When I started trolling the Sound a few years ago I was pretty much trolling Herring all the time. Now after fishing with, and learning from some of the guys around here that have fished the Sound for several years, like Downriggin' and Seacat, I personally run more Hardware than bait. BUT... I usually have bait with me at the ready if the hardware isn't producing. Last year was the first year that went primarily to hardware and my number one producer was a green Grand Slam Bucktail (boated 18 summer kings off the bucktail last August).

About trolling bait I will add this, and this is only my personal opinion. I will never troll a plug cut herring off a downrigger behind a flasher, I will always use a Rhys Davis Anchovy or minnow Teaser. Why? You can always change your spin by changing the bend and your herring will last longer in the hood than when plug cut. But like I said, that is just my opinion.