught using a net, but rod fishing is the most efficient way. Fly-fishing is the most popular rod fishing, but using normal rods works just fine for beginners. This is why the choice of bait is important. A trout is not a deep dweller, so having light baits will work better.
Fishing for trout takes a bit of skill in “reading” the waters for riffles (fast, shallow water), runs (fast, deep water), and pools (deep, still water). Adult trout often dwell in runs while shallow pools may hold a young trout.
4. What Baits Are the Best Bait for Trout?
Almost any kind of bait can be used, but among the most popular ones are critters, swimmers, tubes, and spinners.
5. Where Can You Buy Bait for Trout?
Baits are commercially available in fishing supplies store and outdoor gear stores offline and online. But you can create your DIY bait if you are feeling resourceful (or financially strapped).
How We Reviewed
The 7 best bait for trout in our list were chosen based on the following criteria: Features, Pros and Cons, Price and Availability, and Effectiveness.
Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)
The items on our list cost between $1 and $200.
What We Reviewed
Here is the rundown of the best bait for trout that we reviewed.
- Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Worm
- Nightcrawlers
- Pautzke Bait Balls O’Fire Salmon Eggs
- Minnows
- PowerBait Biodegradable Trout Fishing Bait
- Whole Kernel Corn
- Mini Marshmallows
Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Worm
Features
Oh, the classic worm bait. Fis like trout cannot resist the squiggly movements and taste of worms. For trout, a worm is a tasty treat that also provides a bit of entertainment because of its squiggly movements.
The Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Worm is especially made for trout. Made by a brand trusted in the industry, this worm bait simulates a long and squiggly worm. It has almost lifelike movements that will attract any trout in the area. Best of all, it is infused with scent and flavor, which will make the trout hold on longer after biting.
- PRICE
- Effectiveness
- Where to Buy
Amazon sells a pack for as low as $2.
Worms are natural prey for trout. They like the texture, scent, and taste of worms. Worm baits are effective when used in still pools, but not so much in runs and riffles.
What We Like
- Lifelike worm movements
- Scent and taste-infused
- Jelly texture feels like a real worm
- Available in many colors (brown, pink, yellow, etc)
- Non-toxic
- Cheap
What We Didn’t Like
- Can be a choking hazard
- Worm baits take a bit of patience and skill to lure trout properly
- Needs to be hooked properly or it will detach easily
Nightcrawlers
Features
Speaking of worm baits, nothing beats the real thing – that squiggly, creepy, crawly earthworm. A live worm is the best bait for trout, and any trout will agree.
Brands, like Uncle Jim’s, sell farmed earthworms for gardening and fishing purposes. Dubbed the nightcrawlers, these worms are a species of Giant Redworm. They can grow from 3 to 8 inches long. These worms can survive brackish and cold waters. These worms can even survive the icy temperatures of the Great Lakes!
These worms – being the worms that they are – don’t need too much maintenance. Just leave them in their sack of soil, and they will mind their own business. They can live in their worm “cups” for as long as 3 weeks. For fishing, it is advised to bring a small pail that contains 10-20 worms.
- PRICE
- Effectiveness
- Where to Buy
A bag can contain about 450 worms per pound, which sells for around $42 from Amazon.
As mentioned, a live worm is the best bait for trout because, well, it is real and alive. But, it takes skill and patience to lure a trout, especially in moving waters.
What We Like
- Real, live worms
- Delicious and nutritious
- Can be used in cold waters
- Low maintenance
- Can be used in night fishing
- Can be used for composting and gardening
- Can be used as feeds for other pets
- Eco-friendly
What We Didn’t Like
- Dirty to use
- Live worms tend to crawl away from their bait cups
- Newbies may find it disgusting
Pautzke Bait Balls O’Fire Salmon Eggs
Features
In case you didn’t know, fish like trout are cannibalistic in a sense, as they eat fish eggs. They are notorious bottom raiders who scavenge other fish’s nests to devour their eggs. This is why a generous amount of roe on a hook will look like fish egg buffet to them.
Pautzke Bait Balls are made with real salmon eggs prepared and jarred carefully for fishing. Its bright crimson color will surely attract even the laziest of trout. These eggs are also big enough to be skewered together using a line or hook.
- PRICE
- Effectiveness
- Where to Buy
A 1-ounce jar can cost around $4 from Amazon.
Salmon roe is the best bait for trout if used properly. It takes skill to thread a couple of eggs on a fishing line or hook. Also, salmon egg baits are hard to use in fast moving waters, but they work wonders in still pools and shallow streams.
