Weekly material / Trout fishing with the Powertail Evo lure from Fiiish

Trout with Powertail evo
Trout with Powertail evo © Alexandre Chevaillier

When the innovative French company Fiiish releases a new product, we're always impatient. In this case, it's an evolution, as the name suggests, of the Powertail lure, which in 2026 becomes Powertail Evo.

Presentation

The range has been simplified, with the new Powertail evo available in 3 sizes, each with a unique weight: 30 mm for 2.5 g, 40 mm for 5 g and 50 mm for 8 g. The shape has also been slightly modified, with a slightly higher body. The shape has also been slightly modified, with the body slightly higher. 6 colors are available, ranging from natural to incentive. They are sold individually in a small blister pack. Armament consists of a BKK triple ventral. For ecological reasons, this lure contains no lead.

Before going to the water's edge, as the first tests will be carried out in a first category river, I'm going to change the tackle. Trout are fragile and nervous fish, and the single hook considerably reduces the risk of injury and shortens handling. The lure is quite spindly and compact and I'll have to trial and error to find the best choice. I did various tests with assist hooks and inlines.

Testing in real-life conditions

This little lure is a real missile. In this breezy start to the year, this characteristic is a real asset. Its compactness and density make casting very easy. It's an undeniable advantage when you need to reach far-off places, to gain distance and precision, but also when you need to cast under the rod. The latter can become very hazardous and imprecise with low-density lures, and fingers numbed by the cold don't help matters. With this Powertail evo, it's child's play to get through a hole in the vegetation or shave the surface to get under overhanging branches.

On recovery, it vibrates strongly, but without "pulling" on the rod like a spinner, for example. Here, it's high frequency and low amplitude. I was a bit worried that with this density, pauses would turn into the lure free-falling, but the plastic caudal appendage also oscillates on the way down. The lure continues to fish as it falls, allowing you to get down into the water to explore deeper spots.

The trout really like it and I quickly obtained very good results, especially when the fish are active. Despite its small size, its strong vibration is detected from a distance by the trout.

I had a few initial problems with my self-made assist hooks. My loop was a little long and the hook sometimes ended up on the back when casting, rendering it inoperative, as can be seen in the photo below. With VMC mini assist hooks, this problem is almost non-existent.

Still with VMC, I've used in-line 7237B hooks which have also given me complete satisfaction. I use n°10s for the 30 mm size, n°8s for the 40 mm size and n°6s for the 50 mm size.

This Powertail evo is mainly designed for prospecting fishing. It's unrivalled for fishing fast and beating ground to interest active fish. I like to use it at the start of a fishing trip. If the fish respond, it's the lure to keep. If they don't, I'll switch to a slower prospecting lure. I also use it for its casting ability in strong winds or when I need to reach a very distant spot.

This lure is also perfect for beginners and occasional anglers. Its strong vibration will give the user a good feel for the lure and its casting ability will make the novice's task much easier. I'm looking forward to introducing it to second category fish. Perch and asp should not remain indifferent to its irresistible wriggling.

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