Trout Fishing: How to Use Current to Catch More Fish

Anglers consider two things as their greatest nemeses: wind and current. These two elements can reduce your capacity to do basic techniques, specifically if you are fond of fishing lures. 

Strong winds and currents can prevent anglers from casting their lures accurately, determining their location in the water, and getting to the spot where fish are biting. The same applies to baitcasting in waters with heavy winds and currents. 

Huge currents can also be annoying when you maintain a bait brigade—being anchored up and attempting to manage many well laid-out rigs while your boat is swinging. Aside from that, big currents require using a house brick as a sinker, which anglers think makes the presentation quite peculiar.

Wind and current can be significant predicaments to fishing, but you can use these elements to your advantage, especially the latter. Think of it this way: fish aren’t afraid of water flow- they usually swim along with the current. Thus, if you can go with the current, you may find a fantastic catch. 

Using the current is commonly used to catch trout because, in moving waters, these fish tend to stay in one place and let the water flow bringing food to them. This article will show you how to do the current work to reel in a good trout.

Tips to Catch A Trout Using the Current

Catching trout using the current of streams is known as “swing” presentation. Fast waters are passages for trout, and fishing along the water flow will drag the bait quicker to it. This technique is generally used by anglers in deep rivers when fishing for salmon, but trying this technique when catching trout in a nearby stream might be as effective for you! 

Anglers who are successful in swing presentation throw their bait in the current to be carried along different feeding lanes. Doing so attracts schools of fish, and your bait will get bites. However, there will be times when fish will only go past it and head directly downstream. When this happens, do not pull your line out too quickly because the current will raise your bait toward another water column. 

If you want to perform a successful swing presentation, here are some tips that will guide you through the basics up to advanced moves that will increase the chances of catching trout using the current. This guide covers good positioning, effective baits, cast mechanics, hookset, and retrieval. 

1. Get an Excellent Upstream Position

To start a successful swing presentation, scout a fishing hole where schools of trout gather and determine the current’s running direction. After identifying the two, maneuver your boat upstream from the fish. If you see that the trout are gathering on the front of the current, your boat should be in the upstream riffle. On the other hand, if they are on the opposite side of the water flow, you should be in the middle so your bait would be along the trout’s way. 

2. Use Live Bait With Good Weight

Since swing presentation uses the current to carry your bait through water, a live bait would be effective. You can use a live shrimp or fish such as minnow and anchovies. 

Putting them underwater would make it look like they are swimming along with the current. This technique will better attract a trout. Furthermore, these types of bait also have good weight and will not easily fall off your hook. 

3. Cast and Retrieve

While the trout are busy swimming in the current, you can cast your bait in a downstream spot. Quartering downstream or casting your bait down halfway also works. Remember that your goal is to put the bait in an area where the current will carry it moderately across the trout’s way.

As your bait floats along with the current, it will slowly raise towards the water column, and there will often be a subtle movement. This movement will tighten your line, and you can start slowly stripping the lure back to you. 

4. Hookset and Fight

Trout generally will not give up on the line, and their bites on your hook will often be challenging. Once a trout catches the scent of your bait downstream and moves in for the kill, it will bite hard and not let go of the bait quickly. During this time, you can raise your rod tip and pull. When the trout starts fighting, you should draw as hard as you can so that the trout will be unable to swim away. 

In rare cases, trout would let go of the bait and fight off the hook. Since you have maneuvered your boat to be opposite their escape route, all you have to do is raise your rod quickly to pull the trout out of the water. Once they are above water, you can easily snag them aboard your boat. 

In conclusion, a swing presentation increases the chance of a good catch by reducing the threats posed by the current. Using the current to your advantage will let the trout come to you naturally instead of you chasing them along fast waters.