If you’re like me you enjoy fishing with a lure much more than just casting bait out and waiting for a bite.
To learn what bait to use check out my article on bait fishing the Salt River for trout or my article on fly fishing for trout on the Salt River.
Using a lure makes you feel more proactive and isn’t boring.
I’ve been fishing the Lower Salt River since I was a kid and I’ve picked up a few tips and techniques over the year.
First is what lure to use. I have found for trout that rooster tails by far work the best.
Small spinners and spoons work well also as do small lures that look like bait fish.
Typically I’ll just use a rooster tail, because I have found them to work the best.
First you’ll want to match your rooster tail (or any lure) to the conditions that day.
Remember bright sky bright lure, dark sky dark lure. clear water flashy lure, dark murky water noisy lure.
Also take into consideration what bait fish are swimming around and try and match them to your lure as well.
I’ll typically use a rooster tail that looks like a tiny trout or largemouth bass.
If I’m in a slow moving pool I’ll start by dragging a rooster tail straight down the middle. then methodically cast to one side and then the other to cover all the water.
Once I’ve covered the center i’ll start looking for more structure to try and pull them out of.
Trout like to hide behind rocks so that they can rest. I like to cast just up river of these and pull the lure back over them.
It’s important to go with the waterflow, because trout are usually facing upriver and they’ll be able to see a lure coming at them from upriver.
If you try and pull your lures against the water upriver all day you simply won’t catch anything.
They’re similar to bass where they’ll hang out along the banks as well under cover or in slow pools off to the side so I be on the look out for small pools.
The trout also love to hide behind the bridge pylons at the pebble beach area. If it’s not too crowded that can be a great section of the river.
Presentation of your lure is important with trout. My set up is a light spinning rod with braided line tied to a swivel tied to a really light fluorcarbon leader that the fish can’t see.
Braided line allows you to easily feel strikes since it doesn’t stretch while the fluorocarbon leader isn’t visible to the fish.
Good luck and have fun on the river. Remember to be polite and share the river and pick up after yourself.
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The Rocky Outdoorsman 