I do not follow a straight line... I follow contours and structures. I am usually all over the place +/- 20 feet either side. (An exception would be an area like Manchester where the bottom is relatively flat throughout).

I don't like to waste a lot of time of on the water. What I like to do is start in the general area (depth) of where I know bait and fish will be at any given time.. Troll with the current until I find a sizeable bait ball. Once that is located, I will work that ball until I hook up. I will only work the bait ball cross current and never into it.

What I recommend to anyone is... go get yourself a large scale chart and mark these bait and fish spots everytime you head out. The reason is two-fold. (1) You'll recognize and learn these contours (or structures). This would especially good for new areas, (2) you will notice a pattern of a small area (or areas) of the spot you are fishing. This will be a distinct pattern! With the two bits of information above, you have just increased your odds 50%. For the most part, bait and salmon follow the same routes and will be in same areas at particuliar times of the years...
We all know that most bait travels north this time of year, but with a chart, you can pinpoint that minority....

Downriggin'