Trout are powerful fighters. Some, like the brown trout, stay deep and use the power of the river current to fight against you. Others, like the rainbow trout are known to jump out of the water during a fight to shake the hook from their mouth.
However, one thing all trout have in common, is that they are line shy. Often, if a trout sees your fishing line, they will be hesitant to bite. Using a light, low visibility line is a very important key to catching more trout.
Quick Look
- 2-4 lb. Test
- Best: Fluorocarbon
- Good: Monofilament
- OK: Braid
- Leader: Fluorocarbon
Why Fluoro?
Fluorocarbon fishing line is almost twice as expensive as mono, but if you’re serious about catching more fish, it is worth the price. The reason is simply because fish can’t see it as easily.
Fluoro doesn’t reflect light like mono does. This makes it almost invisible underwater. However it’s not completely invisible so I still recommend using light 2 to 4 pound test for most trout fishing.
What lb. Test?
For almost all trout fishing, I recommend using 4 lb. test line. There are situations where 2 lb. test will do better, but that is only in very high pressure situations, when the trout are being extra cautious.
With 4 lb. test fishing line you should be able to land any trout under 18 inches. And if you are fishing a lake in open water you can net trout well over 20 inches.
The only reason I would consider going over 4 lb. test line would be if I was targeting trout over 20 inches in a river. This is because in a river they can use the current to really put a lot of pressure on you. And you want to land the trout quick enough to not exhaust it.
Leader Material
With almost any species, your best option for leader material is going to be Fluorocarbon. As I mentioned above, it is almost invisable.
On top of that, it is more abrasion resistant than mono fishing line. This means that it’s less likely the fish will be able to cut the line on rocks and snags.
What About Mono?
For trout, monofilament fishing line comes in at a close second.
If you get a color that blends in well with the water, then visibility isn’t going to be that big of an issue. Maxima Ultragreen Monofilament blends in well with most water conditions.
Mono is cheap, so don’t let money hold you back from getting out on the water. You’ll still catch trout!
What About Braid?
Braided fishing lines are incredibly strong. But that strength really isn’t necessary for trout fishing. And the biggest downside to braid is that it’s not at all see-through.
With trout being so line shy, I wouldn’t recommend using braid.
Another quality about braided line is that it doesn’t stretch. This is good for certain fishing situations. However, when a rainbow trout is jumping and shaking it’s head, the stretch in fluoro and mono will help to hold the hook in tight.
If you already have braided line on your reel and you don’t want to change it out, then at least use a long fluorocarbon leader. You can use the Uni knot to tie these two lines together.
Braided fishing line definitely has it’s place, but for trout, you are better off sticking with fluoro or even mono.