Cutthroat Trout gear

Quick setup

Rod	Reel	Line	Leader
Light spinning rod in the usual stream trout range, about 4.5 to 8.5 feet.	Small to medium spinning reel.	4 to 8 lb monofilament main line.	4 lb fluorocarbon in clear water on sunny days; 6 lb mono in larger, colored water.

Rod, reel and line

Rod: Light spinning rod in the usual stream trout range, about 4.5 to 8.5 feet.
Reel: Small to medium spinning reel.
Line: 4 to 8 lb monofilament main line.
Leader: 4 lb fluorocarbon in clear water on sunny days; 6 lb mono in larger, colored water.

Baits

worms or other bait drifted along the bottom, where bait is legal

Lures

1/8 to 1/4 oz spoons
size 2 to 3 spinners
minnow imitations for bigger fish

Rigs

Cast spoons or spinners close to logs, rocks and other cover.
In lakes, fish nymphs or streamers on a slow-sinking line with a very slow retrieve, at the depth the fish are holding.

Tips

Cutthroat are aggressive and willing. They tend to take bait deep, so use lures if you plan to release fish. Many cutthroat streams allow artificial lures and flies only.
Fly fishing: Dries matched to the hatch, standard nymphs, and hopper-dropper setups in streams.

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