[Rickhem]

You are actually at a very fun point in your quest. Learning a new technique, or fishing a new area, or for a new/different species has a learning curve, and its where you have to "solve the puzzle" so-to-speak if you want success with any regularity. As you progress, you can adapt prior success to apply to your current situation.
For Powerbait, here's my approach. Powerbait floats so you can use that to your advantage. I like a small circle hook as the terminal tackle. You'll be hard pressed finding very small circles locally, but they're available. Size 10 or smaller tied directly to a leader of 4 lb test, I use mono because it floats while fluro sinks. Ball up enough Powerbait to float the hook and leader. Then use a splitshot on your line 18 to 30 inches from the hook. That distance will change depending upon where you fish, and what the bottom is like. You want your Powerbait ball floating up above the bottom clearly visible to the trout. If there are weeds, rocks, whatever, you need a length of line between weight and hook to be above them. Odds are, from what you've said already, you'll be dead-sticking the bait rod, while throwing spinners or whatever with another rod. (That's the reason for the circle hooks) Cast out and go on fishing the other rod. The Powerbait slowly dissolves, putting scent in the water. When a trout takes it, it'll swim away with it, and probably hook itself if using a circle. Set your drag light when dead-sticking so a larger fish can pull drag and not take your rod for a swim. When you see your tip bouncing and a fish is on, just pick it up, tighten the drag if necessary, and play your fish in.
Good Luck!