Euro-Style PowerBait Tricks for Trout, part 1 (fishing for trout)

Leave to the European trout anglers, the folks that have refined carp fishing to a very high level, to take something as simple as PowerBait dough bait and develop fine-tuned patterns to target their favorite fish. Host Chad LaChance spent time interviewing a couple of European Berkley PowerBait pro-staffers about their techniques, and then visited a super popular stocker tout lake, Bellaire Lake in Northern Colorado, to put them into action. Was it effective...why, yes it was! This is part 1 of 2 videos on this topic...please tune in to both and subscribe while you're here!
01:24 European story
06:30 refining our shapes
10:12 dough details
15:23 no deep hooking!

[@seanfrazier6069]

I tried the euro style power bait technique. The guys on my left and right were using traditional method. I was slamming em' left and right. They were getting skunked. Just like you said I was hooking em' in the lip and mouth. When a young father asked what I was using, I had to share this technique with him. Thank you for sharing this.

[@FishfulThinker]

Thank you for sharing!

[@rick2892]

Been doing the powerbait retrieve this past year, slow retrieve after sinking to the bottom and works great. interesting idea to make it look like a fish or grub

[@mikeflo2089]

Wow ! Total game changer. A can hardly wait to get out and try this

[@hectorcamacho5565]

Great video man. I NEVER thought about fishing Powerbait this way. Thank you sir!

[@rudydodds6054]

Thank you for sharing. I also have been doing this for years now. Not making the bait into a lure, but moving it or slow dragging behind a light weight. Works great for trout.

[@yourfishwish2991]

Cool video. Thanks for sharing!

[@pdx1399]

Great information! Thank you.

[@jerrybriseno6136]

Great video.Thanks for sharing your tips and techniques with power bait. I will try this method on my next fishing trip. 👉🏻🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣👍🏻

[@boxheadfrenchies]

Nice video and good info. I appreciate the new techniques.

[@dalewilliams6440]

Thank you for new tip about powerbait

[@UnseenSpirit]

I'm from the UK and quite new to trout fishing. I've never heard of this way of using powerbait but will give it a go on Saturday. I'll have 2 rods like usual. 1 usually is powerbait and one is spinners. May just try both haha

[@cezarymazur7719]

Thank you, I realized how many diffirent choices I have using power bait.

[@mikeflo2089]

When lake fishing I like two different rods. One for bait and wait. And one for lures

[@user-po7iv4ni3o]

Just saw a reddit comment that called you out as a local Colorado fisherman KZbinr, subscribed immediately. I'm gonna enjoy your collection sir, thanks!

[@FishfulThinker]

Thanks for subbing...this channel is a labor of love. Full original episodes air weekly on World Fishing Network and also Altitude Sports Channel as well.

[@brettoetting]

I’ve always bait & wait with a splitshot or light Carolina rig but would occasionally retrieve slowly if failing to get a bite. The action will sometimes attract the fish but I like this method much better. Some locals sometimes shape into a worm or an acorn. I have done something similar to this with a trout worm cut down to 1 inch and threaded onto a tiny straight shank hook for small native rainbows and golden trout.

[@JUANORTEGA-or1ht]

Been doing it for years,with a small pinch weight and bouncing it of the bottom works great

[@chadhansen6115]

Pro tip love it

[@SztarPlayer01]

In the netherlands this is mostly the way to go. Great to see this technique used

[@Mikkelsuper21]

You guys are welcome. Best regards -Denmark and Germany😏

[@bssaassin1900]

Never done it with power bait but I've caught numerous trout including wild ones just by retrieving my nightcrawler to get ready for the next cast

[@colobisman6132]

I'm out at Horsetooth about 3 times a week and typically use gulp minnows, trout worms and jigs. Just for kicks I'm going to give this a try next time.

[@Rbc1605]

Nice

[@ShutUpAndPlayIt]

I was actually doing this when i was kid, im 32 now. but at the lakes this is how i would use my powerbaits and catch limits at my lake at the bewilderment of all the old dudes fishing nearme. they were scratching their heads on how tf i was catching trout all day and most didnt get a single bite lmao. got a nickname on that lake as i was a local and a regular at the lake. they called me fishblaster LOL.

[@MegaNafo]

Nice video , subscribed on your channel.

[@THERUBBERDUCKY03]

I love belaire lake

[@anthonychihuahua]

Wow, I do believe I used to watch your tv show at least over a decade ago, and only finding this now. Super! Colorado KZbinr, Fishing 24 Seven, uses this technique, but using Eagle Claws "slinky weight", which prevents bottom snags, to get that dough in the bottom.

