6 Effective Brook Trout Fishing Baits

We love fishing for brook trout. These beautiful fish are a joy to catch and a treat to eat. But finding the right bait can be tricky. Brook trout are picky eaters, and their tastes change with the seasons.

We’ve spent hours on the water, trying different lures and baits. Some days, we caught plenty. Other days, we went home empty-handed. Through trial and error, we’ve learned what works best.

Now, we want to share our findings with you. We’ve put together a list of top baits for brook trout. These are the lures that consistently attract bites, no matter the conditions.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best options for different seasons and water types. We’ll explain why each bait works and how to use it effectively. Our goal is to help you catch more brook trout on your next fishing trip.

Eppinger Dardevle Fishing Bait

The Eppinger Dardevle is a classic fishing lure that’s been around for over a century. This spoon-style bait is known for its unique wiggling action in the water, which can attract a variety of fish, including brook trout.

Eppinger Dardevle comes in different sizes and colors. The most common are red and white stripes or yellow with red diamonds. These bright colors can be effective in catching a brook trout’s eye, especially in clear water.

This lure is made of brass with nickel plating, which gives it durability and resistance to corrosion. This means it can withstand repeated use in both fresh and saltwater environments.

One of the standout features of the Eppinger Dardevle is its built-in wobble. As you reel it in, the lure swings from side to side, mimicking the movement of small fish. This action can trigger a predatory response in brook trout, encouraging them to strike.

We found the Eppinger Dardevle to be versatile. It can be used for casting or trolling, making it suitable for different fishing styles and conditions. This lure’s weight allows for long casts, which can be helpful when trying to reach brook trout in deeper pools or under overhanging banks.

However, the Eppinger Dardevle isn’t without its drawbacks. Some anglers might find it less effective in very shallow or heavily vegetated areas where brook trout often hide. The treble hook can also sometimes get snagged on underwater obstacles.

The Eppinger Dardevle seems best suited for anglers fishing in clear, open waters where brook trout have room to chase the lure. It’s a simple yet effective option that has stood the test of time in the world of trout fishing.

Dardevle Fishing Bait

The Dardevle fishing bait is a classic spoon-style lure that has been around for over a century. Made by Eppinger, this lure comes in various sizes and colors, with the most popular being red and white stripes or yellow with red diamonds. These bright colors can catch a brook trout’s eye, especially in clear water.

Dardevle fishing baits are made of brass with nickel plating, giving them durability and resistance to corrosion. This means they can withstand repeated use in both fresh and saltwater environments. The built-in wobble is a standout feature. As you reel it in, Dardevle swings from side to side, mimicking the movement of small fish. This action can trigger a predatory response in brook trout.

We found the Dardevle to be versatile. It can be used for casting or trolling, making it suitable for different fishing styles and conditions. This lure’s weight allows for long casts, which can be helpful when trying to reach brook trout in deeper pools or under overhanging banks.

However, Dardevle isn’t without drawbacks. It may be less effective in very shallow or heavily vegetated areas where brook trout often hide. The treble hook can sometimes get snagged on underwater obstacles.

Dardevle fishing baits seem best suited for anglers fishing in clear, open waters where brook trout have room to chase the lure. They’re a simple yet effective option that has stood the test of time in the world of trout fishing.

Little Cleo Spoon

The Little Cleo Spoon is a popular lure for brook trout fishing. This spoon-style bait comes in various sizes and colors, making it versatile for different fishing conditions.

Little Cleo Spoons feature a unique wide body with rounded edges and a slightly concave construction. This design creates a dramatic wobbling action in the water, which can be irresistible to brook trout. This lure’s movement mimics a wounded baitfish, often triggering strikes from predatory fish.

These spoons are effective for both casting and trolling. They work particularly well when cast upstream and retrieved slowly through a run or tailout. The current helps create a fluttering and rolling action as the lure moves downstream, which is especially attractive to brook trout.

Little Cleo Spoons come in weights ranging from 1/6 oz to 1/4 oz, allowing anglers to choose the right size for their target brook trout and fishing conditions. Smaller sizes work well in streams and rivers, while larger sizes can be effective in lakes or for trolling.