What We Like
- Real salmon eggs
- Affordable and readily available
- Eco-friendly
- Needs no special maintenance
What We Didn’t Like
- Can detach when not attached properly
- Hard to use in moving waters
- Can spoil easily
- Messy to use
Minnows
Features
If you’re a total newbie to fishing, here’s a fact: fish eat other fish. A trout is an omnivorous fish that feeds on other smaller fish like minnows, which is why minnows are often considered the best bait for trout.
Minnows offer many advantages as a trout bait. One, they are real and alive, which makes them all the more enticing for trout. Two, they can be acquired easily from sustainable sources like fish farms. Three, they swim with the water current, so they don’t flail helplessly like other non-fish baits. And last, they can be kept for a long time in fish tanks. Brands, like Toledo, sell farm-raised minnows to be used as fish bait and feed for aquarium fish.
- PRICE
- Effectiveness
- Where to Buy
A package containing 25 minnows costs around $30, while a package of 1000 minnows fetches for around $200.
A live fish, like a minnow, is the best bait for trout because no trout can resist a small fry swimming within its reach. Minnows are effective in both still and moving waters, cold, or warm waters. They are also active at night, which helps during dusk or night fishing.
What We Like
- Real and live fish
- Moves with the current
- Can be stored for a long time
- Requires little maintenance
- Attracts trout effectively than dead/artificial baits
- Can be used in runs, riffles and fast-moving waters
What We Didn’t Like
- Smelly and messy to use
- Hard to put on a hook without killing it
- Relatively more expensive than artificial baits
PowerBait Biodegradable Trout Fishing Bait
Features
Trout have a keen sense of sight and smell. They can see prey waddling above the surface and smell them when they’re in the water. This is why the development of scented artificial bait, called PowerBait, made trout fishing popular. Trout cannot resist the smell and taste of these dough-like baits.
PowerBait is made of a plastic polymer mixed with resin-based substances. It is often oil-based or water-based. What makes PowerBait effective is that the artificial scents are trapped within these compounds, making them effective even when soaked for a long time.
Berkley is the most trusted brand in fishing. The brand invented and popularized the use of PowerBais, making fishing a widespread sport. Berkley PowerBait is 100% biodegradable and non-toxic.
- PRICE
- Effectiveness
- Where to Buy
A 1.75-ounce jar costs around $3 in Amazon.
PowerBaits are designed primarily for trout fishing, making it the best bait for trout. It can be used in any weather and water condition. It is very easy and effective, which makes it ideal for beginner anglers.
What We Like
- Effective in any weather, water temperature, and water current
- Made especially for trout fishing
- Soft and moldable
- Comes in several colors
- Easy to use
- Trout love the smell of it
- 100% biodegradable
- No toxic residue
What We Didn’t Like
- Not so effective in catching other fish
- Can be a choking hazard to kids
- Can detach easily when not attached properly
Whole Kernel Corn
Features
Sometimes, all you need is some food from the fridge to catch those tasty trout. This is true about whole kernel corn, which is proven to be irresistible for trout and other fish. The bright yellow color can attract any trout within the area.
- PRICE
- Effectiveness
- Where to Buy
You can get a can of whole kernel corn from any grocery store for about $1.
A can of whole kernel corn (or even leftovers) can make good baits if you are strapped for resources. But these are not really effective to use in streams and other moving waters,
What We Like
- Readily available
- Easy to store
- Easy to use
- Trout love the smell and taste of it
What We Didn’t Like
- Can get detached easily
- Hard to use in fast-moving waters
- Spoils easily
Mini Marshmallows
Features
Who said trout don’t like mini marshmallows? These chewy sweets can be a good alternative for PowerBait because they have the same texture and consistency. A pack of mallows from the grocery is enough for a weekend fishing.
- PRICE
- Effectiveness
- Where to Buy
A pack costs around a dollar or two from Amazon or any supermarket.
Mini marshmallows work, but only as last resort if you really are strapped for bait.
What We Like
- Readily available
- Feels and looks like PowerBait
- Easy to use
- Does not spoil easily
What We Didn’t Like
- Can get soggy in the water
- Dissolves easily
- Not ideal for fast-moving waters
- Too sweet-tasting for trout
The Verdict
There you have it, our list of best bait for trout. We highly recommend the live baits (worms and minnows) and the PowerBait. But, if you want to use some stuff from the fridge, then a can of corn kernels or mini marshmallows will do just fine.
Happy fishing!