As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Whether you want to go fishing in ponds, reservoirs or lakes, winter fishing can be a good time to catch some big trout. Anglers should ensure the necessary gear and the best bait for winter trout fishing, and they will be surprised to see the amount of fish they can get during the cold season.
Contents
Our Top Winter Trout Fishing Bait Recommendations
There was a time anglers believed that winter trout fishing would yield no results. With the right kind of tackle, you can catch trout easily. Make the changes to your tackle box and ensure that you have the right lures, and other equipment to fish for trout under a frozen lake surface.
Best Overall Bait for Winter Trout Fishing: Eurotackle Z Spender Micro Suspending Jerkbait
The Eurotackle Z Spender Micro has a metallic finish and proves to be an excellent bait choice for trout in winters. This lure is made of a blended material and the little fish-shaped lure moves naturally in the water. This lure is different from the THKFISH spoons and BASSDASH flies as it looks more real. Secondly, the weight of this lure requires a sinker while the Trout Fishing Spoon does not require any weight.
The rattle system works wonders in the cold season and makes it hard for trout to remain in hiding when the lure is lowered into the lake. The two treble hooks ensure that there will be a catch. Moreover, the erratic swimming action works well.
Pros
- Variety of colors is attractive for trout
- Good suspending action makes the lure move like real fish
- Good material makes the lure longlasting
Cons
- The ring is smaller than other lures and it can be hard to tie a knot through it
- You have to use a weight to lower this lure deep in the lake to attract trout
Best Cast Fishing Bait for Winter Trout: THKFISH Fishing Lures Trout Lures Fishing Spoons
The life-like swimming action of the THKFISH Trout Fishing Spoons makes it possible for anglers to attract trout from the depths of the lake in winter. The flash spoons are shiny and can be seen from a distance.
The treble hook at the bottom of the spoons is similar to those on the Eurotackle Z Spender. The high material hooks ensure a quick hook-up, however, if you compare this lure to the BASSDASH flies, they are more attractive due to the metallic finish.
Pros
- The aerodynamic design allows anglers to cast this bait, and it moves as the water moves to attract trout.
- The shiny finish adds to the efficiency of the lure.
- Jigging with these spoons is easy and will give great results.
Cons
- The glued stickers at the time of purchase do not come off easily and often make the finish dull.
- The finish is poor and may come off easily.
Best Fly Fishing Bait for Winter Trout: BASSDASH Fly Fishing Flies Kit
The assorted flies in the Fishing Flies Kit include streamers, leeches, wet flies, and many more. The colorful, and high motion flies can move with the water to attract trout in winter. Using a sink leader will be a good idea to reach the depth of trout during the cold season.
The flies in the kit have different shapes which allow anglers to target trout in various lakes according to the kind of flies they eat. The THKFISH spoons or the Z Spender do not have varying sizes like the flies in the kit. Moreover, these lures are much lighter than the other two.
Pros
- Different sizes of hooks to match the size of fish in a particular lake.
- Many patterns suit entry-level and seasoned anglers for fly fishing.
- A natural finish can attract fish effectively.
Cons
- The assortment of flies can be confusing for many anglers.
- You may need to carry various sinkers to accompany these light lures.
Factors to Consider for Best Bait for Winter Trout Fishing
| Name | Z Spender | THKFISH Spoon | BASSDASH Fly Fishing Kit |
| Shape | Looks like bait fish | Does not look like fish | Look like insects |
| Color | Metallic pink, chartreuse, yellow perch, and many more | Metallic, bright green, pink, blue, and red. | Non-metallic green, white, black, grey, blue, and yellow. |
| Hook Type | Treble | Treble | J Hooks |
Before you set out to buy bait for winter fishing, there are a few factors that you will have to consider in order to determine the best choice for you. All anglers have specific styles, therefore the choice of lures cannot be the same for all.
Size of Lure
When fishing in winter, anglers should use a smaller lure and then move up to a bigger size in case they do not catch trout. The Fly Fishing Kit flies are small, and the Z Spender and THKFish spoon are bigger respectively.
Color of Lure
Winter fishing for trout requires bright-colored lures because of the low light in the lake. The ice-covered lakes are quite dark, and even if there is no ice on top, the trout is deep in the lake where a shiny, bright and naturally moving lure like Z Spender or THKFish Spoons will work efficiently.
Related Questions
Many anglers get confused about the right bait for trout in winter because it is not a common season for fishing. Many seasoned anglers know that they can catch big fish during the cold season, however, there can be many related questions about the best lure in winter.
What Is the Best Bait Color for Trout in Winter?
The best colors for lures in winter are chrome, metallic blue, gray, silver, and pink. The shinier lures will be more visible in the dark and deep parts of the lake.
What Is the Best Bait for Winter Trout?
The best bait for winter trout includes jerk baits, power bait, spy baits, drop shot rigs, and soft plastic grubs.
What Size Hooks Are Suitable for Winter Trout?
Hook sizes 8 to 14 are suitable for winter trout fishing. Barbless hooks are preferred because they do not injure the trout.
Conclusion
The best bait for winter trout fishing can get you some big catches. Apart from the lake size and technique of fishing, there can be many other factors that will help decide which lures to add to the tackle before you head out.