Hello all:

Another Arkansas trout angler checking in. My preference when fishing for trout is with a weight, hook, and float. My question is- I just bought Berkly No. 6  hooks that came with 12 inches of mono attached. I am using 6 18g split shots 25 cm away from my hook and my and at the end of the section of fishing line that came with the hook. Now I have tied it to my heavy fishing line already on my rod and that’s where I put my float. Obviously, the line above the float is not under water, will the trout still notice that the fishing line is heavy and swim away or will the trout not notice it. Please also tell me if I should just buy different fishing line or if you have a good method of trout fishing please tell me.
Thank you very much!
-Matt

I will always chase a white ball around a course, but I decided to hang up golf for a bit and switch to fishing. Trust me, it’s cheaper, more relaxing, zero stress, and wastes more time, lol. I moved to Arkansas from Washington because this State and people are wonderful and a great place to retire. What I was completely ignorant about was the World Class trout fishing here.  I’m looking to find out some info on trout fishing. I’ve been reading tons of things online. Alright my question: Getting night crawlers for bait, on 6lb test line, buying a $30.00 pole, and putting some split shots on it. Is that enough to catch me some trout? or do I need some power bait, a bobber, and an overall understanding of where the trout will be (behind some rocks, to not right the current), etc.

Any other ides to give to a newbie trout angler?

Thanks.

Back9

I understand there is really no such thing as a fail safe fishing knot. I use the Pitzen fisherman’s knot, I use it for all my trout fishing and even for big king salmon, so the line I use is 30 pound test.I do mine a little different since it is thicker line, I use the five or six wraps, instead of the three wraps they suggest for trout fishing. When I use this knot, I make sure I do it just right because I know most fish lost is due to cinching down the knots too fast, and weak terminal gear.And people I know ask what pound test you using? I tell them 30 pound test monofilament,and they say what!,I use 50-60 lbs test and lose my fish.I use a good quality monofilament, good quality swivels and good quality hooks,and I am a firm believer in knots are the main thing to really watch how it is done, because monofilament heats up if the knot is cinched down fast and can result in a weak knot, I also lubricate the line before I cinch it down. I do the same for other salmon,but use a good quality 17-20lb test line, and get some nice big silver salmon, trout, and red salmon. I say good quality instead of saying top quality, because everyone has their own choice for what they call top quality. My opinion, it is top quality what I use,but people will always say I got better. I do use other knots improved clinch, uni, palomar, trilene knot, but the one I use for fishing trout is the Pitzen knot or a few variations of it. I tie mine a bit different, at the end before you cinch it down then draw it tight. I put the end of the line going through the the loop the same way the the main line goes through the loop, instead of going the opposite way like the original shows. I have tried both for strength and found the original will break easier than the way I do it. I should have put this in my illustration above when I first thought about putting this in here. Maybe I have made an improved version of the Pitzen knot, I don’t know, but it works for me. And Josh 2.0 the tie knot it is called the double improved knot or also known as the Rivers inlet knot. Any suggestions? As you see I am very much into knots… or trying to find a good one to improve my overall fishing experience.

Thanks for the invite-Terry

I am just getting tired of hauling my fishing gear making multiple trips to carry gear to some of my favorite fishing spots? I also feel I might be missing some great trout fishing areas due to having to lug gear and fishing equipment to prime hard to find/great spots. Would an all in one cart be a good idea to carry your gear?… and looking for suggestions. Finally, I am not as young as I use to be and worried about slipping/falling when hauling gear in remote locations to fish.

Ideas?

Gary

Thanks,

Gordon

Hello all, and nice to see an Arkansas blog! My family I are heading to the White River in mid September to do some camping and trout fishing. I am gearing up and needed know what size line would be needed and definitely need a good technique for that time of year? We will not be fly fishing and know that trout spook easily there. I was/ am thinking possibly a 4lb test is best but I am open for suggestions? Could any fellow Arkansans want to tip another angler on what to use and not?

We will not be hiring a guide

Terry, in Little Rock.

Here is a great video of summer trout fishing on the White River near Calico Rock, Arkansas. Get’s me all excited watching it.