Best of
Side-by-side comparisons and short curated lists for anglers who want a decision—not a catalog.
Gear I Would Get First
PLUSINNO Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
An affordable telescopic rod and reel combo that collapses down for easy transport — no fighting gear in the truck or through trees on the hike in. You do not need expensive gear to catch trout.
N NEVO RHINO 40L Fishing Tackle Backpack
A 40L fishing backpack that fits five 3600 size tackle trays in the bottom compartment alone — plus a full top compartment, rod holders, and tons of pockets. I have used this for three years and it has held up outstandingly.
Berkley PowerBait Power Grub (White)
One of the best scented soft baits for still water trout — deadly on a jig head when retrieved from shore or trolled on the water.
Berkley Gulp! Minnow Fishing Soft Bait
A top-rated scented soft bait for still water trout — deadly in 2.5" Smelt on a jig head and action disc.
Berkley Gulp! Floating Pinched Crawler
A versatile floating crawler that works on a drop shot or a split shot rig. The Nightcrawler color outperforms the rest — grab both the 1" and 2" sizes.
Berkley PowerBait Floating Mice Tails
A deadly still water trout bait — rig it on a size 10 salmon egg hook and float it two feet off the bottom. The White/Bubblegum color is a consistent producer, just know they're soft and won't survive more than a few fish.
Rapala Countdown 1/4 Oz Fishing Lures
A proven hard bait for still water trout — deadly on cast or troll at any depth.
Panther Martin Best of the Best 6-Pack Spinners
A legendary 6-pack spinner kit that covers every still water trout situation in one purchase.
Strike King Mr. Crappie Jig Heads
The go-to jig head for rigging soft plastic trout baits in still water — in three essential sizes.
Rudder 50 Piece Jig Heads Set
A 50-piece Amazon's Choice jig head set for still water trout fishing.
Gerry's Tackle 2X Gold Salmon Egg Hooks Size 10
A size 10 salmon egg hook light enough to keep floating baits like PowerBait Mice Tails buoyant. Same trusted 2X strength gold hook as the size 8, just smaller.
VATEICO 100 Pack Split Shot Fishing Weights
A reliable 100-pack of removable split shot sinkers — perfect for sinking floating baits like Mice Tails at exactly the right depth in still water.
P-Line Floroclear Clear Fishing Line
A fluorocarbon-coated copolymer line that gives you near-invisible presentation and easy handling. 4 lb test is the go-to for still water trout bank fishing.
Comparison Tables
Still-water soft baits compared
Side-by-side look at every soft bait we recommend for still water trout — grubs, minnows, nymphs, floating baits, and pre-rigged options.
Still-water spinners and spoons compared
Side-by-side look at every spinner and spoon we recommend for still water trout — inline spinners and silver spoon sets for cast, retrieve, and troll.
Still-water rod and reel combos compared
Side-by-side look at every rod and reel combo we recommend for still water trout — telescopic spinners for the hike in and a spincast option when easy casting matters most.
Still-water hard baits compared
Side-by-side look at every hard bait we recommend for still water trout — sinking minnows built for precise depth and varied retrieves.
