By Brad Wiegmann
Fly fishing for trout is greatly overrated. Sure the complexity and art of casting maybe intriguing to a few, but should trout fishing really be so challenging? That’s probably why so many anglers use spinning tackle instead when fishing for trout.
Trout fishing below man-made dams continue to draw thousands of novices to expert anglers out fishing every year. Tailwaters below manmade dams form some of the best trout fishing streams across America. In these cold waters consistently stocked with catchable trout serve not only as a source of angling entertainment, but also a delicious meal.
One popular destination for trout anglers is the White River. Trout anglers come from across the United States to fish this river in northern Arkansas. It’s renowned for outstanding rainbow and brown trout fishing below Bull Shoals Dam in the prestigious Ozark Mountains.
“I have guided for 30 years now on the White River below Bull Shoals Dam for trout. Every year anglers come to fish this great fishery. Some I take out will use fly fishing tackle, but the majority of them use spinning tackle,” said White River trout fishing guide Frank Saksa.
Saksa is one of the knowledgeable and expert trout fishing guides that’s employed by Gaston’s Resort on the White River. His client ranges from experienced to novice. For Saksa it doesn’t matter as long as he can put them on fish and the clients catch them.
His specialty is using artificial lures to catch trout. Some days can be challenging, but Saksa always finds a technique and lure that will catch them.
“My three favorite lures are marabou jigs, small spoons and stickbaits.”
The marabou jigs will weigh from 1/16- to 1/8-ounce. What size he uses depends on current flow and depth fishing. His favorite colors are black, white and brown.
He prefers having clients fish with small spoons when fishing for numbers of rainbow trout. “I really like how easy it is for clients to catch trout with small spoons like the Buoyant spoon made by Thomas Spinning Lures in gold/red. All they have to do is get the right speed retrieve and its seductive wobble seduces trout into biting,” said Saksa.
Stickbaits are Saksa’s favorite lure for catching big rainbow or brown trout. He likes either a floating or suspending version 3- to 5-inches long in river slick, rainbow or sucker minnow color patterns matching the natural forage base. Saksa noted that at least three units being discharged from the dam was imperative for angling success when fishing a stickbait.
When it comes to tackle for trout fishing Saksa likes spinning tackle. He favors a fishing rod with a soft tip allowing anglers to cast jigs, spoons and stickbaits long distances.
On a recent trip out trout fishing with Saksa, we used the WaveSpin Reels Legend 250 and DHxL spinning reel. Both were spooled up with six pound test monofilament fishing line, however, Saksa recommends that anglers spool up with 4-, 6-, or 8-pound fluorocarbon fishing line for better results. “Fluorocarbon fishing line sinks allowing the lure to stay in the right strike zone longer and that equals in to more bites,” said Saksa.
Because of the lighter fishing line and tendency for line twist or tangles, Saksa emphasized a high quality reel. He also uses reels with superior drag systems allowing him to land even the biggest of trout swimming in the White River. His preference was the larger sized WaveSpin DHxL with its larger spool size compared to the smaller Legend 250, but loved both with a clicking drag release system.
“I also like a reel that makes noise when a fish is pulling on the drag of a spinning reel. It’ lets me know if the fish is pulling against the drag and how big the trout maybe without seeing it. There’s nothing better than to hear that drag being pulled out,” said Saksa
All WaveSpin Reels feature the guaranteed no tangle technology. It’s an exclusive spinning reel designed to eliminate tangles, loops or bird nests. In addition to a super smooth, durable drag system able to handle big trout in a strong current.
When fishing on the White River, Saksa encouraged anglers to pay attention to water flow. “You just have to change lures as the conditions change. In the end, presentation is the most important thing when it comes to fishing for trout in the White River,” said Saksa.
Simplicity is the key to catching and having fun trout fishing. Spinning tackle allows anglers the opportunity to cast and catch trout on artificial lures without challenging them. For novice and expert anglers that’s what it’s all about casting, hooking and landing fish.
Brad Wiegmann
Online Contributor
Brad Wiegmann just wants to fish, but his wife told him to get a job so he works as a freelance outdoor writer and photographer when not fishing. Brad has written for countless magazines and websites, and been featured, which includes Arkansas Sportsman, Southern Outdoors, Outdoor Life, and Bassmaster. Besides being a freelance outdoor writer and photographer, Brad also has his own award winning website www.BradWiegmann.com.
