A tout is a shrimp tail fishing lure.

http://www.fishingtackleunlimited.com/p/fishing/c-inshore-lures/HOG-SJST-P.html

 

first time I heard the name was in the early 70's, Boone's Tout Rig. It was a double rig like a spec rig, but with double jig heads with shrimp tails. First time I took them out of the bag, my brother & I proceeded to catch 4+ pound trout, sometimes 2 at a time. We were impressed. That was 40 yrs ago in Big Lake.

I think the word Tout came from them and stuck.

 

I think the origin was a Boone Tout which was a shrimp tail.
Soon after i think it morphed more into a general term for any plastic tail, not specifically the shrimp tail.

 

Learn something new every day on this board! Thanks

 

Pretty much any plastic to be rigged on a jighead with a straight tail can be considered a tout. We should probably do a wikipedia for it.

 

Wow. I haven't heard that one in many, many years. Brings back very good memories.

Anyone remember spec a go-go's? They had the little rubber ring you would roll up to the head to hold them on the head.

 

a trout with an alternative lifestyle? j/k:biggrin:

 

Don't forget the old Kelly Wigglers shrimp tail TOUT
Kelly Wiggler is back in the lure making business again.
kelleywigglers.com

 

A buddy of mine has ordered several hundred from Kellywiggler.
he gave me quite a few in colors I cant find.
Redfish love'em