Trout Beads

[Kodiak Commando 0]

For the past few years i have rarely used glo bugs when fishing for Big rainbows on the kenai. The big fish there are just too smart to get fooled with a glo bug, that's why bead fishing is so popular. Troutbeads are the best kind and i have to say if you use glo bugs a lot try these cuz they will fool much more quality fish espcially in high target areas. You can buy these things at many stores and www.troutbeads.com. They are round plastic beads that come in a variety of colors, tangeriene and natural roe are the best in my experience. Most people fish them by pegging them 2 inches above a bare hook with a toothpick. This prevents smart bows from spitting the fly out cuz of feeling the hook and also prevents gut hooking.

[fishyfranky 0]

Beads are great for Great Lakes steelhead too. With natural colors, its hard to tell the difference from real eggs. Pearly pink plastic beads have also been good for me but I use lots of different colors and also glass ones for deep water. I attach them with small silicone bands (girl's hair ties) instead of a toothpick.

 

They haven't really caught on in my neck of the woods yet, some of my fellow steelheaders are wondering what I'm doing with sooo many beads I only found out about them by lurking on the west coast steelheading sites (thanks guys!).

 

[sore arm 0]

I think I may give them a shot. Now would one of those beads fit on a hook to make an egg sucking leech as well?

[fishyfranky 0]

You can mount the bead on a pin and lash the pin to the hook. I bend the shank 45 degrees to make it basically a jig. An effective pattern is the 'neutral bouyancy' jig so a plastic bead is useful in that regard. I use this technique more for glass/metal beads though.

 

Alternatively, you can snip a tiny bit off the sides of the hole in plastic beads. This lets you get the bead around the hook bend with a crushed barb. Here's a pic of 6mm beads on #6 and #8 Mustad 9672's (it looks like roe eh )

[Alex C. 0]

Ice fishing for rainbows, 99% of guys use wigglers. My father in law and I noticed one day that one of the old timers who comes out and catches way more fish than everyone, had a small egg sized ornge bead threaded onto his line above the hook. Once we started using this rig, the number of bites we got skyrocketed.

[Toneloc 0]

Do you guys have any problems with fish spitting them quickly?

 

A guy at the local fly shop recommended them to me, I bought some, but never used em cause I figured the fish would be likely to spit them before I detected the strike.

 

Thanks.

 

Tony

[Kodiak Commando 0]

Where i fish they hold on to them a lot longer than glo bugs or illiamna pinkies.

 

[Guest]

With the troutbeads, a little pressure with a set of pliers and the beads will slide right around the bend (if it's a round bend). Or you can take a small drill and just tap the rear of the bead to have it slide. I use alot of troutbeads. They work great, and awesome array of colors as well to match about anything you'd like. Great company to work with too.

[sore arm 0]

Thanks for the info on the beads guys. Ordered some and got them in the mail yesterday. Havent played with them but they look great. The company is great to deal with. If it ever warms up I will get them in the water. While my buddies are up late tying glo bugs I'll be asleep resting up for the action. Cant wait to try them out!!