My company is hosting a trout fishing tournament in a stock local pond, and it is to benefit a charity for seniors. The rule of engagement is live bait. I believe they are stocking the pond with rainbows, and we are able to bring our own baits. What would you guys recommending for live baits?

Nightcrawlers or small minnows.

I would not limit my self to one bait, try small minnows, jumbo redworms, spikes and waxworms

here every april and oct. they stock forest preserve lakes with rainbows.

minnows under a float have done well, just have to try differnt depths

What size hook were you guys use?

Also, I have read somewhere that cricket works very well. Anyone ever used them? How do you hook one anyway?

If they are stockies, you'd probably do best with Berkley trout dough, since its formulated to match the commercial feed.

Its not really live bait but we always used canned sweet corn and that did well.

crickets

Can you specifically ONLY use live bait?

If you need to use livebait try meal worms, wax worms, and rosy faces shiners.

If you can use anything try pink powerbait, salmon eggs both pink and yellow.

If you can actually SEE the fish buy some trout magnets in white and pink and tease them until they eat it.

I won't be able to see the fish, since the pond is sort of deep. Tournament policy stated fishermen only allow using live bait during the tournament. And the official said, Anything none artificial should be ok to use. So I guess pink Powerbait should work.

How do you rig a powerbait? I have never fished for trout before. What size hook should I use?

In a pond...use a "universal rig," which is essentially a Carolina rig, though smaller and less obnoxious.  A 1/8 barrel weight slid up the mainline, a small swivel, 12-18" mono leader in 2-4#, and a #8 to #12 bait hook.  I use Raven brand micro swivels and Blackbird hooks, though anything will work.

The other rig for this is just the opposite, and float rig.  A small, sensitive, slender fixed bobber, slid up the main line, enough split shot below it to make it neutrally buoyant, a small swivel, and a fluorocarbon leader (so it sinks) and hook.  This works great where there is current, or wind, to "trot" your rig through a section.

For the dough, I buy the bulk stuff, but it comes in little chunks as well.  I like to change the size, and mix colors, but you basically want a pea sized ball that just covers the hook.  The dough floats, hence the light hook and mono.  Rainbows can't really look down, so you want the bait to be up.

For colors on Powerbait, don't limit to just pink.  Pink, Orange, yellow, light blue, and combinations of these will all work.

Thanks. Time to go shopping.

Like Jfrancho said any powerbait could work. I have had the most luck with pink. I still feel that powerbait is artificial so you better double check.

If the rules are live bait must be used, grab some wax worms or mousies, and put them on the hook with the Powerbait, LOL.

If the rules are live bait must be used, grab some wax worms or mousies, and put them on the hook with the Powerbait, LOL.

LMAO!!!

I tho those powerbaits were made from dough? or not?

Its somewhere between cookie dough and ABC gum.

Do you let the bait sink to the bottom? I went out today to the pond for a field test, and got nothing. I have tried powerbait, and worms. Do I just let it sit at the bottom, and waiting for a bite? Or move it a little every so often?

Mostly let it sit.  The bait should float the hook.  Moving will stir up a little silt, and that can be a good thing.  You might also try a small spoon, to rile up interest, and then finish with the slower bait.

for using power bait dough , i use a size 5 split shot about 3-5 ft. up from a size 12-14 treble hook . you want the split shot to be just big enough to get to the bottom . i use this rigging with no leaders , no swivels , just attach the split shot on the main line ( 4-6 lb. p-line CXX) and as far as how much power bait to use , i alot on the hook , maybe 3/4" dia. ball of the dough 

meal worms (floated under a bobber), or small minnows weightless

hard to go wrong with live night crawlers.  small treble and sliding egg sinker like mentioned above. Throw her out there, let it sink... if you don't get a hit in the first five minutes, haul her in, check your bait, recast.

hard to go wrong with live night crawlers. small treble and sliding egg sinker like mentioned above. Throw her out there, let it sink... if you don't get a hit in the first five minutes, haul her in, check your bait, recast.

i like to blow them up with air ( worm blower) and rig them on a size 12 treble with a size 5 split shot 3-5 ft. up from the hook 

Do you guys use a bobble when fishing with a split shot? I tried with powerbait yesterday after work, and each time I reel it back in, the baits are gone. So, I am assuming I am not detecting a strike?

Do you guys use a bobble when fishing with a split shot? I tried with powerbait yesterday after work, and each time I reel it back in, the baits are gone. So, I am assuming I am not detecting a strike?

Make sure the bait is not falling off or starting to fall off from the cast...  smooth casting is key, don't whip the rod at all.

Also try not to leave any slack in the line, that will help you feel the strikes.

live nightcrawler with a hunk of powerbait dough (if you can use it) cover the tip of the hook with the dough and run the nightcrawler up the shank of the hook.  put that on a 2 to 3 foot leader and add some weight.  Keep your line tight and wait for the twitching to begin!

Do you guys use a bobble when fishing with a split shot? I tried with powerbait yesterday after work, and each time I reel it back in, the baits are gone. So, I am assuming I am not detecting a strike?

if you are having a problem with the powerbait falling off the hook, roll it into a ball and get it wet and to me that seems to solve the problem.  Makes it hold together on the hook better.