PowerBait

[badbass]

Who has tried PowerBait and what do you think?

How does it compare to other plastics, scented or unscented? Berkley claims that it outperforms all other artificials. Is that true in your experience?

[earthworm77]

Powerbait isn't bad. I think any scented bait is good at allowing fish to hold on a little longer. Don't be fooled though, the scent does not attract fish as ads claim.

[L.D.]

I've used them and they work, however not really any better than other plastics with some scent added. I believe the scent will make the fish hold on a second or two longer giving you more of a chance to set the hook. They don't attract any better than many others.

[Mainer]

I have tried them, but not for a while.  If I remember correctly, I found them to be a little soft and not very durable.

[Nick]

More than a decade ago, a buddy of mine tells the story that he had two or three of these then "new" power worms.  At Lake of the Ozarks in a tournament the bite was a little slow so he took out a 7 inch power worm and immediately began catching fish on that stinky worm. His partner begged one from him and also began catching fish like crazy.  He kept pinching off some of the torn worm when he had to, and in about two hours, all he had left was a two inch piece that he swears still caught a bass.  I never had that experience, but I will say I have seen the time (about '95) when a novice fishing a power worm behind me casting to the same docks outcaught  me 16-1. I was fishing an unscented worm at the same depth.  He gave me a power worm, and I caught the next 6 in a row from the front of the boat as we continued down the row of docks. I never knew if it was the scent or the swim, but I landed more Missouri hawgs on them that any other bait in the 90's. They were most effective in stained and off colored water for whatever reason. Red Shad ruled for me, and still does for many. That 10" original Texas rigged is still a great night time bait around here. I also noted that the first 10 caasts seemed to be the best.  The stink wears out pretty quickly, so change often for better results.

I'm speaking of the original power worms, not the other brands that Berkley makes which I am not a big fan of.  Nick

[Chris]

When powerbait first came out I used them a lot and caught fish on them.  I found that they where soft and I was going though a bag a day. There are still a bunch of people that swear by them. Today I don't think I even own a bag mainly because I don't throw as much soft plastics. The soft plastics that I do throw are specialized and Berkley doesn't make a product that is comparable.

[Maineiac]

Always liked the Power Worms and for awhile the Power Lizards. Like most others I have wandered away from some things but intend to have some black worms rigged and ready this next year. I have also started using Power grubs again for certain things. As far as being soft, I'm not sure I see them as being any worse than some others especially Yamamoto products.

What I can't seem to get a handle on is their new Gulp line. I have played with them a little and haven't spun a wheel. Any thoughts?

[badbass]

Difference between Gulp and PowerBait is that when presented with PowerBait, a fish will bite it and hold on longer than just a normal plastic.

With Gulp, they'll actually eat it. I'm not sure if the ability to attract fish is any better. Plus they're biodegradable and will pass through a fish's system if swallowed.

Never tried Gulp myself, so I don't know how effective it is. Just read about it. But apparently it outfishes live bait according to Berkley's claims.

[Chris]

Any lure out fishes live bait because you put it infront of more fish in my opinion.

[Danarchy]

I was organizing my tackle last night for winter storage. I opened up the compartment where I keep my powerbait and the smell was just too much. I'm not saying that it was a bad odor, It was actually such a good smell that it almost drove me crazy. The aroma instantly transported my mind to a very special place. It was a warm place, with gin clear water as smooth as glass, surrounded by a half circle weedline of hydrilla and bullrush. A calm breeze against my back and a steady rising morning sun, waking up the lake. I pitch a 7" watermelon red power worm into a pocket where the bullrushes end and the deeper growing cabbage begins. The split shot slowly takes the worm down to about 6 feet of water. There is a slight twitch in the line followed by a distinct thud. I carefully take up the slack and point my rod tip down, then swiftly rip back the rod and feel something solid at the other end. My heart starts pounding as the huge fish blasts through the surface, splashing me with warm lake water. The water splashing me is enough to bring me to my senses, finding myself on the basement floor, realizing that it was the cat's water dish that I fell on. At this point I know that the winter is too long and it will surely be at least 5 months before I get to fish the warm open water. I think that the smell of powerbait does more for me than it does for the fish. It's a spiritual thing.

