Sometimes I can’t tell the difference between canned trout bait and putty, other than smelling it, of course. Honestly, what kind of fish would try to eat something that looks like something kids play with? Have you ever thought about how weird this really is? That we would want to catch something that would happily eat a ball of clay that smells like the business end of a dead cat? I guess this is part of the reason I’ve never had any respect for stored fish.
The whole idea of stocked fish is wrong with me. Not so many “minnows” that are released and then grow up in the wild, this is fine. I am referring to fish of catchable size (generally trout) that are released into our waters to be caught by us fishermen. A great way to catch these fish is by using trout bait, or is it just smelly putty? I guess that’s up to you, but the facts are that no matter how much I disapprove of stored trout eating them, the point is that they do.
Seeing how fish can be caught with this “fisherman’s play dough”, whether I like it or not, what is the most effective way to fish it? This is really quite simple. Due to the smell that these baits give off, the best way to fish with them is by fishing still. The scent is then dispersed in the water, the trout smells it and is attracted to it. So a hook attached to a weight is the normal method. A better method is to employ a multi-hook set, which allows you to use the bait twice. This can be a great advantage.
The multi hook rig is set up like this: take the end of your line and slide and place the egg on your line. Now tie it into a small rotating barrel. The barrel ball joint acts as a stop, preventing the egg sinker from slipping past it (if the egg sinker slides over the barrel ball joint, simply add a small split shot as a “stopper”). Now simply attach a set of #8 or #10 multi hooks to the other end of the cylinder swivel. Now add two balls of “fishing clay” to the hooks (enough to completely cover each hook). Now drop this rig and let it sink. Finally, pick up the rod, slowly wind the line slack until it shows, and wait for the rod tip to start bouncing.
Not that I condone it, but that’s how you catch the clay-like types of trout baits. In all seriousness, the above gear works, so if you want to catch some stocked trout, give it a try. I am sure you will not be disappointed.