Thread: New to trout Softbaiting

Hey, I've done a lot of fishing before for trout on fly and spin and saltwater inc softbait but never softbaited for trout.

About to try and get the kids into fishing and thought it would be a good excuse to try.

Just had a few questions.

What size Jig heads should I get? For big rivers e.g. lower manawatu

What type of braid is best? I've always used mono before

Should I use a fluro Leader like with spinners?

What Knots?

Do I use a Swivel above the leader?

Thanks!

to get kids into fishing...if its allowed,consider using worms....for them.... it will keep them occupied,they can sit and read book,play on phone as long as stay close to rod and will actually catch fish.nothing puts them off faster than not catching anything for hours of cast and retrieve.... and it will cost YOU much less in lost gear.
sorry cant help on soft bait thing as havent come out of dark ages myself yet.

Best knot...the 'Uni-knot'.
I used this for years. Even to tie on a fly.
Leave the loop slightly loose and the mono doesn't influence the sit of the fly.
Allows the fly/lure to act more natural.
Also helps then as a built in 'shock absorber' once a fish strikes. The Uni-knot tightens up then, but that wee bit of give as it does tighten can help to absorb some of the shock.
It's the only knot you may ever need.
https://fishingmag.co.nz/knots-for-fishing/uni-knot
Soft baits? I loved 'Mr.Twister' baits.
The 'Curly tail' is great.
https://www.mistertwister.com/products/lures/
You buy the hooks that have a weighted head on them, and slide the Mr. twister on to that hook.
1/4oz, 1/2oz maybe. Depends on depth/speed of water...but I always used the lighter weights.
Mono is fine.
All the above works for trout, and also Kahawai, etc.
https://fishingmag.co.nz/saltwater-f...graham-andrews

I wouldnt start kids on softbaits as learning the 'feel' of dropping and lifting the softbait so it pulses in little swim bursts is not easy to learn, even for grown ups

If you want to get kids hooked google take a kid fishing. according to uncle google Hokowhitu lagoon is the place for you. I belive it happens nationwide where they release lots of trout into small lakes /ponds then on the chosen day have kids take a lesson and catch a fish. Nothing worse for a kid than spending hours throwing rocks at ducks err I mean learning to catch nothing.
Good luck on your quest to introduce your kids to fishing.

Originally Posted by Grey Kiwi

Best knot...the 'Uni-knot'.
I used this for years. Even to tie on a fly.
Leave the loop slightly loose and the mono doesn't influence the sit of the fly.
Allows the fly/lure to act more natural.
Also helps then as a built in 'shock absorber' once a fish strikes. The Uni-knot tightens up then, but that wee bit of give as it does tighten can help to absorb some of the shock.
It's the only knot you may ever need.
https://fishingmag.co.nz/knots-for-fishing/uni-knot
Soft baits? I loved 'Mr.Twister' baits.
The 'Curly tail' is great.
https://www.mistertwister.com/products/lures/
You buy the hooks that have a weighted head on them, and slide the Mr. twister on to that hook.
1/4oz, 1/2oz maybe. Depends on depth/speed of water...but I always used the lighter weights.
Mono is fine.
All the above works for trout, and also Kahawai, etc.
https://fishingmag.co.nz/saltwater-f...graham-andrews

Thanks

What size hooks are you using on the jigs? I had a look in h&f but the smallest they had in 1/4 oz is 3/0. Maybe need to find specific freshwater ones?

Also what size lures did you go for? I use between 1/2 - 2 inch spinners is it the same for softbaits?

Originally Posted by chindit

If you want to get kids hooked google take a kid fishing. according to uncle google Hokowhitu lagoon is the place for you. I belive it happens nationwide where they release lots of trout into small lakes /ponds then on the chosen day have kids take a lesson and catch a fish. Nothing worse for a kid than spending hours throwing rocks at ducks err I mean learning to catch nothing.
Good luck on your quest to introduce your kids to fishing.

Yeah they do release into hoko lagoon, I used to work down that road me and a mate used to go at lunchtime the week after the event there were heaps in there

Not sure when the next is but the lagoon would be a good place to practice casting and retrieving to start without current

For hooks I used mainly 1/4oz weight.
Like this...notice that the weighted head is designed so that the hook point is up. Stops the hook fouling if you drag it over weed.
Never bothered how big the hook size. Trout have a big mouth.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...4?bof=TZzA1d9w
I have used plastic worms mounted on to a hook and put a wee split-shot a few inches above it.
Drop that in a stream, etc and let it drift. Also works well at dams (Tekapo before 'everyone' found out about it!).
Worms...something like this. I used the genuine Mr.Twister (brown) worms. Thread them on the hook a few turns so that the worm travels a tad 'bunched up'.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...3?bof=TZzA1d9w
Curly tails...like this, but I preferred the light coloured ones. Your trout may differ.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...1?bof=TZzA1d9w
These are new...never tried them, but they look good.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...2?bof=TZzA1d9w
Don't waste time and $$ with crayfish looking baits. Never ever fooled a trout for me.
Be aware that you will need a 'worm proof' carry box as the plastic lures will eat into a normal plastic. Your Tupperware container should stay in the kitchen.

Thanks all. Re the kids, I've got a few different tackle options so will see how we go, to be honest it's more about hanging out with Dad and going down the river at their age. If we last 10 mins I'll be happy. But plant the seed young hopefully they'll get into it. I still remember my Dad teaching me and my brother, time mainly spent untangling birds nests...

Grey Kiwi thanks a lot for the detailed replies, appreciate you taking the time I will order a few bits and have a go.

Paddle tail softies can be retrieved just like spinners. Hook size 2. 2 inch softies. Lightest jig head you can get away with, i.e. 1/6 ounce. So much tackle available now. Check out Zman softies and TT Lures jig heads. Light fluorocarbon leader, maybe 4lb depending on environment. Braid mainline, I use 6lb. Uni-knot to tie jig head on. No swivels!

I would start with two rods. One with a float and worm and one with a running weight and worm or Huhu. Leave the rods with the bail arm back on the reels and build sand castles, forts etc while waiting

Hi @cbfb I fish the Manawatu river and have had a lot of luck on the soft baits. I use mono 6lb line with a snap swivel clip for quick and easy changes(the snap swivel will help your kids) if they not having luck a quick change without having to tie a knot.
Here is a few on softies from the Manawatu River.

That is one of my favs the lumo green.


Lumo again


Plenty of saft baits to choose from.


I use that heavy ball weight jig 4gm or 5gm for really deap pools.

This brown was pulled out of a deep pool in the Manawatu River with the ball weight jig head.


If you are on FB check out "Dundees Trout Adventures" scroll thru and you will see more soft bait action on our local river.

And a decent knife there as well.

Originally Posted by Dundee

Hi @cbfb I fish the Manawatu river and have had a lot of luck on the soft baits. I use mono 6lb line with a snap swivel clip for quick and easy changes(the snap swivel will help your kids) if they not having luck a quick change without having to tie a knot.
Here is a few on softies from the Manawatu River.

Thanks heaps, sorry only just seen this post.

Good to see there's a few trout in the local river.