Catchbook - Social Fishing Network

Spinning for Sea Trout is a highly effective method, particularly when the river is in full flood and flyfishing is not an option, and can provide excellent sport if the correct tackle is used.

My view on the correct tackle is a light spinning rod, such as the Grey's GRIX 9ft travel spin, weighted around 15-35grm so that your average sea trout can put up a good fight.  During the summer I always leave my heavier longer spinning rods at home when fishing primarily Sea Trout waters and the shorter rods are far better at flicking spinners into those dark underhanging banks and root stumps. I don't go light on the line, however, always using 15IB test monofiliament when I go spinning. Sea trout go down around round rocks, into and under underwater snags very quickly and generally I find lighter lines get frayed quickly and end up breaking. Resulting in you may losing spinners or worse a spinners in fish, which is distressing for the fish  and unexcusable. I have always held a belief that even in clearer water if a fish is switched on by a spinner it will take it regardless of line diameter. Also i find if the water really is that clear that the fish might be spooked by the spinning line diameter then flyfishing after dark will be more effective.  Reel wise any decent small spinning reel that matches your rod will suffice.... i use a shimano baitrunner... but i have a friend who has his grandfathers old mitchell reels still loaded with yellow braided cotton and these have caught countless fish. One point on reels is make sure your drag is set lightly enough throughout your fishing day as I when forgetting this is impressive how quickly the thrashing Sea Trout on the surface loses the spinner.

When choosing spinners or lures personal confidence is important. Sea trout love bladed spinners. So mepps are very effective and black flying "C's" are also deadly, in 10grm and 15 grm and my personal favorite. To fish a flying "C" for sea trout during the summer i cast upstream into all fast boulder strewn runs and pools, sometimes into suprisingly shallow water, and retrieve at a quick to very quick pace. It is amazing how fast a sea trout wants the spinner to be going at times and i have discovered and forgotten this fact many times coming from spring fishing in cold water to a warmer summer flood.

Rapala lures are also deadly for sea trout especially floating ones in the smaller sizes post flood. I ve found the new rattling suspending glass shad rap's, which i orginally bought to fish for sea bass, to be my most successful rapala.

In heavy floods i find tobies and morrum spoons pick up more fish and have landed sea trout up to 17lbs on these baits. During the day, in normal water conditions, if you want to know how many sea trout are in a pool, prior to night fishing or you just wish to see how many fish are in the river, casting a small 10grm toby under overhanging trees and into shaded corners of the pool and slowly retrieving often brings a response from sea trout resting in these spots. Without colour in the water they rarely take, except early in the morning or late at night, but you get to see the numders and gauge the size of the sea trout within the pool.

Upper Mawddach in full flood perfect for spinning for large sea trout

3lb 6oz Sea Trout from the upper Mawddach