need some trout advice

[rot1018]

went to rampo and big flat brook this week end no catches no bites fished ultra lite with # 4 line 1/32 & 1/16 once spinners all different colors also fished maribu jigs and curl tail grubs and several spoons cant help but notice some of you having wonderful luck and some even catching on same rivers I was this week end any advice to improve my luck would be greatly appreciated thank you

[thmyorke1]

You're not the only guy that had no bites today in a river :o

Im blaming the weather. I should go out on the bad days where it's no so clear and sunny, which always happen to be after fronts have moved through

[njflyfisher]

Which stretch of the flatbrook were you fishing? Some holes hold fish all year.
It all honestly comes down to time spent on the river. You realize where the fish hold and what they like to eat during different times of the year. Flurocarbon also helps in the winter months when the fish are lethargic.

[trout taco]

I don't know the Ramapo but the flatbrook will have fish in it. The usgs site has stream flows and water temps. unfortunately they all don't eat at the same time but fish have eat. Look for warmer water trends or what time of the day the water is warmest. Use light line and keep your offering near the bottom. Big mistake is anchoring your bait to bottom. Trout will rise up a few inches in a drift to eat. A nice drag free drift near the bottom is perfect and if you get hung up every now and again your doing it right.

In my experience floating a butter worm or salmon egg is king on tough cold water trout. A small plug (yo zuri pins minnow) or a spinner will always produce also.
Trout magnets and Trout worms work well when they are really chewing latley the trout magnets have been better than the worm. Ive had one fish days and other days I have hooked dozens. That's just how the winter can go.
Good luck. I should of mentioned not all the rivers have a temp gauge here in NJ.

[thmyorke1]

I don't know the Ramapo but the flatbrook will have fish in it. The usgs site has stream flows and water temps. unfortunately they all don't eat at the same time but fish have eat. Look for warmer water trends or what time of the day the water is warmest. Use light line and keep your offering near the bottom. Big mistake is anchoring your bait to bottom. Trout will rise up a few inches in a drift to eat. A nice drag free drift near the bottom is perfect and if you get hung up every now and again your doing it right.

In my experience floating a butter worm or salmon egg is king on tough cold water trout. A small plug (yo zuri pins minnow) or a spinner will always produce also.
Trout magnets and Trout worms work well when they are really chewing latley the trout magnets have been better than the worm. Ive had one fish days and other days I have hooked dozens. That's just how the winter can go.
Good luck.

In what way do you keep the bait just off the bottom as well as keeping it drifting through the current?

Just split shots and gentle rid movements to hospital every few seconds?

[trout taco]

Split shot weight and float placement will dictate where the bait is in the drift. I prefer to use a float 90% of the time with butter worms and salmon eggs. Float or not you want the bait near the bottom so the fish can see it in a natural manner. Think of it like this... A fly fisherman doesn't load up on split shot and let the nymphs sit in pool. Enough weight to get the flies down and drift, at the end of the drift repeat. This is same concept but on simpler scale the idea is have a natural drift. Trout will move up in the water column to eat. True float fishing is done with multiple different size split shots long leaders, a float with two elastic bands, a long rod and a centerpin reel. Here in NJ you can modify it for these small-medium size rivers. I can take a picture of a few basic rigs I use here in NJ if you would like.

[thmyorke1]

I can take a picture of a few basic rigs I use here in NJ if you would like.

Absolutely!

From my understanding the float allows the rig to drift and not anchor to the bottom, and the weight keeps it as low as the float allows.

Is there anything to stress about rod movement? Keeping the line tight as well as letting the bait float naturally seems like a challenge as well. I guess you'd have to work with the slack line and simply watch the bobber/float?

[trout taco]

Absolutely!

From my understanding the float allows the rig to drift and not anchor to the bottom, and the weight keeps it as low as the float allows.

Is there anything to stress about rod movement? Keeping the line tight as well as letting the bait float naturally seems like a challenge as well. I guess you'd have to work with the slack line and simply watch the bobber/float?

I'll post a picture tonight for you. It's not so much a tight light line technique. If you cast up stream you have to keep up with the slack, you don't want to set the hook with slack and once the float is in front of you can mend the float and let it float down stream some. If your free time google/youtube float fishing. You will get the jist. The only draw back to it is consistently changing weight and the float depth.

[AndyS]

I like jigs, low and slow in the winter.

[Capt. Lou]

Some other criteria that bears some mention is fishing in accordance with stream conditions & water temperature . Invest in a temp gauge & take temps those can be important even more so in winter.
Recognition of trout holding water is of paramount importance , even stocked trout will move especially big fish to water that offer proper food & cover .
Reading water is of paramount importance to catching consistently , many time I have taken a dozen trout without changing my position.
Many lures work in winter but when water temps plummet bait will systemically
out perform.
This being said by an ardent lure fisherman, I go with what conditions dictate.
I stay away from hi discolored water in winter , prefer days just like today to fish moderate sun or full sun being my first choices in winter .
Over the past 6 seasons I've taken 37 trout over5#'s all from publicly stocked waters!
Today was no exception 8 for 11 up to 7#'s all feisty bows & the big girl was so,tough & clean looked like a golden in water !
I could only fish 3 hrs today but if u put in the time & figure out the rest this winter trout fishing is like a sickness , any good day I Gotta get on the water !
Good luck! And I was suppose to cod fish today thank god that was cancelled 👍

[Billfish715]

Not for nothing, but, knowing the river is just as important as technique, bait, etc. if you are 50-100 feet away from a "spot" you won't catch any. Most of the holes near the stocking points get hit hard. Try getting away from the crowd. Speaking of stocking points, it's important to know them if you fish in NJ. You have to have a few backup spots if your primary spot isn't producing. Finally, stay away from the spots where the bucket brigades hang out.

[bigboy5522]

Winter is a tough time you need to get your lure right in front of the fish, they wont really chase like in the spring/fall. Jigs under a bobber like others have said or try your luck in the spring when they stock. Might be easier to catch some then and build your skills.

[Capt. Lou]

U can regularly catch trout in winter just put in your time , fish holding water only . I would not recommend hardware when stream temps plummet, stick with bait or minnow imitating lures .
You can take trout on a variety of lures when temps warm but not consistently in winter .
Spinners have NEVER been a winter go to lure for me , well presented bait always produces if stream conditions are right .
Once u learn how to fish bait , properly lures are fished exactly the same .

[LightGearMike]

Only hit the flatbrook a few times since November but hit every time there. If you're looking for an easy go, head there! I have a few Ramapo spots that are holding 20-25 trout a piece but you've got a hell of a hike ahead of you. One is a good 2.5 mile hike from the closest legal parking spot. Like one guy said before... find 2 stocking points and check somewhere in the middle!

[23cardinal]

Only hit the flatbrook a few times since November but hit every time there. If you're looking for an easy go, head there! I have a few Ramapo spots that are holding 20-25 trout a piece but you've got a hell of a hike ahead of you. One is a good 2.5 mile hike from the closest legal parking spot. Like one guy said before... find 2 stocking points and check somewhere in the middle!

Amen! Since u know my spot lol- u ever go on the other side with the stairs? Saw a fly guy there last week- Lives down the street Also- bridges make good summer holes- deep broken water behind. And usually sunny on one side.