Why are the trout lure Gods against me?

[crs050]

Ok, so I've been nailing small brown's in a local stream. Trouble is it has all been on powerbait. So after a while I realized this wasn't really fishing. I've been reading all the posts about various popular trout lures. I mean I bought the various color/sized Mepps, Rooster Tail's Joe's Flies and some Thomas Bouyant's.
Now I've been back to the river trying them all. Fast retrieve, slow, jerky, etc. By now I've even lost half of what I bought in the bushes:-) So why can't I land a trout on the spinners? At this point I would be happy with just a hit on one. What gives. I thought I did my homework. I am using a sz 12 snap swivel. Should I eliminate that?
In the mean time when I'm working these things I have a second pole set up with my usual powerbait and I'm catching a fish every 20 minutes.
They are rising and jumping (and laughing) all around me. Next I'll try dynamite, and no, that's not a new lure.
Help me someone! A lot you you unknowingly have gotten me set up and hooked on ice fishing methods and gear.  I look to you again.

[JustOsmo]

I suck at lure fishing. All my catches come on live bait.

[Dispy]

I find that with fishing lures/spinners, that it is most productive to use a jig/bass fishing approach. Meaning that you must read the water, pockets and seams, as well as cover. Please find link http://www.myfishfinder.com/fishing_forum/index.php?topic=43109.0 for better tips. And yes, remove your swivel and direct tie for better results. Also, wear polarized glasses to better view what the fish 'want.' Some want the spinner fast, others with a dead stop or yo-yo retrieve, while others a slow steady retrieve. If you can see the fish following and/or 'bumping' the spinner, then change up your approach. Remember too, that shadows and sunlight will affect the fishes behavior. Don't be afraid to mix it up or change out lures often to lock into a pattern. Hope this helps.

[stripernut]

It's not so much about the lure, it is about how you present the lure... Did you try quartering the current with no retrieve letting the current turn the blades on your spinner? I hit the Millers for about 1/2 hour this evening and landed 3 trout and dropped another 3. All were in the fast current, all hits were when I was not retrieving, doing what is call a "Salmon Sweep".

[Baitbucket]

When i river/stream fish i usually have on my hip boots so i can walk out.

When i get to a new spot ill take 3 or 4 cast and reel with varying speeds each time. I have to admit i have only caught a hand full of trout this season while fishing a lure like a lure (cast and reel in).
The best way to do it is let he current do the work for you. Cast into the current and let the lure sit there for a 10-15 sec count. The current will keep it off the bottom and spinning in place if it light enough. If u have waders or hip boots on this method is awesome since u can cast straight down stream and let is sit, reel in a few feet, let it sit, continue. Take 2 steps to the side and do it again. After a while youll learn where the fish sit. But every once in a while youll get one where u never expected, so try it all.

Lure type will depend on depth. I always use a spinner (mepps or bluefox) or kastmaster (gold or silver). I use a #1 mepps or #1 BlueFox on water about 12-24in deep. Any deeper and Ill user the #2. If its really shallow (less than a foot) ill use the kastmasters. Also be aware of what your fishing for. Brookies arent to big, and may not hit a #2 spinner just due to size. As for a swivel, i always use one, and haven't seen any difference in my number when not using one. I landed 12 brookies last week with a swivel on. All these spoons and spinners twist your line like mad. Even the BlueFox's that say they don't..They do. Try for yourself the next time your out. Tie directly to your line, cast out, leave about 4 feet of line out with the lure in the air and watch it spin.. Line twist leads to a tangled mess.. You can pick up size 16 black swivels at Dicks. They are tiny, total length about the size of a keyboard key. They also make for swapping lures much more convenient.

Hope this helps.

Total count of trout caught this season now up to 38.