Best Trout Bait - Top 5 Irresistible Trout Baits You Need to Try Today!

By: Nolan Pyle

July 31, 2024

Trout are an incredible species of fish. Beautiful, strong fighters, and a sometimes very challenging adversary to attempt to catch. Although artificial trout lures can work very well for all trout species, some of the best trout baits are live or are fished like live bait. In this article, we’ll showcase some of the top trout baits available and talk about why you need to give all of them a shot on your next trout fishing outing.

Trout are an incredible species of fish. Beautiful, strong fighters, and a sometimes very challenging adversary to attempt to catch. Although artificial trout lures can work very well for all trout species, some of the best trout baits are live or are fished like live bait. In this article, we’ll showcase some of the top trout baits available and talk about why you need to give all of them a shot on your next trout fishing outing.

Table of Contents

  • Best Trout Bait
  • Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough
  • Salmon and Trout Eggs
  • Berkley PowerBait Glitter Trout Bait
  • Live Grubs
  • Emerald Shiners
  • Final Thoughts

Best Trout Bait

Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough

Available in every color of the rainbow and then some, Berkley PowerBait Floating Trout Dough is undoubtedly one of the best baits for trout. It’s heavily scented to attract trout from long distances and it’s buoyant so it can be floated off the bottom right in the strike zone. PowerBait is most effective when molded into a ball around a size 6 to 10 live bait hook depending on the amount of dough used.

Salmon and Trout Eggs

During the spawn, trout and salmon release their eggs over shallow, gravelly areas in strong current. Some eggs may not catch on the bottom as soon as they’re released and end up drifting downstream, becoming an easy meal for a lucky trout. These eggs are a super healthy protein filled snack, so when presented correctly salmon and trout eggs are a top fishing bait for trout. There are many ways to fish salmon and trout eggs, and each method works well in a certain place and time. The eggs can be “cured” in such a way to allow them to be put on a tiny size 10-16 hook without them popping. This presentation works well in low and clear water for trout that are spooked easily. The eggs can also be tied into a mesh netting so the hook does not need to be put into the egg itself. “Skein” is the term used to describe eggs that are still attached to the membrane and can be fished by using a unique knot involving a loop to hold the eggs onto the hook. These two methods typically work better in higher or more stained water. There are many cures and dyes available by companies such as Pautzke to change the scent, texture, and color of eggs to make them more favorable for fishing.

Berkley PowerBait Glitter Trout Bait

The Berkley PowerBait Glitter Trout Bait features a floating, biodegradable formula that enhances dispersion of scent and flavor. The glitter catches and reflects light only adding to the visibility of these eye catching colors, triggering more strikes. It is pliable and very easy to mold into larva or egg shapes. This bait allows you to float your hook just above the bottom, driving the trout in the area to take a huge bite!

Live Grubs

Grubs, maggots, spikes, whatever you call them in your part of the world, one thing stays the same and that’s that they’re a top trout bait. Grubs are commonly used to tip on a lure such as a hair jig, but can also be fished on a tiny size 10-14 live bait hook. Don’t be afraid to load a liberal amount of them onto that hook or jig.

Emerald Shiners

Not all minnows are created equal in a trout’s eyes. Of course a trout will eat any species of minnow, but there’s something about an emerald shiner that they just can’t resist, making them a top trout bait. Scent is likely a large component in a trout’s choice to eat an emerald shiner over another species of minnow, but color and the emerald’s soft body structure may also play a key role. Shiners are typically most effective fished under a float on a small single hook or a hair jig.

Final Thoughts

Trout fishing is a blast, but it can certainly be tricky. However, some of the best trout baits are rather simple. We hope that the baits we covered in this article help lead you to more success on the water!

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