[Glenn]

Ladies and gentlemen, we've lost him.  He's done lost his mind.  :'(

There's only one cure for cabin fever.  He needs to go fishing!  

[Maineiac]

Oh Dan. Dan, Dan, Dan. You poor poor soul. Only one of us from the frozen north could truely understand your angst. There is ice fishing Dan. Otherwise you could find yourself sneaking into your tackle storage more and more this winter to rearange tackle. But we will know the truth. Remember it isn't good to sniff Power Bait alone so get some buddies over and have a group huff, ah er tackle sort,  that's it a group tackle fest and when all seems lost pop open a couple packages of Chompers Techno Tubes and drift off to a garlic scent induced fishing hallucinat.....er dream and...... no, better you take up ice fishing Dan.

[Danarchy]

I think we finally have about 6" of ice here now, so I just may get out there soon. As for the tackle thing, I think I have a problem, and admitting I have one is the first step. Oh, I uh..... I think I saw a split shot in with the swivels. I gotta go!

[bass109]

works and still can get anywhere.

[shtuka]

The original Power bait worked fine, but I do not like newer formula. There are better options out there.

Gulp does the trick but smells, it is sticky and the packaging is just terrible.

[RoLo]

I've found Berkley Powerbaits to be "very average"....pretty good, but nothing to write home about.

"Gulp" on the other hand, now that's really pushing the envelope.

I don't believe it's necessary to put up with that smelly goop to catch bass, but of course, to each his own.

Roger

[Vyron]

berkley is one of my favourite  but as i said in the past, most of the soft plastic worms work.

[.ghoti.]

Powerbait worms, tubes and grubs are always in my bag. They will catch bass. The fish rarely drop a Powerbait. A hit is almost always a catch, for me anyway. I do not believe that they will attract fish from any distance. It takes a good presentation to do that.

The 10" worms and the largest Powerhawgs, T-rigged, are good big fish, structure baits. The craws are good jig dressings. My favorite is the Tournament Strength worms. They are thinner and have a longer, thinner ribbon-tail than the regular Power worms. They have more tail action with smaller weights, making tham a good shallow water option.

I don't use Gulp anymore. Too much hassle for too little gain, in my experience. If you want to really "impress" your sweetheart, leave a gulp worm in your shirt pocket. It makes a mess in the washing machine. My wife was dsigusted with me for weeks after that one.

Cheers,

GK

[Dan:]

a 4" red shad powerworm can almost always catch a fish for me...I love em

[Brad_Coovert]

Powerbaits are good baits, but no better than anything else.

I've seen it proven that scent/taste on or in baits does not matter as much as we would like to believe.

Still, it is a confidence thing and I still prefer to use something that has some salt or scent added, even if the fish don't care.

Old habits are hard to break.

Brad

[Gorgebassman]

I remember years ago when they first came out I got a free sample of the power grubs. Me and a friend went fishing side by side same color (chartruese) I was using the power grub he was using a regular grub. I caught 5 fish in 15 min he caught none. Do they attract fish better I dont know for sure but I do belive in them and I often use them and do very well with them.

[BASS fisherman]

I agree with Rolo on this one.  I ain't touchin' that goopy stink plastic to catch some bass.  I do just fine without it.  

And the smell of that stuff, makes me wanna vomit.  Especially when it has been stewing in your tackle box all day in the hot sun and you open it to get another lure.  It hits you in the face like a brick wall.  

[Dan:]

I have come to LOVE the smell of Berkley's scents

[Brad_Coovert]

They smell great when you stick a few inside your buddies tent or in a pillow case.

Brad