How To Use Powerbait To Catch a Trout

In this post I will outline how to use powerbait to catch a trout. There are various posts throughout this blog with tips for using powerbait and the best rigs for Powerbait, but not a simple post that explains the simple act of how to use Powerbait to catch a trout.

The first thing to keep in mind is that Powerbait is best employed when still fishing in a lake or pond that contains stocked trout. A stocked trout for anyone who isn't aware is simply a trout that has been raised in a hatchery and released for the express purpose of being caught by anglers.  The next thing to keep in mind when it comes to this unique type of trout bait is that it floats.  This fact is important because it means that your bait will be floating off of the bottom when you are still fishing.

There are three choices  when it comes to the hooks that are used to catch a trout with Powerbait;  a single salmon egg style hook, a single treble hook (either size #12 or #18), or a set of gang hooks (size #8 or #10) .  Enough Powerbait is scooped from the jar that the bait comes in to mold around and completely cover the hook that you are using.  You don't want your "ball of bait" to be too big, so remember just enough to cover the hook (or each of the hooks in the case of gang hooks) will do fine. 

Once your hook is baited with Powerbait your still fishing rig is cast into the water.  When you cast out, leave the bail of your reel open so that the rig can sink all the way to the bottom.  Once you see the line stop moving from the spool of the reel, the rig is on the bottom, and the bail of your reel is closed.  At this point slowly reel in all of the slack line until your line is completely taught. 

Now rest your fishing rod on a forked stick, rock, or similar stationary object.  Now the waiting game begins.  Sometimes a trout will bite almost immediately and sometimes it will take a very long time if the trout bite at all.  My rule of thumb is that if I receive no bites in a half an hour, I reel in, put on new Powerbait, and recast to a different spot.  If I receive no bites again I change spots.  The point is that I have learned that the trout will be biting or they won't, it's as simple as that, so waiting too much time when fishing with Powerbait is usually a waste of time.

In any case what I just outlined is how to use Powerbait to catch a trout.  Give it a shot and I promise that you will be reeling in a stocked trout in no time.