Trout Fishing Rigs - Is There a Best Trout Rig?

Many anglers wonder if there is a best trout rig. If one trout fishing rig is better than another and if fishing rigs are even necessary when fishing for freshwater trout? In this article I will explore this topic so that you can have a better understanding of fishing rigs and how they might be able to help you experience more trout fishing success the next time that you are out on the river or lake.

I have been fishing for freshwater trout of all kinds for more than two decades and was taught about trout fishing rigs by a fisherman who was considered a 'trout fishing master' of sorts in Central Pennsylvania where I spent my formative years. This man was an ultralight spin fisherman, thus the fishing rigs that I'm referring to in this article are for the spin fisherman who enjoys fishing for trout, especially while using ultralight gear and tackle.

The bottom line is that if you fish for trout, the fishing rigs being outlined below need to be a part of your trout fishing repertoire.

1. The Casting Bubble Rig - This rig is a way for traditional spin fishermen to cast and fish a lightweight artificial fly effectively. The rig consists of a swivel, 6 foot tapered leader, an artificial fly, and a casting or fly fishing bubble. A casting bubble is just a clear bubble (similar to a bobber) that slips onto your line and is filled with water for weight. Doing this gives you the ability to be able to cast and retrieve lightweight flies effectively. A casting bubble rig is one of the trout fishing rigs that any serious trout fisherman should have available to them at all times.
The Gang Hook Rig - The gang hook rig consists of a set of gang hooks, which are simply a pair of small fishing hooks tied in tandem, a swivel and some split shot sinkers. This rig is most useful when fishing for trout in the flowing waters of a river or stream and is the best way to present a live worm (or half of a live worm in the case of large worms like nightcrawlers) as bait when fishing. The gang hook rig is definitely the best way of rigging a worm for trout fishing.

The two fishing rigs mentioned above are very effective and should be a part of any serious spin fisherman's fishing vest. There are two main places that anglers fish for trout, lakes and rivers. The gang hook rig is best employed in river fishing scenarios, whereas the casting bubble rig is best for lake fishing scenarios. The point is that one of these two fishing rigs may well be the best rig for trout fishing.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.

Casting Bubbles