This is also a neat way to get blackmouth in the sound down around seattle. Instead of running a fixed float hook up a slidder and put the stop maybe 20 feet up the line (or more) then you just cast off one of the piers (86, alkai or the one by the aquarium)and let the herring drift naturally. You don't want to be right near the bottom or you'll catch alot of bottom fish. Size and color of the herring are the most important factors. They need to be as bright as possible and around the size of the forage fish that are in the area. Smaller sizes in the spring and larger ones in the fall is the general rule I go by but never over 6 inches. As far as fresh water is concerned it's definetly worth trying, I'd probably start with a small one-if nothing else you'd probably get alot of dollies.