Expect a few odd looks when you wade into your favorite trout stream with an Excalibur Ghost Minnow tied to the end of your line. Although the Ghost Minnow is a very small minnow bait at 2 1/4 inches in length, it still is a hard-plastic minnow bait, and most anglers are accustomed to using flies, in-line spinners or natural bait when they fish for trout.
Also expect more important looks from trout, many of which will result in landed fish. Typically, curious looks from formally skeptical nearby anglers will soon follow, maybe even with a few inquiries about what kind of lure that is.
The slim profile, tight wiggle and fabulous finish of an Excalibur Ghost Minnow are simply more than most trout can stand. Ghost Minnows work especially well for brown trout, which would rather dine on small fish than insects and other miniature morsels. However, rainbows also are quick to nab these little jerkbaits.
For most trout waters, the Tracdown models are the baits of choice. Trout tend to favor baits that get down in the water column and stay down. For shallow-stream fishing or situations where you expect trout to be looking up, floating or suspending models add four extra color options.
Start with the Tracdown brown trout color pattern on dark days and the rainbow pattern on sunny days, but be willing to experiment and let the trout show their preferences.
Also experiment with retrieves. Some days, you almost can’t jerk a ghost minnow too hard or fish it too erratically. Other days you’ll get nothing but follower unless you crank the bait steadily and let it jiggle unobtrusively through the water. Often, the retrieve of the day falls somewhere between these extremes.
Likewise, pay attention to presentation angles that produce strikes. At times, the only way you’ll catch trout is to cast upstream and let the current do most of the work, reeling or twitching the rod tip only enough to add a little jiggle. Other days, the trout will absolutely hammer a Ghost Minnow reeled quickly across the current or even reeled slowly upstream to imitate baitfish battling the river.
Ghost Minnows achieve the best action and can be cast the farthest with light line. Three- to 6-pound-test Silver Thread Trout Line, which offers minimal stretch and a small-diameter line in low-visibility green is ideal. Use the smallest size allowable, based on the size of the trout, the nature of the cover and the strength of the current in your favorite stream.
Ultralight or even micro-sized gear also is important for making accurate casts and not overpowering the lure with the rod. A Pflueger Microspin Combo is ideal for the task in most trout streams.
Finally, don’t overlook a Ghost Minnow in a stream because only single-hook lures are permitted (which is a fairly common regulation on quality trout waters). Simply remove both trebles from the split rings and replace the back treble with a No. 6 short-shank single hook.