Zielfisch Trout fishing with these tips and tricks
Trout fishing is an art in itself. If you want to catch trout successfully, you need not only patience and skill but also the right equipment. The choice of rod, reel, and bait often determines success or failure on the water. But there are many other things you need to consider when trout fishing. In this guide, you'll learn how to optimize your setup, which rigs really catch fish, and which trout baits are unbeatable for your fishing success.
The right equipment for trout fishing
Choosing a rod for trout
Choosing the right fishing rod is incredibly important for trout fishing. Since trout often bite cautiously, a sensitive yet flexible rod is probably the best choice. You should consider the following criteria when buying your next trout rod:
- Length: Between 2.10 m and 3.00 m
- Casting weight approx. between 2 g and 15 g, optimal for soft baits for trout, wobblers, and spinners.
- Tip action or semi-parabolic action to feel even the slightest bites and set the hook effectively.
Tip: If you don't have a suitable trout rod yet, check out our current customer favorite and trout rod test winner, the Trout Go Kit 2 in our range!
Line and reel for trout
The right combination of line and reel makes a big difference when trout fishing. Monofilament lines with a 0.16–0.22 mm diameter are perfect for float fishing, as they stretch easily and cushion bites gently. This gives you more control and prevents the trout from throwing the hook. If you prefer active fishing and use soft baits for trout, a braided line (0.08–0.12 mm) is the better choice. It transmits every movement directly to the rod, so you can feel even cautious bites immediately.
The reel should also match the technique. Models in sizes 1000 to 2500 are ideal. They are small, lightweight, yet powerful. A finely adjustable front drag is incredibly important for your trout rod to cushion runs without the line breaking. The reel should also not be too heavy, so it forms a good balance with your rod and keeps fishing comfortable all day long.
Other equipment
Besides rod and reel, there are some must-haves you should always have with you when trout fishing:
- Landing net with fine mesh to land fish gently
- Barbless trout hooks if you want to release fish
- Float and weights when fishing with natural baits
- Tackle box or bag for safe storage of your gear
Extra tip: If you want to add to your equipment, you can now buy the best trout rod or our JAEGER hip bag as a top addition—our guide will help you choose!
The best baits for trout
Trout can be picky—what works today may be ignored tomorrow. If you want to be successful, you should try different natural and artificial baits and adapt to the conditions of the water.
Maggots – Simple but unbeatable
Maggots are one of the most reliable baits for trout float fishing. They are lively, small, and natural—exactly what trout often go for. Single maggots are ideal for cautious fish, while several maggots on a hook attract more attention. Especially in trout lakes or calm waters, this bait is unbeatable. A good alternative is to combine them with a piece of worm to increase the attraction.
Soft baits – Mobile and versatile
Soft plastic fish and twisters are ideal when trout are actively hunting. They can be retrieved in different ways: slowly, with short stops, or with jerky movements. Especially in flowing waters or deep lakes, they are a good choice. In terms of color, natural tones like brown and green often work better in clear water, while pink, white, or UV-active colors are more noticeable in murky conditions.
Wobblers and spinners – When trout are on the hunt
Larger trout love to hunt small fish—and that's exactly what wobblers imitate. Sinking models are especially suitable for deeper waters, while floating wobblers run just below the surface. Spinners are a good choice in clear lakes or rivers as they attract attention with light reflections. The best technique: steady retrieve with occasional spin stops to mimic the movement of an injured fish.
What catches trout best?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Trout react differently depending on the season and water. On warm days, soft baits and wobblers are often more successful, while in cold months maggots or spinners work better. The key is to stay flexible and try different baits to find out what works best at the moment. Good to know: At JAEGER, we offer a catch guarantee on all our products. See for yourself and discover our trout baits!
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Trout fishing – the best season
Trout are active all year round, but their behavior changes with the seasons. Depending on temperature, food supply, and water level, their biting activity varies. If you're in the right place at the right time and adapt your technique, you'll have the best chances of success.
Trout fishing in spring
After the cold winter months, trout become more active again. The water warms up slowly, and the fish leave their deep retreats. Now, small wobblers, spinners, and soft baits are especially effective. On sunny days, you often see trout hunting near the surface—this is when floating baits are worth using.
Trout fishing in summer
In summer, fishing can be challenging because trout are more sluggish at high temperatures. During the day, they often retreat to deeper, cooler areas, while they are more active in the mornings and evenings. Maggots, pieces of worm, or floating baits on the float work particularly well then. If you're fishing with artificial baits in summer, you should use deeper-running models or try small, fast-retrieved wobblers.
Trout fishing in autumn
Autumn is one of the best times for trout fishing. Water temperatures drop, and trout become really active again to build up reserves for winter. Especially in flowing waters, they are often in hunting mode now. Soft plastic fish, twisters, and spinners are ideal for luring hungry trout out of hiding. Also, fishing with worm for trout in the river is now a promising method.
Trout fishing in winter
In winter, trout are much calmer and bite less often. They usually stay deep and move little, so slow presentations are needed. Trout float fishing with maggots or a slowly retrieved spinner are often the best methods.
Table: Trout closed seasons in Germany
Overview of trout closed seasons in Germany
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Customer reviews
Southman CH (Lucerne, CH) – 4 weeks ago
"Top product, fast processing and cool guys from JAEGER. Always happy to order again! 👍🏼☀️🍀"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jens DE (Munich, DE) – 2 months ago
"Seven perch and a pike – and that on my first fishing day! The Trout Kit with Carolina Rig really delivered."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lias G. DE (Bersenbrück, DE) – 3 months ago
"Perfect combo! Saves me a lot of time at the water, especially in the cold. One clinch knot and off you go!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Adriana B. CH (Hildisrieden, CH) – 4 weeks ago
"Catches great – a real weapon! 🎣🔥"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Andrin H. CH (Zurich, CH) – 2 months ago
"Caught 2–3 trout right away at Lake Lungern – it's working!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FAQ
How can you best catch trout?
That depends on the season and the water. In calm lakes, trout float fishing with maggots works especially well, while in rivers soft plastic fish, wobblers, or spinners are the better choice. It's important to match the bait to the trout's activity: slow bait presentation in cold water, fast movements when trout are actively hunting.
What is the best bait for trout?
Natural baits like maggots, worms, and dough have been proven for decades. When spinning, soft baits for trout, wobblers, and spinners often bring more success, especially in clear waters. In terms of color, natural tones like brown or green are worthwhile, but also UV-active colors like pink or white for murky water.
How do you catch trout when they aren't biting?
If trout aren't actively feeding, it often helps to present the bait more slowly or try a different technique. Instead of spinning lures, it may be worth switching to a float with maggots or a floating bait on the bottom. Changing between different bait colors can also trigger the decisive bite.
What is the best rig for trout?
That depends on the fishing method. The float rig with maggots is ideal for still waters, while for spinning, an ultralight rod with soft bait or wobbler is most effective. If you're fishing in a river, a bottom rig with floating dough can be successful.