Help me catch a fish (please!)

[bigsnooze]

Long time hiker/bushwhacker, first time fisher. Got a little rod to start taking along, hoping to catch a trout or two... and clearly have no idea what I am doing. Have spent hours standing on shore casting into ponds with nothing to show for it. Tried different spinners, nightcrawlers, a few little artificial baits. I even tried working a lake clear wabbler into the mix after reading about their history in the area. I know they're more for trolling but was getting desperate.

My question - if you were going out tomorrow, using a spinning rod from shore, what would you use in terms of bait and tackle? Complete newbie, very overwhelmed by the sheer number of options, just hoping to get a sample setup that has worked for the area. If I catch just one fish I will be a very happy camper.

Thank you in advance, wise fishermen of the Adirondacks!

[Craig]

Worm, sinker, and bobber

[Justin]

Mepps #2

[Mallard1100]

1/4 oz.

[Tick Magnet]

Smallest phoebe spoon you can cast. Snip off two hooks and pinch the barb on the third. It's like buttah.

2l trout - Copy.jpg

[DuctTape]

Mepps #2

This!!!!

Also research the pond to see what species are present. The "Hunt Fish NY" app is great for this.

[Tug Hill]

Like DuctTape said, 1st research ponds and lakes to see if Brook trout are present. Most ponded brook trout lakes and ponds in the Adks are put Grow and Take status. A few are self sustaining. The new DEC ponded Brook trout management plan lists most of them.

[bigsnooze]

Very interesting reading! Had already done some research on the ponds I've been to in the Pharaohs, confirmed to have trout in them. But appreciate the all the new spots to consider!

Do you notice a big difference in the fishing on self sustaining ponds vs put, grow, take ones?

[MoodyBlues]

i use a roostertail 1/8 oz in the bumble bee pattern almost exclusively. lots of trout, bass, pike, walleye, sunfish etc.

[DuctTape]

Best fishing for me has always been the harder to get to ponds and lakes.

[bigsnooze]

Brook Trout caught! Took me a few more trips. Definitely got a few bites on the mepps and the phoebe. But it was a 1/12 oz copper kastmaster lure that finally caught one for me... then a second one 10 minutes later!

Think the biggest thing was going lighter lures (shoutout Tick Magnet) and dropping down to 4lb test instead of 6lb. Also getting to a more remote and self sustaining pond (shoutout DuctTape + Tug Hill)

Thank you all for the advice and help!

trout.jpg

[DuctTape]

Awesome!

Nice looking fish.