Brook Trout gear

Quick setup

Rod	Reel	Line	Leader
Fairly light spinning or spincast rod, the same light gear used for other trout.	Small spinning or spincast reel.	4 to 6 lb test.	12 to 18 inches of 4 to 6 lb line for spoon-and-worm trolling rigs.

Rod, reel and line

Rod: Fairly light spinning or spincast rod, the same light gear used for other trout.
Reel: Small spinning or spincast reel.
Line: 4 to 6 lb test.
Leader: 12 to 18 inches of 4 to 6 lb line for spoon-and-worm trolling rigs.

Baits

worms
crickets
grasshoppers

Lures

small spoons
small spinners
small jigs

Rigs

Spoon and worm: tie a small spoon to the main line, add a 12 to 18 inch leader and a size 6 hook with a worm. Troll slowly so the spoon wobbles without spinning; add split shot to go deeper.
In streams, drift a worm along the bottom through deep holes, undercut banks and log cover.

Tips

Brook trout are less wary than browns and are ready biters. They feed most at about 57 to 60°F and in low light at dawn and dusk.
In ponds, spring and fall bring brook trout near the surface. In summer they go deeper. Many brook trout ponds ban baitfish.
Fly fishing: An 8 or 9 foot, 5 or 6 weight rod with floating, sink-tip or sinking line and 4X tippet. Woolly buggers and streamers in sizes 6 to 12, plus nymphs and dries in a hatch.

Starter setup

A 5.5 to 7 foot light to medium-light spinning or spincast rod and matching reel, spooled with 6 lb monofilament. Spincast is easiest for beginners, and a 4 to 5 foot rod suits small kids. Carry size 6 to 10 hooks, a few split shot (pinched on 4 to 8 inches above the hook), small bobbers, a couple of small spinners and jigs, and worms. Learn the improved clinch knot and the palomar knot.

Light line casts farther and draws more strikes. Heavier line and stiffer rods are for bigger fish, heavy cover or sharp teeth, not for everyday fishing.

When to size up

Fish	Gear
Walleye, bass, saugeye, hybrid striped bass	medium rod, 8 to 12 lb line, 6 to 7.5 feet
Channel catfish	medium-heavy rod, 10 to 20 lb line
Northern pike	medium-heavy rod, 15 lb or heavier braid, steel or heavy fluorocarbon (40 lb+) leader
Muskellunge	heavy 7 to 9 foot rod, 50 to 80 lb braid, heavy leader
Trolling for lake trout and salmon	8.5 to 10.5 foot trolling rods, 15 lb mono or 30 lb braid, level-wind reels
Steelhead	8 to 10 foot or longer rods, 6 to 10 lb line
Lake sturgeon	heavy rod, 50 to 100 lb braid