What is the best trout bait or lure to use right now in Southern Cal. lakes?

I usually use either 1/2 of an inflated night crawler threaded on a #10 or 12 baitholder hook on a 4# leader , a small swivel and a 1/4 to 3/8 oz egg sinker or I use chartreuse or rainbow powerbait on a #18 treble with same leader set up. 2# leader if it's clear water.

Big Hammer Swimbaits/Fishco Leadheads
www.swimbait.com
Pro-Cure Scents
www.pro-cure.com

The only thing that really catches big trout more consistanly than anything else in these so cal stocked lakes is an inflated night crawler with a little power bait/crave bait added to it and if you want, some kind of liquid scent. This bait gives you realistic movement, scent, taste, and when they grab the crawler they don't want to let it get away. If your just fishing for normal stock size fish a lot of people I talk to say if the waters clear nothing beats white power bait. If it's stained then chartrues will usually be your best bet.

Stick with Power bait. Small spit-shot not a carolina rig.Some BANG garlic sent.

Try this for freshly planted trout:

Mix up dough bait w/ gravel or course sand (rub bait into medium).. Throw the freshly mixed gravel or course sand out into the water..
whallah.. instant trout... (ancient chinese technique!)

Actually, this supposedly imitates feeding time and gets them going.. sometimes. Food for thought.. Have fun!

That is considered "chumming" and is illegal in California fresh waters that require a fishing license. I don't know about the "plant and take" barrels. IMO, trout are pretty easy to catch. Why resort to illegal methods??
NoTrollMotor

NotTroll.. I never said trout was hard to catch.. didn't mean to offend you in any way.. :|

oh btw.. do you really have to have a license to fish legally in California??? Wow.. now thats some real info there! ;) Anyways.. thanks for the wise advise!

You did not offend me. I just hate to see people give advise to others that is illegal and may result in them getting fined by the DFG. When I see this, I try to inform the person that posed the question that the advice recieved may be illegal.

I probably come across on this board as being a stickler (Anal?) for following regulations, but, IMO, any fish not taken according to regulations is POACHING. Conscious disregard of regulations, much less encouraging others to do so, plays right into the hands of PETA, the MWD, and others that would love to restrict your right to fish.

BTW, you do not need a license to fish in privately owned (SARL) put and take barrels. I was not informing of the need for a license in most CA freshwater. I was admitting that I do not know if it is OK to chum in those waters not requiring a lisence, as I've never been to one. I guess it would be up to the management.

I apologize for the tone in my last reply. The "trout easy to catch" remark was uncalled for.

NoTrollMotor

Notroll, you didn't have to apologize because your absolutely right.. I honestly didn't know that it was illegal to do that.. I used to see the kids do it all the time at p.way and never get hassled.. just to see how "trained,"--for a lack of a better word--these trout are.. was just insane..

besides.. I still need exorcise some demons out of my fishing habits and maybe grow up a little too.. ;)

I have heard and seen quite a few people practice this method of lure'n the trout to your general area.Except they throw just pure sand,i don't know if that would still be considered chumming if your really just tossing dirt??

Probably illegal.....

Also,i think one of the most effective trout baits(lure)is carolina rigging a trout powerworm.

I was thinking the same thing last night after replying to Da Kine.
It seems like a great idea even without the PB. You'd think that the stockers would react to the sound and splash that imitates feeding time at the hatchery regardless of the presence of food, Like Pavlov's dogs.(Pavlov's Trout??)

I don't believe the gravel alone can be considered chumming. It probably wouldn't be too hard to convince some kids to do it for you if hassled. (Rangers let kids throw just about anything in the water. How are you going to stop the little darlings?)
I am definitely going to try it next time I'm shore fishing (I wouldn't want to test the Skinner ranger's reaction to throwing ANYTHING in the water from a boat.

DaKine, thanks for the reply. After my kind of snotty post, I looked back at some of your posts. Members like you and posts like yours are what makes this board as good as it is. I'm glad everything is cool :)
NoTrollMotor

Tossing plain sand is not illegal. I used to do it as a kid to make my super curly Penguin line sink. I had no idea it imitated feed being thrown and made no connection as to why I would get bit soon after--duh. I have heard of guys using a super soaker to spray the surface to attract them as well.


Big Hammer Swimbaits-Fishco/Hammerhead Jigheads
www.swimbait.com
Pro-Cure Scents
www.pro-cure.com

This technique works just as well in the ocean. It is not unusual for a cattle boat skipper to find fish on the sonar and for a deck hand to go to the rail with the water hose spraying the surface of the ocean. The sound created mimics agitated bait schools on the surface.

<>< <>< <>< <><

AMP2564