How not to deep hook trout...

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Stainless-Steel-Hook-Remover/product/30220/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT


my best buy ever - i got one in 06 and its still kickin
for bass trout and especially pike

Wow, thank you to everyone for the great advice and input.

Let me echo the previous posts on Power Bait - you almost always gut hook trout using power bait. In the end of the day, if you pay your license, you are entitled to catch the stockies anyway you want, and if you don't take them home, they will likely die by mid-summer anyways. But IMHO using power bait is not fishing, it's waiting. Break out the fly rod or the spinner baits and at least give the trout a fighting chance - and I guarantee each trout you catch that way will be 10 times the fun of those caught on the cheater-bait.

"Go away! 'Batin'!" - Frito, Idiocracy

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

If Bronze hooks are used just cut your line as close to the fishes mouth and let it swim away . Plated hooks like the gold ones don't rot out . Try to remove the big glob of power bait though.

Last night I used circle hooks, on a bobber rig, and salad shrimp as bait. It worked well. The fish were lip hooked.

The only problem is the turtles kept stealing my bait.

Next time out I'm going to try some trout magnets and spinners.

Thanks again for all the help.