What are the best hooks to use for catching a rainbow trout?

What are the best hooks to use for catching a rainbow trout?

For catching rainbow trout in Australia and New Zealand, where both countries boast pristine trout fishing environments, using the proper hooks can significantly enhance your angling success.

Rainbow trout can be wary and have soft mouths, so choosing hooks that are sharp, strong, and the right size is key to ensuring a successful catch and release if that's your intention. Here are some recommendations:

 Single Hooks:

Barbless Hooks: Ideal for catch-and-release fishing, as they cause minimal harm to the trout and are easier to remove.

Many fisheries in Australia and New Zealand require barbless hooks to protect their trout populations.

Circle Hooks: While less common in trout fishing, circle hooks can be effective, especially for bait fishing, as they are designed to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth, reducing gut hooking.

Treble Hooks:

Small Treble Hooks: Often used with dough baits or when fishing with lures. In areas where treble hooks are allowed, ensure they are small enough to suit the size of the trout you expect to catch. Size 12 to 18 is typically suitable for rainbow trout.

 Fly Hooks:

Dry Fly Hooks: If you're fly fishing, use dry fly hooks for surface flies. These hooks are lightweight and designed to mimic the delicate landing of an insect.

Wet Fly/Nymph Hooks: Wet fly or nymph hooks are heavier and designed to sink for sub-surface flies.

They're ideal for imitating nymphs and other underwater trout prey.

Hook Size:

The ideal hook size for rainbow trout usually ranges from size 8 to 14, depending on the bait or lure size and the average size of the trout in the fishing area.

 Material and Coating:
Look for high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials, especially if fishing in brackish waters. Coated hooks can offer additional rust resistance and be less visible to fish.

When fishing in Australia and New Zealand, it's also crucial to be mindful of local regulations regarding hook types and sizes, as these can vary between regions and water bodies to protect local trout populations.

For those in Australia and New Zealand looking for the best hooks for rainbow trout fishing, Finned Fishen (https://www.finnedfishen.com.au/) offers a carefully selected range of hooks suited for the local trout fishing conditions.

Whether you're an experienced fly fisher or prefer bait or lure fishing, Finned Fishen has the right hooks to maximize your chances of a successful and environmentally responsible trout fishing experience.