| Many angler use Powerbait for fishing, | | | | end of the barrel swivel. Gang hooks allow |
| especially trout fishing. For this article, | | | | you to present twice as much Powerbait. If |
| I'm going to be specifically referring to the | | | | you don't like the idea of gang hooks, simply |
| Powerbait that comes in jars or pre-formed | | | | tie on a single small hook, that's attached |
| chunks, and these types of Power baits are | | | | to a leader. This is your actual rig, and |
| mainly used for catching trout. Powerbait is | | | | I'm going to assume that you're using gang |
| most effective on stocked trout (you know, | | | | hooks (only because that's what I prefer). |
| the trout that the fish and game department | | | | |
| plants in lakes and rivers?) My fishing | | | | At this point, add enough Powerbait to each |
| buddies and I have always joked that the | | | | hook to completely cover the hook. So you |
| government must feed the trout Powerbait when | | | | should have 2 balls of Powerbait hanging from |
| they are growing up in the hatcheries, | | | | this rig. Set your rig in the water by the |
| because they seem to be addicted to the | | | | bank and make sure that the Powerbait is |
| stuff. The most effective way to use | | | | floating. If it's not, add a little more to |
| Powerbait is with a bottom rig, which I will | | | | each ball. Remember, the fact that the |
| explain in this article. | | | | Powerbait floats, is integral to this rig. |
| | | | Now that you know that the Powerbait is |
| The first thing that needs to be understood | | | | floating, you're ready to cast. Cast your |
| is that Powerbait floats. You need to make | | | | line out gently (I say gently because the |
| sure that you use this to your advantage, by | | | | Powerbait can fly off the hooks) and let it |
| having your offering floating off of the | | | | sink to the bottom. Once your line in on |
| bottom, above any underwater debris. The | | | | bottom, slowly reel in the slack line. Now |
| other thing that needs to be understood is | | | | set your rod in a steady place (many anglers |
| that really heavy fishing line should not be | | | | prefer a forked stick stuck into the ground). |
| employed for this setup. I suggest 4 pound | | | | Make sure your line is completely taught. |
| test, and six pound is tolerable. Fishing | | | | |
| line any larger than 6 pound test will cost | | | | Now it's time to wait. Your rod will begin |
| you bites, because its so much more visible | | | | to bounce when a trout is biting your |
| to trout. | | | | offering. I usually wait 30-45 minutes and |
| | | | if I haven't received any bites, I reel in |
| Begin by grabbing the end of your line and | | | | and check my bait. This is the time to add |
| slipping an egg sinker onto it. Now tie on a | | | | more Powerbait or change colors. Recast and |
| small barrel swivel (size 10 or 12) that will | | | | wait again,. If you get no bites after the |
| act as a "stopper" for your weight. Your egg | | | | second time, you may want to move. It |
| sinker should be no bigger than is necessary | | | | usually doesn't take stocked trout too long |
| to keep your line taught (1/4 to 3/8 oz | | | | to bite. The method that I just described is |
| usually suffices). Now that we have the | | | | the best way to fish for trout with |
| barrel swivel and egg sinker in place, tie a | | | | Powerbait. Give it a shot and see what |
| set of pre-tied gang hooks onto the opposite | | | | happens. |