maybe you should try mooching a dart or a herring off the clay bank at pt defiance. there is a cave in the cliff just before the tip of the point. i have done best there mooching in 30 th 50 maybe 60 feet of water. downriggers work better after the tide has changed but that's not your best option off of a 12ft aluminum. one hour before tide change to one hour after. 12 ft is ok in the sound. also, try launching at mcallister creek and running to the mouth of the nisqually to jig a pt. wilson dart (green) at the "green can" bouy. when the pt. getts hot then it is time to run out of totem marine or the pt defiance launch to the mouth of the puyallup. always best for the first hour of light trolling a five or six ounce with a cut plug. try to get a larger boat with a new motor so you can start fishing the mouth of the columbia. don't forget to W-D!!!