So heres my problem. I am trying to learn how to powerfish, and so far its been a pleasant experience. We went to a lake the other day, and I outfished my partner 3-1 while I was using agressive tactics with a jerkbait and he was working a tube. My question is, what type of reaction bait would you use in my conditions. The water is about 47-50 degrees and stained, the lake has a distinct weedline along the shore that drops off from only a few feet to about 20 feet very quickly, with a few shallower weed beds. I was wondering if i could be catching more fish if i was using a deeper running crankbait or a rattletrap. Do you think i should give swimbaits a try?

I would use a rattletrap.  Burn it across the tops of the weeds, and sometimes let it get stuck a bit and rip it out with a big sweep of the rod.  That gets reaction strikes.

Here is another suggestion:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180909581

8-)

what about "popping" a jig?

Spinnerbaits, lipless cranks.

Spinnerbaits, lipless cranks.

Yep.

Lipless cranks have done well for me in similar situations.

If there is some water over the weeds try running a Mann's 1- minus across the tops of the weeds.

Lipless crank.

Like EastTexasBassin said, I would be ripping a 'trap across the tops of the weeds. Spinnerbaits along the edges would work well too.

Sounds like it was a good think i just picke up a sexy shad strike king lipless crank last week.