Hi everyone, I have had some recent trouble while fishing for trout. I would be using a 1/4-1/2oz kastmaster while fishing for trout. Every time I would get a bit, I would fight it for 5 seconds and the trout would pop off. I know that trout have boney mouths, so is there a special way to set the hook, or any tips to help my keep these fish pinned?

Trout actually have pretty soft mouths and they're usually pretty small compared to the size of the fish. What gear are you using? I had issues keeping them hooked for awhile until I found I was fighting them too hard and tearing the hooks out. 

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Trout actually have pretty soft mouths and they're usually pretty small compared to the size of the fish. What gear are you using? I had issues keeping them hooked for awhile until I found I was fighting them too hard and tearing the hooks out. 

I am using a ML power rod, fast action spinning rod and reel. Would you suggest a Light power rod instead?

I replace all trebles with a singe siwash hook, and use an appropriate rated fast rod.  I set the hook like I would with a spinnerbait.

 

I think the whole "soft mouth, bony mouth" debate stems from size.  Little trout can have soft mouths, but once they're mature, and over 15", I don't think you'll be lipping them.

The hookup to landing ratio with a kastmaster spoon is horrible on trout. I very rarely use spoons for trout because of this. Try a small gulp minnow on a jighead!

3 minutes ago, everythingthatswims said:

The hookup to landing ratio with a kastmaster spoon is horrible on trout. I very rarely use spoons for trout because of this. Try a small gulp minnow on a jighead!

 

Seriously?  You're doing something wrong. 

As Bluebasser said.  Their mouths are soft.  I would bet you are ripping it out the hook. 

You guys must be catching baby trout.  All the ones I catch have tough, bony jaws, and I wouldn't want to lip them.  Video shows the spoon with the hook mod, and if you listen carefully you can hear the "pop" when I remove the hook.

 

 

Kastmasters have very dull hooks. Either sharpen them very, very well or replace them. Dull hooks are the number one reason fish come unbuttoned. 

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

You guys must be catching baby trout.  All the ones I catch have tough, bony jaws, and I wouldn't want to lip them.  Video shows the spoon with the hook mod, and if you listen carefully you can hear the "pop" when I remove the hook.

 

 

Do steel heads have bonier mouths than freshwater rainbow trout?

I can't comment on steelhead. I can comment a bit on rainbows and browns. Trout do have teeth (hence Francho's comment).  On smaller trout, especially, their mouths and jaws are more fragile than say, bass, walleye, crappie, etc. 

10 hours ago, J Francho said:

You guys must be catching baby trout.  All the ones I catch have tough, bony jaws, and I wouldn't want to lip them.  Video shows the spoon with the hook mod, and if you listen carefully you can hear the "pop" when I remove the hook.

Ours are all fresh off the truck stockers, I wonder if that makes a difference? I know ours are babies compared to what you're getting up there, but I've caught several in the 4-6 pound range and they still have soft mouths. 

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Ours are all fresh off the truck stockers, I wonder if that makes a difference? I know ours are babies compared to what you're getting up there, but I've caught several in the 4-6 pound range and they still have soft mouths.

 

That definitely makes a difference.  "Steelhead" are simply rainbow trout that have responded to favorable environs - food, water quality, etc.  The process is called smoltification.  Trout raised in fish races (long pools) don't benefit from this, though can get pretty big.  I'll try to find a picture of a male with the typical kype jaw.

I'm with the ones who say to check the hook sharpness. Seems to be good advice anytime the fish are getting off.

Try to not let the fish get its head out of the water. I lost a 10# rainbow on a Kastmaster. Reeled it all the way in when it lifted its head out of the water and shook the spoon free.