How to Retrieve PowerBait Like a Spinner for Trout

Active PowerBaiting for trout is one of the most overlooked techniques in fishing, and it solves the biggest problem with traditional bait fishing in one move. In this episode, host Chad LaChance puts a European-developed method to work at Bellaire Lake in Colorado (where bait fishing is legal), molding Berkley PowerBait into spinning shapes and retrieving it like a lure. What you'll learn: • How to mold Berkley PowerBait into spinning shapes that act like inline spinners • Why a ball-bearing swivel is a key piece of tackle • How to modify your bait when trout follow but don't commit • Why corner-of-the-mouth hook sets make catch-and-release reliable Most American anglers fish PowerBait as a static presentation — cast it out, prop the rod up, wait. Chad flips that on its head. He molds the bait into small, flattened pieces ("duckies," as the Europeans call them), bends them at angles, and works them through the water column on a light spinning rod with a Berkley ball-bearing swivel. The result is corner-of-the-mouth hook sets, easy catch and release, and the ability to adjust shape, size, and speed on the water to dial in what trout want that day. As a bonus, this method minimizes deep hooking, which means released fish swim away no worse for the wear. Stay tuned for Part 2. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:35 - Molding PowerBait into a spinner shape 01:35 - First retrieve and why a ball-bearing swivel matters 03:15 - Adjusting bait size when fish refuse 04:50 - Why active retrieves prevent deep hooking 07:10 - Reading follow-up strikes and refining presentation 08:00 - Rod selection: why a 7 to 7.5 ft light rod outfishes a short rod 11:34 - Identifying the "ducky" shape and how it spins 13:14 - Mixing colors and shapes for custom presentations Gear shown: Berkley PowerBait dough Berkley ball-bearing swivel Light-power spinning rod (5'8" used, 7-7.5 ft recommended) Location: Bellaire Lake, Colorado (legal bait fishing) Species: Rainbow Trout (stocker) Techniques: Active PowerBaiting, retrieve fishing, dough bait molding If this one helps you fish better, hit subscribe... new episodes built with never-before-seen footage from our archives drop weekly. Related searches this video answers: "how to fish PowerBait for trout" "active PowerBait technique" "PowerBait without deep hooking" "European trout fishing methods" #PowerBait #TroutFishing #ColoradoFishing