Hawk,
I am a begginer with plugs also. I have fished plugs for salmon, but steelies is a completely different adventure for me. I run tadpolly's more than anything else, they are the top plug! I run my plugs at equal lengths usually 40-45 pulls. I will tell the people in my boat to start letting there plugs out now, and they look at me and say hell were only in 6 inches of water. My point of this is that I want my plugs working before I am in the hole or slot that I want to plug. I have had luck hitting fish at the head of the hole or run on low and clear days. You may not hit a fish in the head but you lengthen your fishing area. This is just one of my tips. It may work it may not, but just thought you could give it a shot.

Thanks,
Andy Matthews