Trout fishermen employ numerous tactics to catch fish in respectable numbers. These tactics are specifically chosen for their ability to entice strikes, within a given situation or set of circumstances.
When the correct tactic is matched to the situation at hand, stellar fishing often results.
Of these various trout fishing tactics, few are as beloved by anglers as jigging, especially when attempting to catch large lake trout.
Jigging itself can take on several distinct forms, including deepwater jigging, vertical jigging, and jigging within an ice fishing application.
However, in order to make the most of any style of jig fishing, an angler must select the proper jig for the task at hand.
The following guide will assist you in finding the perfect jig, for almost any trout fishing application.
Table Of Contents
Best Jigs For Lake Trout
- Strike King Rage Swimmer (Our Top Pick)
- Acme Kastmaster Spoon (Best Budget)
- Marabou Jig Kit (Best High End)
- Berkley Powerbait
- Enterprises Bucktail Jig
What Do You Look For In The Best Jigs For Lake Trout?
Choosing the perfect jig for your next trout fishing excursion can be somewhat difficult at times. The market is quite heavily saturated with an endless number of trout jigs, which come in a wide array of styles, shapes, colors, and configurations.
The following are several notable attributes to look for when selecting the best possible jig for catching lake trout.
Realism
A jig intended for use when pursuing lake trout should be as realistic as possible, and accurately represent the particular prey that it is intended to imitate.
While not all lures are intended to look like a certain form of prey, such as minnows, shad, or other baitfish, those that are should be accurate in appearance, and should “flutter” or “swim” upon retrieval.
Size
The size of jig used when trout fishing often varies by situation. While larger jigs, such as those of a swimbait configuration, tend to be a favorite when trolling, smaller crappie style jigs are highly effective at coaxing bites from reluctant trout.
In most cases, the size of a particular jig should be matched to that of the prey, on which trout are actively feeding.
Weight
Many jigs are naturally weighted or are affixed to a jig head of a certain designated weight. The exact weight of a jig determines the rate at which it falls through the water column.
Heavier jigs tend to sink toward deep water much quicker than lightweight jigs. This is important for an angler to know, as the sink rate of a lure ultimately influences its retrieval.
Style
Trout jigs come in many different styles and configurations, all of which serve their own specific purpose. Small, crappie-style jigs are ideal for vertical jigging, as are jigging spoons.
Soft plastic swimbaits tend to be highly effective when pursuing lakers that are actively feeding on panfish or shad.
Meanwhile, spinner-type jigs are perfect at imitating minnows.
Color
In many cases, the color of a particular trout jig can directly impact its effectiveness in a given situation. When fishing heavily stained or murky waters, bright vibrantly colored jigs provide a heightened level of attraction. However, naturally colored jigs tend to prevail when fishing clear to moderately clear waters.
What Are The Different Types of Jigs For Lake Trout?
Jigs come in many different forms, all of which prove valuable when used in a strategic manner. The following are several of the most popular forms of trout fishing jigs.
Soft Plastics
As their name would suggest, soft plastic jigs are molded of plastic or rubber. This allows jigs of this nature to be pliable, thereby making them responsive to drag when moved throughout the water.
In most cases, this drag produces a realistic swimming motion. Soft plastic jigs also come in a number of sizes, shapes, and colors.
Marabou Jigs
Marabou jigs consist of a weighted jig head, shrouded in a feathered skirt. When retrieved the skirt of such a jig flutters, producing a swim-like motion.
In turn, fish often perceive Marabou jigs as baitfish, which in turn triggers a predatory response. Marabou jigs can be purchased in numerous colors, sizes, and weights.
Bucktail Jigs
Much like Marabou jigs, bucktail jigs consist of a jig head and hook, shrouded by a skirt.
However, the skirts found on bucktail jigs are composed of real or synthetic hair. This hair moves about in an enticing manner, while being retrieved at varying rates of speed.
Jigging Spoons
Jigging spoons are constructed of metal, such as brass, and fitted with a treble hook. When retrieved, lures of this type accurately imitate a minnow or various other types of baitfish.
Jigging spoons can also be purchased in a wide variety of colors.
Best Jigs For Lake Trout Reviewed
1. Strike King Rage Swimmer – Best Overall
When fishing on lakes that are home to flourishing baitfish populations, there are few better lake trout baits than the Strike King Rage Swimmer.
These soft plastic lures swim in the most realistic of manner and can be jigged to mimic injured or dying minnows/shad. In essence, the Strike King Rage is as close to using live bait as one can get, with the use of a soft plastic lure.
