Thank God powerbait doesnt work to well over here. One thing I remember about the fishing over in east (I know I havent done as much as you guys but you'll probably agree anyways) is that you could just put a gob of powerbait on a hook and toss it out! I havent caught more then a handful of fish over here without some kind of action or meat on the hook.

As for the pop gear, look at the fishing techniques, the trolling on this site. You get some nice pics, and once you see them, it will totally click in your head what it is.