Freshwater trout fishing could be easily categorized as one of America’s true favorite past times. Every year, a countless number of anglers grab their rods and spinning reels, then head for the water in search of trout fishing adventure, many of which are highly successful in their endeavors.
However, to achieve this level of success, an angler must first draw the attention of trout, which are notoriously reluctant biters.
Throughout the years, many anglers have employed the use of commercial-grade trout attractants to increase their success while on the water.
These biodegradable attractants come in various forms, including paste, gel, and dough. The exact uses of these attractants also differ.
While some are intended to be used in combination with live bait or standard fishing lures, such as spinners, crankbaits, and soft plastic baits, others serve as both bait and attractant in one.
Selecting a trout attractant for use is largely a matter of personal preference. However, a number of such products stand out above the rest, due to their ease of use and overall effectiveness.
The following guide will highlight several of these premium attractants, and assist you in understanding the virtues associated with trout attractant use.
Table Of Contents
Best Fish Attractants For Trout
- Smelly Jelly Trout Feast Sticky Liquid (Our Top Pick)
- Berkley PowerBait (Best Budget)
- Pro-Cure Trophy Trout Super Gel (Best High End)
- Berkley PowerBait Natural Glitter Dough
- Atlas Fishing Bait’s Spawn Sacs
What Are The Different Types Of Fish Attractants For Trout?
Trout attractants are far from singular in nature. Products of this nature come in several different forms, each of which carries its own distinct value when used as directed.
Anglers who have a general knowledge of these individual attractant types are better able to select the ideal product for the circumstances at hand.
The following are a few of the most popular forms of trout attractant.
Gel Attractants
Gel attractants are generally intended to complement the use of standard fishing lures, or flies when fly fishing. A small amount of these attractants can also be added to live bait, such as crawfish, grubs, or nightcrawlers, for added attraction.
Gel attractants consist of various compounds, many of which are intended to exude the scent of shad, minnows, or other similar baitfish. Other types of gel attractants often feature alternative smells, such as that of anise.
Dough Attractants
Dough attractants are generally thick in consistency, much like that of similar catfish and carp baits. Attractants of this type can be compressed onto a treble hook, and used as a sole means of attraction, or can be balled onto the tip of a hook, found on a preexisting lure.
Dough baits tend to be a favorite of those fishing for stocked trout in ponds, hatcheries, or small reservoirs.
However, these trout baits can also be used when fishing in creeks, streams, and rivers.
Paste Attractants
Like dough baits, paste attractants can be used as a sole means of attraction or can be applied to the tip of a standard jig. Attractants of this type generally come in a small jar, and are somewhat less thick in consistency than traditional dough baits.
Berkley PowerBait is perhaps the most popular of all paste-style attractants and comes in a number of striking colors, such as chartreuse.
This provides yet another level of appeal when attempting to catch the attention of nearby rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, and steelheads.
Egg Attractants
Trout are notorious for their habit of feeding on the eggs of various fish species. As a result, many companies have begun producing their own egg-derived attractants, which effectively double as worthwhile trout baits.
In many cases, these attractants take the form of salmon eggs, which are fished beneath a bobber/float and swivel. The use of attractants of this type is known to be quite potent when attempting to catch trout of any kind.
What Do You Look For In The Best Fish Attractants For Trout?
There are a number of factors that come into play when searching for the best possible trout attractant. By giving each of these factors ample consideration, you will be better equipped to choose the best possible product for the situation at hand.
The following are several of the most important characteristics to look for when selecting a trout attractant for purchase.
Style Of Application
Prior to purchasing any form of trout attractant, an angler must first determine how they intend to use such a product.
If the fish in your given area are typically caught on artificial lures, that a gel-based attractant might provide your offerings with a higher degree of appeal.
On the other hand, if you have traditionally relied upon the use of live bait, then dough or paste-style attractants are a wise choice, as they can be presented in a similar manner.
Levels Of Appeal
Trout use every sensory function at their disposal, in order to determine whether or not an angler’s offering will serve as a worthy meal.
While some attractants appeal by scent, others harbor a certain level of visual appeal as well. Attractants such as PowerBait, come in a variety of colors, many of which cast a shimmer across the water when submerged.
This can be effective when fishing in heavily pressured waters.
