What baits and strategies would one use to catch trout (in a lake) using a spincast rod and reel?

We used grasshoppers worked well last year

There is nothing special about fly fishing. It is just lure fishing with a very light weight lure. The lure is so light that it cannot be cast out. So they use a weighted line.

But of course, those people that fly fish will tell you different !!

There is nothing special about trout fishing. They are just like most other fresh water fish. They will take lures and bait. When selecting lure or bait just follow the golden rule...match the hatch. So pretty much anything you would use for any other fresh water fish. Grasshoppers, worms, maggots etc.

If using a lure again there is nothing special. Trout will take hard lures, soft plastics, small spoons etc and of course flies. A very popular lure for trout is the Tassie Devil, in fact it is so popular it is often called "the trout lure".

But of course, those people that fly fish will tell you different.

You can also get trout bait pellets. That might be a good starting point as they are formulated specifically for trout.

Try Pautski's Balls-O-Fire in red, orange or shrimp pink. Put a couple of eggs on a # 6 or 8 short shank hook with an 18 to 24" leader. Put a ¼ oz. barrel weight on the line with a snap/swivel tied to the end of the line. With a loop in the end of your leader put it on the snap and cast it out there. The barrel weight will go to the bottom and the eggs will float above the veges on the bottom. The barrel weight will allow the fish to take the bait and not feel the weight right away, when he does it's to late cause you have set the hook.

Well, here are a couple of trout I took out of the Columbia River last night using a bobber at the end of my line and a plain old no. 1 hook stuffed with maggots about three feet up the line (i find having the hook between the bobber and me lets me feel the nibbles better). I paid attention to the best times... caught them in the hour after dark when everyone else had gone home! I just let the current carry my bobber out across a little bay, then sloooowly reeled it in. Works in just about any season for me

Hi Affolter,

Nice catch !!

So that would be a bit like ballooning...Let the breeze or current take the bait out.

Do you use a dropper of sorts. Or just attached the hook directly to the main line?

I've used both, but I seem to get the best results with the hook attached to the main line. I think it might be because I feel every little tap that way.

Excellent! Thanks for such detailed instructions!

Putting the hook between you and the bobber . . . very interesting. I can instantly see the advantage. Thanks!

Veddy ienteresstinggg.