Marshmallows

The marshmallow is one of fishing's clever little hacks. A mini marshmallow (or a piece of a big one) threaded on the hook does two jobs: it floats the bait up off the bottom, out of the muck and into a trout's sightline, and it adds bright color and a sweet scent that stocked trout are conditioned to like. Paired with a nightcrawler in the classic "marshmallow-and-worm" combo, it's a staple for put-and-take trout ponds. Cheap, colorful and buoyant, it turns a bottom rig into a floating one.

What it catches

Stocked rainbow trout above all - the primary target for the floating marshmallow rig - plus other trout, and occasionally panfish and catfish drawn to the scent and color. It's specifically a trout-pond bait, playing on the way hatchery trout respond to bright, sweet, floating offerings similar to the pellets they were raised on.

Getting & keeping it

Buy mini marshmallows at any grocery store, or the scented, fishing-specific marshmallows sold at bait shops. Keep them dry in the bag until use, since damp marshmallows dissolve. They need no refrigeration and last indefinitely. A single bag holds enough for many trips, making it one of the cheapest baits going.

How to rig it

On a sliding-sinker (Carolina-style) bottom rig, thread a mini marshmallow onto the hook, often with a nightcrawler or PowerBait, so the buoyant marshmallow floats the hook and bait up off the bottom above the sinker. Set the leader length to float the bait to the depth trout are cruising. The marshmallow's buoyancy keeps the offering visible instead of buried in bottom debris.

When it shines

Stocked-trout ponds and lakes, especially just after a stocking when hatchery trout are keyed on bright, floating, pellet-like food. It shines fished on the bottom with a floating leader in still water, and it's a go-to for beginners and families at put-and-take fisheries. Spring and fall stocking seasons are prime.

Field tips

Use a sliding-sinker rig with a leader long enough to float the bait up where trout swim, and pair the marshmallow with a worm or scented dough for the best of buoyancy plus scent. Keep marshmallows dry until you bait up. Match color to conditions - bright pink, orange or chartreuse often work best. Recast periodically to refresh the scent trail.

Common mistakes

Too short a leader so the bait doesn't float above the bottom debris, letting marshmallows get wet and dissolve before use, relying on a plain marshmallow with no scent when adding a worm would help, and fishing it for wild fish that, unlike stocked trout, aren't conditioned to bright floating food.