LURE FISHING TECHNIQUES FOR SPRING TROUT
Hot Spoon Fishing Tips From The Experts At Acme Tackle Company

Spring traditionally marks the opening of trout season in many areas of the country. Ice begins to break up on high mountain lakes, snow melt feeds fresh, oxygen-rich water into streams and rivers and predatory trout start to move out of their winter slumber and feed more aggressively. As the season progresses and water temperatures rise into the 40s and 50s, fish become more active and come into the shallows in the morning and evening in search of forage.

These hungry, aggressive trout are excellent targets for the lure fisherman. Because these fish are on the prowl for a moving target, the flash, color, vibration and action of metal spoons -- in the hands of an experienced angler -- will often trigger smashing strikes. During this time of the year it's not uncommon for spoons to out-perform all other baits and lures combined. And after the first few jarring strikes, few spin fishermen will argue the point that spoon fishing is without a doubt the most exciting way to catch trout.
Here are a few tips to make your lure fishing more productive this spring:

Troll, troll, troll your boat. Trolling is an excellent way to cover ground and locate fish. Acme's venerable Kastmaster® is ideal for trolling because it swims at almost any speed, without twisting line. Acme's new Fish Hawk provides the added sound and color of a sonic "flipper tail" and bubbles created by raised epoxy "dots" as it moves through the water. In the mornings and evenings, troll the shallow side of points and drop-offs. These are natural ambush points where trout can attack prey on shallow shelves and retreat to the cover of deeper water. When fish are up near the surface, tie on a 1/8 or 1/4 oz. Kastmaster with no added weight. When the sun is high later in the day, you can add a small split-shot 24" above the lure to make it run deeper. When you locate an area with fish, don't be afraid to stop and work the area by casting and retrieving.

Vary speed and depth. Too many anglers fish spoons only one way -- a steady retrieve on the surface. Lures let you cover the entire water column. Let the lure sink for varying lengths of time -- or all the way to the bottom -- before starting your retrieve. Vary retrieve speed and try adding a "stop-and-start" or "twitching" action. This is often all that's needed to make trout that are following your lure strike. Acme's time-tested Little Cleo® and Phoebe® spoons are ideal for this. Their flutter on the fall and swimming action even at ultra-slow speeds can be just the trick to trigger strikes.

Vertical jig. During the brightest part of the day, trout may be holding tight to the bottom along drop-offs and points. You can still get them to bite lures by dropping straight down and "jigging" the lure vertically. The shape and action of Acme's Kastmaster makes it ideal for this. Try 1/4 oz. or even 3/8 oz. depending on water depth. Lift the lure a few feet off the bottom and let if fall, keeping "in touch" with the lure at all times. Be wary for pick-ups as the lure drops, usually signaled by a subtle "tick" on the line. Every now and then, crank the lure swiftly toward the surface. The idea that an easy meal is getting away is sometimes more than a trout can stand.

Pick the pockets. When spring runoff has streams and rivers running high and swift, trout often hold in calm pockets and eddies behind boulders, logjams and other obstructions. Here trout can rest out of the current and wait for food to come to them. Work small Acme Kastmasters and Fish Hawks through the upstream side of these pockets. These often form deep holes, even in small streams, so try letting the lure sink if you don't get strikes right away.

Show 'em something different. Too many anglers stick with their old favorite, even when it's no longer working. Often, all that's needed to get "finicky" fish to eat is a change of presentation. Dropping down to a smaller size lure often does the trick. Try changing from a flashy lure to a darker, painted finish -- particularly during the brightest part of the day or in ultra-clear water. If you've been using a slim-profile Kastmaster, switch to a lure like the Phoebe, which gives the illusion of a target for predators. And of course, vary the speed, depth and retrieve style.