Kid At Copper Creek.

[ozarkgunner]

I'm taking a 14 year old boy fishing on sat. I have a bass boat. Is the power bait power ball bite still strong? Any tips. I generally smash them on powerbait below fall creek.

[Phil Lilley]

You should do good using PB or night crawlers. Lots of rainbows in the lake. Short Creek is another hot spot.

[ozarkgunner]

Thanks!

[ozarkgunner]

Short creek comes in on the left above copper creek access on the left? Any need for 2 lb floro or will 4 lb work? I'm not a big bait fisherman for trout but when I do it I generally limit the whole boat. I hate to take anyone out in the low 30s without any fish.

[mwfischer]

What is your guys favorite way to rig/work powerbait? I've tried it several times and never had much luck. Size hook, weight rig, etc? I imagine it's worked best on the bottom w/ proper weight based on water flow, but what type of rig?

[ozarkgunner]

I use two balls of each color (orange and yellow or pink and white) on a 18 inch 4lb floro leader tied to 8lb test. I put two large split shot above the leader. I use a number 6 hook(gold). I never hook the balls inline.

[ozarkgunner]

FYI I only use the powerballs. Regular powerbait is worthless compared to them.

[Gatorjet]

With a flow from power generation I use the same rig as I do to drift scud flys, egg flies, or San Juan worms in the trophy area above Fall Creek.

A variation of the "Taneycomo Rig" that is sold at Lilleys', and other places on the lake. I do go lighter than the rigs sold, with 2# Florocarbon. For crawlers, or Berkley Gulp eggs I tie a #6 circle hook on one end of a piece of line about 3 feet long. I make a loop 8 to12 inches from the other end, and pinch on enough split shot to just get the rig to the bottom. I run 6# line on my drift rig rod with a good ball bearing snap swivel to attach the rig via the loop. Set your drag for the test of the rig. If the rig gets hung up, and breaks off, it's quicker to snap a new rig on than re-tie. Also, many hang ups are the weight getting wedged in rocks on the bottom. Using split shot allows them to be pulled free of the line rather than breaking off.

With no flow, just a split shot a couple feet above the hook works fine. 4# line is usually OK for straight lining, but I generally use 2# Maxima Ultragreen.

Don't overlook areas below Cooper Creek. Monkey Island, the bridges, and in front of the Landing can all be very good.