One standout feature of the Little Cleo Spoon is its effectiveness in slower water. Its perfect flutter as the current slows down can be a brook trout magnet, imitating a wounded baitfish swept through faster currents.

Little Cleo Spoons are best suited for anglers fishing in clear, open waters where brook trout have room to chase the lure. They can be particularly effective when fish are actively feeding on small baitfish.

Super Duper Fishing Bait

The Super Duper fishing bait is a classic lure that has stood the test of time for brook trout fishing. This U-shaped spoon comes in various sizes and colors, making it versatile for different fishing conditions.

Super Duper’s unique design creates a distinctive swimming action in the water. As you retrieve it, the lure wobbles and flutters, mimicking a wounded baitfish. This movement can trigger strikes from hungry brook trout, even in challenging conditions.

For brook trout fishing, anglers often prefer the smaller sizes of Super Duper, typically 1 inch to 1-1/4 inches. Popular color choices include silver with a red head, gold, and various prism finishes that add extra flash in the water.

Super Duper fishing baits work well for both casting and trolling. When casting, a slow retrieve often works best for brook trout. This lure’s weight allows for long, accurate casts, helping you reach those hard-to-access spots where brook trout hide.

One standout feature of the Super Duper is its effectiveness in various water types. It performs well in streams, rivers, and lakes, making it a go-to choice for brook trout anglers in different settings.

Super Duper fishing baits are best suited for anglers targeting brook trout in various water conditions. They’re particularly effective when fish are actively feeding on small baitfish.

Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner

The Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner is a popular inline spinner lure for brook trout fishing. This versatile lure comes in various sizes and colors, making it suitable for different fishing conditions.

Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners feature a patented two-part body made of machined brass. This design emits low-frequency sound vibrations that attract brook trout and trigger strikes. The spinner’s blade starts spinning easily, even at slow retrieval speeds, which can be crucial when fishing for brook trout in slower-moving waters.

For brook trout fishing, anglers often prefer smaller sizes of the Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner, typically sizes 0 to 2. These smaller sizes mimic the small baitfish that brook trout often feed on. This lure comes in various finishes, including painted, printed, and UV Bright options, allowing anglers to match local forage or stand out in different water conditions.

Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners work well in both streams and rivers. They perform exceptionally well in faster, bigger water where their vibrations can travel further and attract brook trout from a distance. This lure’s weight allows for accurate casts, helping you reach those hard-to-access spots where brook trout hide.

One standout feature of the Blue Fox Vibrax Spinner is its ability to reduce line twist, a common issue with many inline spinners. This can be particularly beneficial during long fishing sessions for brook trout.

Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners are best suited for brook trout anglers fishing in streams and rivers with moderate to fast currents. They’re particularly effective when brook trout are actively feeding on small baitfish or when you need to cover more water quickly.

Kastmaster Fishing Bait

The Kastmaster fishing bait is a versatile lure that has been popular among brook trout anglers for decades. This solid brass lure comes in various sizes and colors, making it suitable for different brook trout fishing conditions.

Kastmaster’s simple yet effective design mimics the action of an injured baitfish. Its unique side-to-side darting movement can trigger strikes from brook trout, even in challenging situations. This lure’s aerodynamic shape allows for long, accurate casts, helping anglers reach distant spots where brook trout often hide.

For brook trout fishing, smaller Kastmaster sizes like 1/12 oz and 1/8 oz are often preferred. Gold and silver finishes work well in clear waters, while brighter colors can be effective in murky conditions.

Kastmaster fishing baits excel in both lakes and rivers. In lakes, they can cover large areas quickly, making them ideal for locating brook trout. In rivers with slower flows and deeper pools, Kastmasters can be retrieved upstream to imitate struggling baitfish.

One standout feature of the Kastmaster is its versatility. Anglers can use it for casting, trolling, or vertical jigging when brook trout fishing. This lure’s solid construction ensures durability, even after repeated use in various water conditions.

Kastmaster fishing baits are best suited for brook trout anglers who fish in diverse water conditions and prefer a lure that can be used with multiple techniques. They’re particularly effective when brook trout are actively feeding on small baitfish.