trout in rivers is a favorite pastime for many anglers, offering an exciting and rewarding experience. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, using the right fishing lures can make all the difference. Among the many types of fishing lures available, soft plastic lures have gained immense popularity due to their lifelike action, versatility, and effectiveness in catching trout.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the best soft plastic fishing lures for trout in rivers, how they work, and the best techniques to use them. We will also provide recommendations based on various river conditions, including clear, murky, and fast-moving waters. By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision on the best soft plastic lures for your trout fishing adventures.
Why Soft Plastic Fishing Lures Are Perfect for Trout in Rivers
Trout are an aggressive species that often feed on smaller baitfish, insects, and crustaceans. Soft plastic lures are ideal for mimicking these prey items, making them highly effective when targeting trout in rivers. Here are some reasons why soft plastic lures are perfect for river trout fishing:
1. Realistic Action
Soft plastic lures are designed to mimic the movement of live prey. The flexibility of the material allows the lures to have a lifelike action, such as the erratic darting motion of small baitfish or the subtle wiggle of an insect or worm. This realism makes soft plastics irresistible to trout.
2. Versatility Across River Conditions
Rivers can vary greatly in terms of current, depth, and clarity, and soft plastic fishing lures are versatile enough to be used in all of these environments. Whether you’re fishing in clear, fast-moving water or deeper, murky rivers, soft plastic lures can be rigged and retrieved to suit these conditions.
3. Ease of Use
For beginners, soft plastic lures are relatively easy to use. They require minimal technique—casting, letting the lure sink, and then retrieving it at various speeds. This simplicity makes them an excellent choice for trout anglers who are still learning the ropes.
4. Durability
Soft plastic lures are durable and can withstand multiple fish strikes before needing to be replaced. They also come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, allowing anglers to experiment and find the right combination to match the conditions and the trout’s feeding habits.
5. Customizability
Soft plastic lures can be customized to suit different river conditions. From selecting the right color to choosing the appropriate rigging method, anglers can tailor their setup to match the specific fishing environment.
Types of Soft Plastic Lures for Trout in Rivers
When selecting the best soft plastic fishing lures for trout in rivers, it’s important to understand the different types of lures available and how they work. Below are the most popular types of soft plastic lures for trout fishing:
1. Soft Plastic Worms
Soft plastic worms are versatile and commonly used for a variety of species, including trout. They come in various lengths and colors, allowing anglers to adapt to different fishing conditions. The slow, natural movement of worms in the water is especially effective when targeting trout, which are often found near the riverbed.
How They Work: When retrieved, worms typically have a slow, undulating motion, mimicking the movement of an insect or small baitfish. Worms are often rigged on a Carolina rig or a Texas rig, making them ideal for fishing in deeper or weedy areas.
Best For: Clear river waters, trout, and panfish.
How to Use: Cast the worm near structures, rocks, or submerged logs, and retrieve it slowly, allowing it to bounce along the bottom. Vary the retrieve speed to find what works best.
2. Soft Plastic Minnows
Soft plastic minnows are designed to replicate the swimming action of small fish, making them perfect for trout and other predatory fish species. These lures are often rigged on a jig head or weighted hook, making them ideal for fishing in deeper or faster-moving water.
How They Work: Minnow lures typically have a paddle tail that creates a lifelike swimming action. The tail produces vibrations and flashes of light, attracting trout from a distance.
Best For: Trout, bass, pike, and walleye.
How to Use: Rig the minnow on a jig head and retrieve it with a steady, smooth motion. Adjust the speed of your retrieve to match the trout’s feeding activity. A faster retrieve mimics a fleeing baitfish, while a slower retrieve simulates a wounded or dying fish.
3. Soft Plastic Crayfish Imitations
Crawfish (or crayfish) imitations are ideal for fishing in rivers where trout feed on bottom-dwelling creatures like crawfish. These lures are designed to resemble the shape and movement of a crawfish, complete with segmented bodies and pincers.
How They Work: Crawfish lures are typically rigged on a Texas rig or Carolina rig. When retrieved, they mimic the scuttling movement of a crawfish, which is a natural food source for trout.
Best For: Trout, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass.
How to Use: Fish the crawfish imitation along the riverbed, especially near rocky structures or submerged debris where crawfish are likely to be found. A slow retrieve with occasional pauses will simulate the crawling motion of a crawfish.
4. Soft Plastic Shrimp Imitations
Shrimp imitations are essential when fishing in rivers that are home to shrimp or other crustaceans. These lures are highly effective for trout, especially in estuaries and tidal river systems.
How They Work: Soft plastic shrimp lures feature segmented bodies and legs that create a lifelike, erratic motion when retrieved. These lures work well in both shallow and deep river sections, especially when trout are feeding on shrimp.
Best For: Trout, redfish, and flounder.
How to Use: Rig the shrimp imitation on a jig head and retrieve it slowly along the bottom, allowing the lure to mimic a shrimp’s natural movement. A slow, jerky retrieve works best for creating the “hopping” action of a shrimp.
5. Soft Plastic Swimbaits
Soft plastic swimbaits are designed to mimic the action of small baitfish swimming in the water. These lures are highly effective when trout are feeding on baitfish in the river.
How They Work: Swimbaits have a paddle tail or boot tail that creates a realistic swimming action in the water. The tail vibrates and kicks, making it ideal for attracting predatory fish like trout.
Best For: Trout, pike, bass, and walleye.
How to Use: Rig the swimbait on a jig head or weighted hook and retrieve it with a steady, continuous motion. Adjust the retrieve speed to match the activity level of the trout.
How to Choose the Best Soft Plastic Fishing Lures for Trout in Rivers
Choosing the best soft plastic fishing lures for trout in rivers depends on various factors such as water clarity, river flow, and trout behavior. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
1. Consider the Water Conditions
In clear water, trout are more likely to be cautious and selective, so subtle, natural-looking lures like soft plastic worms or minnows work best. In murky water, you may want to choose lures that create more vibration or flash, such as swimbaits or crayfish imitations.
2. Match the Hatch
Trout feed on a variety of prey, so it’s important to choose a soft plastic lure that mimics the local food source. If trout are feeding on baitfish, soft plastic minnows or swimbaits are great options. If they are feeding on bottom-dwelling creatures like crawfish, soft plastic crawfish imitations will be more effective.
3. Rigging the Lure
The way you rig your soft plastic lure will affect its action in the water. Beginners can start with simple rigging techniques like Texas rigs or Carolina rigs. For deeper water, jig heads work well, as they allow the lure to sink and create more movement on the retrieve.
4. Fishing Techniques
Vary your retrieval technique based on the water conditions and trout behavior. A steady retrieve is great for mimicking a swimming fish, while a slow, jerky retrieve is perfect for simulating a crawfish or shrimp. Experiment with different speeds and actions to see what works best in your local river.
Conclusion
Soft plastic fishing lures are an excellent choice for trout fishing in rivers, offering versatility, durability, and lifelike action. Whether you’re using swimbaits, crawfish imitations, or minnows, these lures can effectively mimic the prey species trout are likely to target. By selecting the right lure for the fishing conditions and mastering your retrieval techniques, you can significantly improve your chances of catching trout in rivers.
At Lurebolt, we offer a wide range of high-quality soft plastic fishing lures designed for river trout fishing. Visit