Aside from its use as a jig, the Strike King Rage Swimmer is also an excellent choice when trolling open water, in a bid to locate isolated pockets of fish.
With eleven different color combinations to choose from, anglers can also match their selection of lure to the individual conditions of any lake.
Pros
- Versatile in use
- Multiple colors to choose from
- Replicates actions of live bait
Cons
- Might be somewhat large for smaller fish
Buy The Strike King Rage Swimmer On Amazon
2. Acme Kastmaster Spoon Fishing Lure – Best Budget
If you are in search of a durable spoon to satisfy all of your trout fishing needs, then the Acme Kastmaster Spoon is an excellent place to start.
This spoon is machined from solid brass and is guaranteed not to bend, break, or corrode, making it ideal for use in a variety of conditions. The Acme Kastmaster is also available in 37 different color combinations.
This spoon, when rigged with monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braided line of 15-30 pound test, presents a realistic swimming action, which accurately imitates baitfish.
The Acme Kastmaster is also ideal for use in ice fishing applications, as it can be easily jigged at any depth where fish are indicated with the use of sonar, such as a flasher/fishfinder.
As a bonus, spoons of this type are also quite potent at catching muskies and walleye.
Pros
- Excellent for ice fishing applications
- Simple to fish
- Accurately imitates baitfish
Cons
- Can be somewhat limited in uses
Buy The Acme Kastmaster Spoon Fishing Lure On Amazon
3. Marabou Jigs Fishing Lures Kit – Best High End
Marabou jigs tend to be quite effective when attempting to catch many different species, including trout. Jigs of this type feature a feathered skirt, which is attached to a weighted jig head.
Upon retrieval, a Marabou jig’s skirt flutters, thereby presenting a lively action.
This Marabou Jig Kit comes complete with twenty individual jigs, which span a number of different color combinations.
The jigs contained within this kit also range from 1/32 to ⅛ ounce in weight. Purchase of this nature will provide an angler with all that they need, in order to make the most out of vertical jigging for freshwater lake trout.
Pros
- Excellent all-around attraction
- Appeals to multiple species of fish
- Can be fished at most any depth
Cons
- Higher price point than other jig kits
Buy The Marabou Jigs Fishing Lures Kit On Amazon
4. Berkley PowerBait Fishing Soft Bait
Berkley is well known by anglers, for the company’s stellar attention to detail when producing their line of premium soft plastic baits.
The manufacturer produces numerous individual types of soft plastic lures, including tube jigs, worms, crawfish, and minnows.
This relative diversity places numerous options at an avid trout angler’s disposal.
Many who enjoy lake trout fishing, will appreciate the vibrant action presented by Berkley’s line of soft plastic baits.
Each bait within this series displays life-like motion, during retrieval, and is molded of ultra-durable plastic resin. If a day on the water proves difficult, dig a pack of Berkley PowerBait out of the tackle box, and turn your luck around.
Pros
- Multiple sizes for different applications
- Variety of scents and flavors
- Life-like motion for fish attraction
Cons
- Tubes will tear with use
Buy The Berkley PowerBait Fishing Soft Bait On Amazon
5. Bucktail Jig For Trout
The Croft Enterprises Bucktail Jig is the perfect option for any angler who wishes to draw strikes from big fish, which often reside in deeper water.
Jigs of this nature feature lengthy skirts that pulsate when being retrieved. This, in turn, portrays a swimming motion, which triggers a predatory response from awaiting trout.
Croft Enterprises has upped the ante, with the design of their bucktail jigs, by adding colored mylar to each lure’s tail segment, as well as red eyes to all jig heads.
This provides a higher level of visual appeal, thereby coaxing bites from otherwise reluctant fish.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant hook
- Realistic underwater motion
- Appeals to multiple species of fish
Cons
- An occasional issue with tail disengaging
Buy The Bucktail Jig For Trout On Amazon
Final Thoughts On Jigs For Lake Trout
The practice of jigging for lake trout is extremely popular among seasoned anglers. This tactic is not only simple to master but highly effective as well.
However, to make the most of a day spent jigging, an angler must have an assortment of quality jigs at his or her disposal.
While it can be difficult to determine which jigs to place your faith in, a number of lures stand above the rest, in regards to quality and outright effectiveness.
If you are currently in search of a new addition to your tackle box, any of the above-mentioned lures will prove to be of value. Each offers its own appeal when matched to the conditions at hand.
With a few new jigs at your disposal and an ounce of luck, you will find yourself having a banner day on the water.