We seem to manage to get up to Hoodsport about once a year in November with mixed results. This year we are gonna be up Nov 6-8 in a boat and I had some questions for anyone who cares to share.

What are your prefered lures and methods to consistently catch fish from a boat?

I've tried dragging corkies with a slow retrieve with very little success and seem to snag fish that way too - what is the trick to it? As for just setting the corky out there, the fish aren't that close to the bottom so I have to believe that those who catch fish that way just line them. I've done well with corkies but only from the bank when there is a good current and all the fish are swimming through the same way and I'm sure they're just being lined.

Someone else suggested tiny spoons last year - How small? Do you switch out the hook for something larger and doesn't that ruin the action? Or are you actually hooking and landing them on the tiny stock hooks? How much weight do you put in front of it?

Has anyone had good luck with jigs? Seems like snagging would be more minimized and it would basically like the slow retrieve corky thing. I caught one this way last year, first cast of the day, but then nothing else. Any thoughts?

My best consistent luck has actually been on steelie sized pink spoons retrieved very slowly and with a siwash hook to minimize snagging. We seem to lose 3 times what we catch though - fish that are clearly mouth hooked. I guess maybe the weight of the spoon makes it easier for them to shake it.

I'd appreciate any advice - on forum or off.

ALSO, if we get burnt on Hoodsport anyone got any secrets they want to share with out of towners about where on the canal to get some late silvers or where to find chum thick in some river from the bank? Don't worry, we don't come up enough to ruin it for you. Just looking for a fun couple days vacation is all.

Steve