>>616143>1) At what point do you attempt to set the hook? As I understand if the tip of your rod is twitching that tends to mean the trout is testing the bait, so I tend to wait until the rod bends before I try to set the hook. Is that right? Sometimes I get trout swallowing the bait which makes me feel bad for it, on the other hand if I try to set earlier the fish gets away.Power bait is kinda fucked because your hook is normally covered with bait, making it extremely difficult to get a safe proper hookset. I've used worms with a small marshmallow to keep it just off the bottom. Set the hook 1-2 seconds after getting a nibble so they don't swallow it.
>2) What's the correct way to fight the trout? I tend to use max drag and reel the guy in but I hear that's a pleb way to do it. Should I loosen the drag and let the fish pull the line out when it wants to, then reel it when it's swimming more in my direction?Depends on how big the trout are. <15 inches they might start stripping line with a medium to loose drag. In that case just let them run, but don't give them any slack in the line throughout the fight, don't horse them in. Any smaller trout doesn't really matter, just real them up. About looking like a pleb, you're pond trout fishing, there's no way not to look like a pleb.
>3) Do any of you guys use equipment like depth finders, or just trial and error? Should I look for trout in shallower waters as winter approaches? Another anon might be able to help you out on this, I would recommend trial and error. Each body of water is going to be different.
>4) Right now I stick with a Carolina rig with about 2 feet of leader. Is there another rig worth a shot with trout?Pretty good rig for bait fishing on the bottom. You might want to cast some panther martins also.
