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