You are an amazingly gifted fisherman cause I've been fishing longer than you've been alive by quite a bit and for some reason I'm not capable of safely releasing power bait caught fish. One day you will have to share your techniques with all of us so we all can use power bait for C&R.
Please if you have to use that "technique" use it on the county or city put and take lakes, do not use it on those beautiful BBL trout!
I have always done very well using inflated night crawlers sprayed with Berkley Gulp Garlic. I have seen this method out fish power bait, but that is just my recommendation. I fish the crawler on a slip bobber rig. The other tactic for Big Bear that works is lead core trolling needle-fish. I use my electronics to identify the thermocline, usually between 15-25 ft, and troll the south side of the lake between the Dam and the Zebra Room. I have caught some nice rainbows doing that on a more consistent basis than any tactic from shore. Only in the early morning will I drop shot power worms on the secondary points, before the skiers make it out.
I was using nightcrawlers but the small catfish kept biting on them so i got tired of that and just threw powerbait out
We rented a pontoon from big bear marina and just trolled rapalas and needle fish for a bit and landed 1
I was also throwing out some jigs,spoons and roostertails and no love at all
You have to use lead core line and troll in a z- pattern. Using electronics makes all the difference. Hire a guide and you will be amazed what you learn about BBL. That is exactly how I learned.
http://bigbearfishing.net/, this is who I used.
Looks like a nice little vacation. Thanks for sharing.