Last Updated on July 14, 2021 by Bruce

Trout Fishing With Powerbait and Spinnerbait

What is a Spinner?
Spinners are meant to imitate small fish like minnows or other baitfish. They have a small blade that rotates or spins when being retrieved.

When to Use a Spinner
Spinners are a great choice to use in most fishing situations. In warmer months, spinners are almost irresistible when presented correctly.

Trout Fishing With Spinner Tips
Below are some tips to keep in mind when fishing with spinners.
1. Use a Swivel: Spinners create line twist, so using some type of swivel is a must. You can use a barrel swivel and attach a leader, or you can simply use a snap swivel to allow you to change lures easily.
2. Use Natural Colors: This does not mean that more vibrant colors will not work, but generally speaking, natural colors like brown, black, and green work well. Trout are very aware of their surroundings, so base your color on the type of insects and other food sources that you see on the bank, in the water, and in the air.
3. Pay Attention to Size: Spinners are meant to imitate bait fish, so try to match the size of your spinner to the size of the bait fish the trout would likely feed on. If you are fishing in small streams and rivers, your spinner should be no bigger than 1/32-1/24 oz.
4. Cast Up or Across Stream: When casting your spinner, don’t just drop it on top of the trout’s head. Instead, cast across or upstream from where you suspect the trout are holding. Reel with the current so as to make your spinner look natural. In other words, if you reel too fast, your spinner is going to go right over the trout’s head, and if you reel to slow, you are going to get snagged on the bottom. If you are fishing in the fast-moving water, put on a sinker or two to get your lure down to where the trout are holding.
5. Check Spinner for Performance: Every so often, watch your spinner as you reel it close to you and check it for performance. If it is not spinning, check to make sure there are no weeds or gravel lodged in it.

Trout Fishing With PowerBait

PowerBaits have become increasingly popular with trout fishermen over the years. PowerBaits are synthetically produced baits that are meant to attract trout through a strong smell. In fact, PowerBait actually refers to the type of bait produced by Berkley, but it has become a generic term for all types of synthetic baits, so it will be used as such throughout this article. There are a variety of PowerBaits available, the most common being the dough-like substance that comes in a small jar. However, you can also buy worms, insects, and other types of plastic baits that are all synthetically produced.

When to Use PowerBait for Trout Fishing
As with most baits, PowerBaits can work in any type of situation, but they mostly work with stocked trout in slow-moving or still water conditions. Native trout will usually not go after a PowerBait, but most stocked trout that was raised in a hatchery will. So, if you are fishing in a slow-moving river, a stocked pond, or even a lake, using PowerBait can be a great choice.

How to Use PowerBait for Trout Fishing
Most PowerBaits are very light and float when they are in the water. Therefore, you are going to have to use some weight when casting. However, the floating capability of PowerBait is a great advantage if you know how to rig your line correctly. Below are two great ways to fish for trout with PowerBait.
1. Get a small single or treble-hook (size #8-#10), a sinker (size depends on water and weather condition-go with a smaller sinker if there is no wind and the water is slow and use a slightly bigger sinker if there is wind and/or the water is moving faster), and a small bobber. Tie your hook to the end of your line and then snap on the sinker about 6-8 inches above the hook. Then, put on the bobber a few inches above the sinker. This type of rig will allow your bait to be carried down by the sinker, but it will still float a bit in the water. If you are fishing in a stocked trout pond, this is a great rig to use, especially if the trout are rising to the top.
2. Get an egg sinker, a single or treble-hook (same size as above) and a barrel swivel. Make a small leader by cutting a 12-18 inch piece of line (2-6 lb. test) and tying one end to the swivel and the other end to the hook. Now, on your main line, put on an egg sinker and tie the end of the line to the other end of the swivel (the swivel serves as a “stop” between your hook and egg sinker). Put your PowerBait on, making sure it completely covers the hook. When your bait is in the water, the egg sinker is going to sink to the bottom, but your line will float about 12-18 inches (depending on your leader) above the bottom. Especially in the summer, when the warmer months force trout to seek out cooler water on the bottom, this can be an especially effective rig. And, if your PowerBait is completely covering your hook, you are less likely to get snagged on any weeds or other obstructions on the bottom.