Trout Area Fishing Technique: The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Lake Spinning
The Trout Area style originated as a commercial fishing discipline in Japan, serving as an entertaining and highly technical alternative to traditional methods. The necessity of accommodating many spinning anglers in confined spaces, combined with the requirement for a constant stock of trout to ensure continuous catches, led to the development of this discipline with its own unique characteristics.
What Makes Trout Area Different from Standard Lake Trout Spinning?
Unlike traditional lake spinning, Trout Area is built around speed, precision, and high-frequency catches. Here are the primary differences:
1. Rod Length and Maneuverability
Anglers use short spinning rods, primarily 2-piece models ranging between 5'6" and 6'6".
Mobility: Short rods facilitate movement when many anglers are positioned close together.
Precision: They allow for extreme casting accuracy at short distances.
Competition Limits: In official tournaments, the rod length limit is 7'3". While longer rods might offer an advantage in large lakes without wind, shorter rods remain the gold standard for the "Area" environment.
2. Targeted Fish Size
The stocked trout are generally small. While ultra-light gear can handle larger specimens, fighting big fish with ultra-light tackle in a competition setting results in a loss of precious time. The goal is efficiency and rapid catch-and-release.
3. Lures and Ethical Gear
It is mandatory to use hardbaits and metal baits (minnows, cranks, lipless, and spoons).
Hooks: All lures must be equipped exclusively with single barbless hooks to ensure a safe release.
Lure Weight: Weights typically oscillate between 1g and 5g. The most popular sizes are 2.5g, 3g, 3.5g, and 4.5g, which cover almost all fishing scenarios.
Strategy: Heavier spoons are favored during high-wind conditions or at the start of competitions when fish are aggressive. As the trout become "apathetic" (lethargic), anglers scale down the weight and size of the lures.
The Fishing Action: Casting and Striking
Casting Technique
Casts should be firm but not overly violent. If using a rod of average quality—especially those with a classic "put-over" joint where the upper section is thicker than the lower—the blank will oscillate excessively. This vibration reduces both distance and precision as the guides interfere with the line flow.
The Strike (Hook Setting)
When you feel a "touch," do not strike immediately. Lower the rod slightly to follow the bite, "assisting" the small trout as it takes the spoon into its mouth. After this, perform a progressive (not violent) hook set. A violent strike risks pulling the lure out of the trout's mouth.
The Exception: Bottom fishing (slow fishing on the bottom during spawn time) requires an immediate and sharp strike.
Professional Equipment for Trout Area Game
Line Selection
PE Braid: Often used with a fluorocarbon leader.
Direct Nylon: Usually not exceeding 4lb (0.16mm).
Direct Braid: Used for maximum speed during the initial phases of a race.
Ester (Polyester): Increasingly popular for its low elasticity and high sensitivity.
Color Theory
While there are no fixed rules, colors like white, black, pink, and silver are consistent performers. However, relying solely on these is a mistake; trout often prefer "strange" solutions like fluorescent, gradient, or holographic finishes.
Lure Types: Spoons and Hardbaits
Compact Spoons: Short and thick spoons sink faster.
Cupped Spoons: Wider surfaces create more resistance and sink slower.
Top Brands: Nories (Boon, Rooney, Sofia), Valkein (Hydram, Circle), Jackall Bros Timon, Forest, Shimano (Cardiff), Daiwa Presso, and Lucky Craft.
Reels and Accessories
Reels: Typically sizes 1000 to 2000 (Shimano, Daiwa, Abu Garcia). Larger spools (2000/2500) are becoming popular as they improve casting distance and line management in cold weather.
Releaser: A curved tool used to unhook fish without touching them.
Rod Stands: Vertical holders to manage multiple rods easily.
Trout Pouch: Foam-lined binders to organize and quickly access spoons.
Typical Spoon Models for Trout Area Game
The following spoon brands and models are widely recognized and tested in Japan and in Europe
NORIES: (BOON, MASUKUROTO, WEEPER, ROONEY, METAL WASABI, SOFIA, TULLE, ZX)
JACKALL BROS TIMON: (QUATTRO SPOON, TEARO, GROVEL)
DAMIKI: (PICA SPOON, CONG SPOON)
MEGABASS: (IZABELLA, SPOON-X, GREAT HUNTING)
ANTEM: (DOHNA, HAMMER, WIRED, BUX, OLIAN, LEON)
FOREST: (MIU, PAL, PAL NATIVE, CRYSTAL, MEBIUS)
SHIMANO: (CARDIFF ROLL SWIMMER, CARDIFF SLIM SWIMMER CE)
ALFRED: (ALF)
IVYLINE: (PENTA, MILNER, MUDDYLE)
VALKEIN: (CIRCLE, ASTRAR, GIGA BURST, ICE FAKE, BLACK BLAST)
YARIE: (RINGO, RINGO MIDI, RINGO HAMMERED, T-FRESH, PIRICA MORE, T-FRESH EVO)
LUCKY CRAFT: (AIR S ROLLER, S ROLLER)
NEO STYLE: (For vertical techniques: PLATINUM S, PLATINUM SS, PREMIUM X, B-VIBE) (For horizontal techniques: ALIS, KOTATSU)
DAIWA PRESSO: (Adam, Lupin, Vega, Moover, Skinny)
Hardbaits for Trout Area: Jerkbaits, Crankbaits, and Poppers
Regarding Trout Area hardbaits, such as jerks, crankbaits, and poppers, the most sought-after and used brands are:
Nories and Rodio Craft
Rodio Craft is world-famous for the celebrated Rodio Moca series, including the Moca Jr, Moca Fat, Moca DR, and Moca SR CRANK.
Lucky Craft and Valkein
Lucky Craft offers high-performance options like the AIR Pellet, Cra Pea, AIR Claw, Unfair, Micro Cra Pea CPT, and CPO. Valkein is renowned for the famous Hydram S, Hydram F, and Hydram Nano.
Specialized Mentions
Special mentions also go to Mukai and the entire Daiwa Presso lure line, including the Nyoro Clazy, Double Clutch F1, Rivecra, and Wabra.
Where to Buy Trout Area Gear
You can find all the spoons, cranks, jerks, rods, reels, and specialized equipment for the TROUT AREA GAME at www.bassstoreitaly.com. the world’s largest online store specializing in trout area game - area trout, featuring a massive stock of exclusive Japanese products in READY DELIVERY!
