Tackle Shack Top 5 Trout Lures of 2023
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- By Don
- Posted in Trout Fishing
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Pennsylvania is synonymous with trout fishing and across the mountains of Tioga County, opportunities for wild and stock trout are everywhere. We could talk for hours about what’s ‘best’ for catching trout with so many options in artificials, eggs, paste baits, live baits, and flies, but to keep it brief, let’s take a look at the top 5 soft baits and lures of 2023, plus a few honorable mentions.
Tackle Shack Top 5 Trout Lures of 2023
Pennsylvania is synonymous with trout fishing and across the mountains of Tioga County, opportunities for wild and stock trout are everywhere. We could talk for hours about what’s ‘best’ for catching trout with so many options in artificials, eggs, paste baits, live baits, and flies, but to keep it brief, let’s take a look at the top 5 soft baits and lures of 2023, plus a few honorable mentions.
Honorable Mention – Leland Lures Trout Magnet
It wouldn’t feel right making this list without the Trout Magnet. Though not making the top 5 this year, it continues to be a strong seller and top fish catcher year after year. Pink, Mealworm Gold, White, and Orange Chartreuse made up the top colors of 2023. The best seller though was the 85 piece kit that includes plenty of magnets and the heads you need to fish them.
Honorable Mention – Thomas E.P. Spin
Thomas has been a strong brand for us for years with favorites like the Buoyant Spoon and this year the EP Spin grew immensely in popularity, ranking it just outside of our list of best sellers. Nickel/Gold in 1/5 and 1/8 were most popular with the 1/8 Gold not far behind. Thomas Spinners are made in the USA. If you haven’t tried them yet, grab a few for your box this season!
#5 Powerbait 3” Floating Trout Worm
Wacky rigging isn’t just for bass! Hook a Powerbait trout worm through its middle and watch it wiggle and shimmy as the current pushes it downstream just like a real worm. Add in the ever popular Powerbait scent, and trout just can’t resist it. The original continues to be most popular, but the new garlic scented worms yielded many fish too. Every day in April and May, customers asked for ‘those pink worms’. Bubblegum is the official color, and the most requested of 2023, but Cheese, Green Chartreuse, and Natural sold well all season too.
#4 C.P. Swing
With so many ‘cooler’ or more sophisticated lures on the market, it might seem surprising that one of the simplest spinners out there continues to outshine the competition. With decades of fish catches though, its no wonder the C.P. Swing continues to perform. While its available in 6 sizes and 3 colors, the most popular models are the 1,2, and 3 in brass, with the 2 silver not far behind. There are dozens of knockoffs and similar baits, but the tried and true C.P. Swing will always be a favorite among trout anglers.
#3 McDowells Custom Baits 2.25” Minnie
Justin McDowell started painting these 2.25” baits for us just a few years ago, but they’ve quickly taken off in popularity. Anglers and our customers all across PA can’t wait to get their hands on the next batch of Redfin and Black Nose Dace patterns. The 2.25” Minnie led the sales, but the new 1.5” Mini Minnie earned its place in many tackle boxes. Each bait is hand painted in small batches right here in Pennsylvania. New colors this year included the Genessee River Special, Spawning Dace, Tessellated Darter/Sculpin, and Rainbow Darter. All mimicking baitfish species in the region.
#2 Yakima Rooster Tail Spinner
It comes at no surprise that the Rooster Tail dominated the majority of our trout spinner sales last year. With dozens of colors and plenty of sizes, there is a roostertail for every situation. Despite the endless array of colors available, the basics led sales with Black, Brown, and White being most popular. Not far behind were Silver Shad, White Coachdog, and Chartreuse. 1/16 and 1/8 ounce sizes outsold their counterparts.
#1 Dynamic Lures HD Trout
2023 could be considered ‘The year of the redfin’ with spinners and hard baits in dace colors leading the sales across every brand. Their successes though stem from the Dynamic Lures HD Trout color Ken’s Redfin Shiner. First introduced to Tackle Shack in 2022, the HD trout has grown incredibly in popularity and now has a place in tackle boxes all across the state. Aside from the redfin, popular colors included Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Ghost Cutthroat, and Trout Natural. In total, 20 colors are available for any fishing situation. Whether you're fishing for trout, panfish, or crappies, you need to add this bait to your arsenal!
What caught you the most trout in 2023? Trout Season opens on April 6th this year, but you can enjoy trout fishing all year long in many of our local waters . Stop in for tips on where to go and what to use before you hit the water, or shop online anytime at www.shoptackleshack.com
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