Catching trout with live minnows: What's the best way to fish for trout in lakes using live minnows as bait and what is the best way to hook the minnow, in the mouth, tail...? I fish...

hookme Loc: S.F Bay area

What's the best way to fish for trout in lakes using live minnows as bait and what is the best way to hook the minnow, in the mouth, tail...? I fish in N. California and some lakes allow live bait from its lakes.
Also, do artificial minnows wok well?
Thanks.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

hookme wrote:

What's the best way to fish for trout in lakes using live minnows as bait and what is the best way to hook the minnow, in the mouth, tail...? I fish in N. California and some lakes allow live bait from its lakes.
Also, do artificial minnows wok well?
Thanks.

Welcome to the Forum, hookme. When it was legal to do it, I always put the hook through the eyes. But I fished streams and stripped it back.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

hookme wrote:

What's the best way to fish for trout in lakes using live minnows as bait and what is the best way to hook the minnow, in the mouth, tail...? I fish in N. California and some lakes allow live bait from its lakes.
Also, do artificial minnows wok well?
Thanks.

If still fishin or from a boat, I would hook them in the back. Either in front of the dorsal or further back in front of the tail. If you are goin to be fishin deep, I would hook them the mouth so they go up and down easier. I fish for lake trout either way and it works.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

What kinda trout we talkin about here? You Carolinians got some peculiar names for your fish.

hookme Loc: S.F Bay area

Rainbow

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

OK. I've never fished with live minnows for trout. But one of the largest browns I've caught was on a yozuri pins minnow. 'bows love em too. Blue fox and panther martin both make a minnow spinner and they can be deadly under the right conditions. Browns and bigger 'bows come up into the shallows in the early morning and evenings to feed on little fishes that are never too far from whatever cover is available to them. There ya go. Super duper can be a killer then too, especially for browns.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

hookme wrote:

Rainbow

What lake? I would use a bobber with minnow bout 3 feet or so under it hooked just behind the dorsal. Tiny split shot up bout a foot from the minnow to keep it down. If it's too shallow I'd go down to maybe 6 feet or so till you find the trout.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

hookme wrote:

What's the best way to fish for trout in lakes using live minnows as bait and what is the best way to hook the minnow, in the mouth, tail...? I fish in N. California and some lakes allow live bait from its lakes.
Also, do artificial minnows wok well?
Thanks.

I use a slip bobber rig so I can put my bait in the right zone. Lightly hooking the bait either just before or behind the dorsal fin, depending on whether the bait tangles up the line. Sometimes changing the position of the hook makes the big difference.

tommybe1 Loc: Bay Area, California

hookme wrote:

What's the best way to fish for trout in lakes using live minnows as bait and what is the best way to hook the minnow, in the mouth, tail...? I fish in N. California and some lakes allow live bait from its lakes.
Also, do artificial minnows wok well?
Thanks.

Most if not all California lakes require you get the minnows from the lake you're fishing in. Make sure you check the regs. Never know when mr. warden is watching.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I don't know why I thought you were from the Carolinas. You're practically a neighbor.

Geomike Loc: Forest Ranch, CA

hookme wrote:

What's the best way to fish for trout in lakes using live minnows as bait and what is the best way to hook the minnow, in the mouth, tail...? I fish in N. California and some lakes allow live bait from its lakes.
Also, do artificial minnows wok well?
Thanks.

Welcome to the forum. I agree with BigDog in using a slip bobber with an adjustable bobber stop so you can vary the depth. Also put a small split-shot about a foot above the minnow to keep it from swimming up to the surface. Keep a watch on the bobber and wait until it goes under so you get a solid hook set. You may see the bobber get "nervous" as the minnow ties to get away. Good luck!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

hookme wrote:

What's the best way to fish for trout in lakes using live minnows as bait and what is the best way to hook the minnow, in the mouth, tail...? I fish in N. California and some lakes allow live bait from its lakes.
Also, do artificial minnows wok well?
Thanks.

Welcome hookme, lots of California help here.

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Lots of help on here from Cal. Good luck