[@FishfulThinker]

Yep that was us, and we still air on both Altitude Sports and World Fishing Networks same as back then. We've been airing since Jan 2009.

[@anthonychihuahua]

​@@FishfulThinker Thank you very much, my friends. I just subscribed and showing support to you and Fishful Thinker on KZbin. I only have over the air tv, anymore, but awesome to know you're still "out there" and active!! 🎣❤

[@mac148]

Interesting i used to just fish it static but one nailed it when i was slow retreving cause i was running out of bait i cant wait to try this method 6 weeks still to wait for season starts here bummer

[@knezlazar763]

Easy to catch a trout when are in abundance

[@ironforge039]

Barbless work great for catch and release. I’ve noticed very little difference in regards to hooks holding the fish. However a huge difference when having to take hooks out of nets, clothes etc. and fortunately not out of fingers so far.

[@mac148]

yes lots of people think barbless will lose you fish if you keep a tight line there is no difference and i think barbless hooks penetrate the fish's mouth much easier

[@FishfulThinker]

I agree, but even barbless hooks kill every trout that is deep hooked. This technique, barbed or otherwise, prevents that.

[@dent2313]

I have put PowerBait on the back of a Rooster Tail for decades. Never made the PowerBait the sinner though.

[@frankalessio3374]

I caught a 28 inch Rainbow Retrieving PB. 8 lbs. 4oz.

[@tomnelson4527]

Any site that shows all the different shapes that you can make.

[@Willie1911]

Wow! Thank you! What rod and reel combo do you have for this?

[@FishfulThinker]

I fish light power Fenwick Elite rods for this technique, paired ith size 20 Abu Garcia Revos. My favorite set-up for this is 7'.

[@duanebolen543]

In a small streams that we have here in Iowa you have to throw it and retrieve it

[@jasonsun789]

Great video and very interesting way to fishing. What type of hook and what size should I use for this technique?

[@FishfulThinker]

Straight shank aberdeen style hook works well, and a sizes 6-10 will cover whatever size of dough shape you'd likely want.

[@nehemiahpalazzo]

Were you using weight?

[@FishfulThinker]

@@nehemiahpalazzo we tried with and without...best success was with a small split shot...just enough to aid in casting.

[@nehemiahpalazzo]

@@FishfulThinker thank you sir. I went and tried the other day and used two split shots which was too heavy.

[@omark7145]

What kind of rod/reel and line are you using for this? I have a 5’ ultralight with 4lb flouro and it seems like it’s not very good for casting far in ponds and lakes. I’m thinking I need to just save that rod for the stream fishing. Any advice?

[@FishfulThinker]

For this type of fishing, I use 7' Fenwick Elite Finesse rods in light power coupled with 6# braided line, in this case X9 braid. The combination allows for much longer casts than what you are currently using, and also allows me to lob the bait gently as needed. It also allows for longer range hook-setting, line control and makes for a long shock absorber while fighting fish.

[@wrightvideos2011]

Where I’ve been fishing the most lately is a stocked pond. I have 5 different Powerbaits and have yet caught one fish on them. I’ve only caught fish using Mousetails, power eggs, and the trout magnet. Any ideas as to why the Powerbaits aren’t working?

[@FishfulThinker]

From the sounds of your successful baits, I'd guess you may need to form smaller pieces of the doughbait.

[@dadslearningtogether6564]

I would start with leader length. 12 to 24 inches and make sure the powerbait floats before casting.

[@mac148]

Leader length is crucial use a weight you can easily adjust the length some times adding a foot makes all the difference start at one foot after 15 mins add another

[@robertlosasso4222]

You don’t need a heavy weight to bottom fish , just a small dipsey about 1/8 ounce is good with a whole night crawler , just leave some slack in the line . He’ll pick it up and run with it , just start reeling him in ,you don’t have to sweep the line back . I’m going to see if they make a tiny circle hook , then that will be better yet .

[@kentfonda8245]

So interesting. But doesn't the powerbait fall off after a few casts?

[@FishfulThinker]

Surprisingly, no if you mold it well

[@brettoetting]

It hardens a bit in the water. Dip it before the first cast and you’ll lose less often on the cast

[@forthelulz8085]

Berkley needs to take their new power bait balls and mold them into lures and spoons.

[@FishfulThinker]

That what I said! Make it slightly denser and pre-form the shapes...folks would like that I think.

[@wubbied4575]

Which rod and wheel are you using?

[@FishfulThinker]

A Fenwick Elite, light power and Pflueger President

[@austinlarue6276]

Can you use this in slow to medium speed streams?

