The best thing I have learned is to keep your eye on trout stocking. Typically its been pretty hot even it being late October so I am not even fishing right now. But start researching which lakes have upcoming trout stocks. Once the weather cools the trout bite typically gets better and fishing becomes more enjoyable. Try to go about a few days to a week after they stock. Power bait is a good and fairly easy way with a Carolina sinker rig. But like hunting it is never guaranteed. I have been out one morning with power bait and limited out in a few hours for trout. Fished the following morning, same spot, same conditions and nothing all day. When they are hungry they will bite. I have been taking my 10 year old fishing since he was a toddler and he has caught many fish with us using power bait from the shore and he is now a fisherman for life. Using this technique has given us time to explore the banks, catch crawdads, etc. Hope this helps. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.