Longevity
An attractant is of little value if its scent washes away after only minutes of use. Many lesser products have a difficult time stacking up in the longevity category, proving largely ineffective at providing sustained attraction. On the other hand, top-tier attractants provide long-lasting appeal, thereby drawing fish for a significantly longer period of time.
Best Fish Attractants For Trout Reviewed
1. Smelly Jelly Trout Feast Sticky Liquid – Best Overall
If the trout in your area routinely turn their noses up at traditional offerings, then Smelly Jelly Trout Feast Sticky Liquid can give you the edge that you have been looking for. This premium gel attractant is extremely sticky and provides long-lasting appeal in almost any situation. Smelly Jelly Sticky Liquid is also offered in many alternative scents, which allows an angler to throw stubborn trout a curveball. This attractant can is also perfect for use with any artificial bait or lure.
Pros
- Long-lasting composition
- Applies in seconds
- Comes in many different scents
Cons
- Smaller than average unit volume
Buy The Smelly Jelly Trout Feast Sticky Liquid On Amazon
2. Berkley PowerBait Fishing Soft Bait – Best Budget
Berkley is a name that carries a substantial amount of weight in the fishing industry. The company has gained quite the reputation for producing lures and attractants that catch fish in abundance, with PowerBait being no exception. PowerBait lures actually serve as a quality soft-bait, which comes pre-saturated in fish attractant. This eliminates any need for the purchase of stand-alone attractant, by providing an all-in-one solution to every trout fishing need.
Pros
- No need to purchase lures and attractant separately
- Provides life-like movement when retrieved
- Requires no reapplication of attractant
Cons
- Attractant can not be used on secondary baits or lures
Buy The Berkley PowerBait Fishing Soft Bait On Amazon
3. Pro-Cure Trophy Trout Super Gel – Best High End
If you are looking for a premium gel-style trout attractant that truly works, then Pro-Cure Trophy Trout Super Gel is worthy of a second look. This attractant is made from real bait, providing a high level of appeal that cannot be replicated by synthetic attractants. Trophy Trout Super Gel is also infused with UV enhancers, to catch the eye of passing fish, thereby triggering additional strikes. Due to its sticky composition, this attractant is ideal for use with artificial lures of any type.
Pros
- Long-lasting attraction
- Includes UV enhancers for additional visual appeal
- Perfect for use with artificial baits
Cons
- Higher than average retail price
Buy The Pro-Cure Trophy Trout Super Gel On Amazon
4. Berkley PowerBait Natural Glitter Trout Dough
Berkley PowerBait Natural Glitter Dough is perfect for those who commonly fish in ponds or still water reservoirs, though it can also be used to a high degree of success in moving water. This attractant is of a dough-style composition, which can be easily applied to any treble hook, thereby providing long-lasting appeal. Natural Glitter Dough also comes in a wide variety of colors, all of which are intended to catch the eye of even the most discerning of trout.
Pros
- Easily Applied to any treble hook
- Provides long-lasting attraction
- Comes in a wide variety of colors
Cons
- Does not hold up as well in heavy current
Buy The Berkley PowerBait Natural Glitter Trout Dough On Amazon
5. Atlas Fishing Bait Spawn Sacs
Every experienced angler is well aware of the freshwater trout’s fondness for salmon eggs. However, one can now harness the attraction of salmon eggs, in order to catch more fish, with the use of Atlas Fishing Bait’s Spawn Sacs. This attractant features real salmon eggs, encased in a nylon sac, which allows the scent to leach out into the surrounding waters. Due to their high level of scent discharge, Spawn Sacs are ideal for use in rivers or streams, where natural current prevails.
Pros
- Far easier to rig and use than individual salmon eggs
- Provides superior scent dispersal
- Perfect for use in rivers and streams
Cons
- One package only contains 6 Spawn Sacs
Buy The Atlas Fishing Bait Spawn Sacs On Amazon
Final Thoughts On Fish Attractants For Trout
If you fancy the notion of catching fish in substantial numbers, then the use of commercial trout attractant is worthy of your time.
Products of this nature are largely effective at drawing strikes from trout, especially those which tend to be reluctant biters. However, not all trout attractants are created equally.
When selecting a commercial trout attractant for purchase, it is important to consider such a product’s characteristics of value.
Premium attractants should be applicable to your particular style of fishing, provide multi-faceted appeal, and should not require continuous reapplication. Products fitting this bill will be sure to enhance every second of time spent on the water.