[@FishfulThinker]

We tried it with great success fishing slow, deep plunge pools in a local river...so I'd say yes. We cast it up and across, then reeled just fast enough to keep it moving and line tight as the current moved it along.

[@caliboykillakc5972]

Is there any way to find more information on this

[@FishfulThinker]

You can start by looking up part 2 of this video.

[@georgehoffman7171]

What size of hook would you recommend

[@FishfulThinker]

somehting aorund a #6 or #8 is good.

[@Astromid7]

What rod you using ?

[@FishfulThinker]

A long and very soft Fenwick.

[@tedcabana]

Anyone catch that fish jumping out of the water in the background at "1:30" to his right?

[@cladkerson8479]

I tried this technique and it certainly increased the strikes. Caught my limit quickly. The only thing I disagree with is, everyone of mine swallowed the hook. Didn't catch a single fish on the mouth.

[@FishfulThinker]

That's odd to hear; in our personal experience and as well as the experience of a bunch of other folks we've talked with that have tried it, deep hooking is almost completely eliminated when the Powerbait is continuously retrieved.

[@jackeyster5885]

What kind of PowerBait are you using that sinks?

[@jackeyster5885]

Yeah what the hell, am I high or what. Every single power bait I have used floats

[@jackeyster5885]

Oh nvm, I see the splitshot now

[@behzadshambayati6912]

Which lake you are fishing at .

[@FishfulThinker]

Bellaire Lake

[@Treecore751]

Fish jumps out of the water @ 1:24 haha

[@CIVPIT510]

Dude that lake is stocked fat. Those fish will hit a freaking bare hook

[@antonujvarosi1617]

It is a plastic mold for that.is much easier

[@MrSandomir]

Good story for kids!😅

[@jet_the_trout-chaser3325]

Who els seen that trout jump around 1:30 lol

[@frankalessio3374]

In California PB is considered to not be Artificial. How silly is that?

[@THOMASDRELICH]

try it in fast water and it'll come off especially the gulp stuff. kinda a waste, best to let it drift with light split shot imho

[@1Troutguy]

Ouch. Rod is on the rock, I'm picky where I put my rod down.

[@tinaswarehouse7919]

If you can keep it on with out it falling off in 1 minute or after the cast it is NOT that plyanle

[@mannyg9059]

PowerBait of that shape cannot be cast far with that technique from the shoreline, retrieving also has to be done very, very slowly. your fishing gear has to be very specialized. I would like to see you try that in a reservoir or pond crowded fellow bank fishermen, some of which slosh and wade into the reservoir for longer casts and cross your line on almost every cast, it seems that technique works well under very controlled conditions as in this video. and in Europe. You'll go nucking futs trying to find a place such as in this video so well stocked with trout and no people in California. lol

[@FishfulThinker]

Both casting distance snd retrieve speed are infinitely variable based on the weight added; all I have to do is add more weight if I wanna cast it further, or retrieve it faster. Also, the lake this was filmed on is an absolute zoo most of the time which is why we chose it to film. They were people fishing all around us, but the opposite side of the lake from us is closed so there’s nobody over there in the video. Based on our experience and heavily pressured urban Colorado trout waters, the technique works exceedingly well. I don’t care what with or how you’re fishing, if dudes are walking around in the water in front of you I have to a think fishing is going to be tough.

[@tinaswarehouse7919]

I live in Ca so RIGHT@ and it doesn't stay on well, looking into a ompound that will make it stay together and making my own mold - CA style we always come up with somerthing

[@user-kb6mm9ih6g]

I was and it works I do the spoon type

[@ingvardpedersen1573]

Get a pair of pliers to help get the hooks out faster, or use barbless hooks.

[@FishfulThinker]

...but that is completely irrelevant if the fish is deep hooked. No barbless hook or pliers will save them. When using the techniques in the video, no fish are deep hooked.

[@warriorxtman2]

In at comment 67

[@rockymntdan1]

By the time you're done messing with that mess, I'd have caught 2 fish on a crawler sitting on the bottom. LMAO

[@Lordofjars]

doubt it

[@FishfulThinker]

Possibly...but we'd bet both of them will have swallowed your hook. This technique is MUCH easier on fish and in our experience, also yields a faster catch rate than the sit-and-wait approach.

[@mainemonty]

One big commercial

[@ryryk6977]

Definitely tired and failed

[@springteen3743]

Dude you to learn how to handle a fish before even trying to catch them.😊

[@frankalessio3374]

I caught a 28 inch Rainbow Retrieving PB. 8 lbs. 4oz.

[@FishfulThinker]

Nice!!!