Probably the most fun I've ever had (fishing), was using deer hair bass bug floaters on a fly rod for cohos. Always in slack water river pools- not in the salt.

The surface hit from an 18 +++ pound coho on an 9 wt. is fun !

Using jerk Bass bait lures is also great fun for Silvers and Black Rockfish feeding shallow (less than 50 ft.) in the saltwater.

The "science" of bass fishing IMHO is probably the best training for learning how to find and fish structure, work a lure and tides. etc. and then carry it over to Saltwater fishing.

Especially for Halibut.

JB