Some guys are willing to wade through the crap to set the hook on a salmon. Slack line on a singe action is fun! Anyway...there are a number of good drifts to hit around the sound. Point No Point is a pretty classic drift to hit. You can pretty much fish anywhere as long as you can locate the bait...and hopefully the fish. That new FF/GPS you're getting should help.

Docspud has a good point about the spin. I prefer a pretty fast spin myself. My belief is that I get a better action in slower current, drop or retrieve.

I also get away with fishing lighter sinkers by using lighter mainline, which cuts down on drag in the water.

Also throw a ballbearing swivel in between your sinker and leader to cut down on line twist.