I think you're probably right about using a single hook, but I can't give up a herring strip on the hootchie. I think artificials tend to target smaller fish. While fishing with a friend using a spoon, while I used a hootchie and a strip, we noticed he caught way more shakers. I also leave the boat in gear, but I've had plenty coho over nine days at Sekiu this year that weren't going to be led like a puppie on a chain. They ran, tailwalked, jumped, spun and did what they wanted. They'd have been lost had I horsed them. Also use a de-hooker to release and that usually works well without netting or touching the fish, but not always. As for mark rates, I've noticed it varies by day and I think maybe by the patch of fish you're on. One trip a couple weeks ago, 70 percent were marked, including some jumbos. This last week it was the opposite. Still a phenomenal fishery.