This will be my first attempt at blackmouth in the winter. I live in the Everett area. I've heard that Hat Island is a good place to be as well as the west side of Camano Island.

Can anybody verify this? what time? Do you troll with or against the tide or does it make a difference?

Also, I'm wondering about bait holders for herring...any preferences?

Rookie, try fishing the “race track” which is the ridge that runs between Hat Island and Camano Head. Fish the edge of the ridge in about 120 feet of water and if your trolling have your downrigger weight just off the bottom. You can fish bait if you want but most fish plugs or flasher/squid and flasher/spoons, especially if there are a lot of dogfish (green eyes) around. If shakers are a problem go to 5 inch plugs like a Tomic 600, 603 or 84FLG.
If you were really new then I would emphatically suggest booking a trip with a charter boat like Gary Krein from “All Star Charters.” His number is 425-252-4188.

The recetrack would be a good place to try except that area is closed this year for winter salmon fishing! You must remember that you can't go fishing anywhere in this state anymore without reading the regs first. You might need a lawyer to help you understand everything, I do. The area farther west, out by Baby Island and Greenbank is a good bet for blackmouth. If the weather permits I usually fish at Posession Point. When it was open earlier this year I went out a few times and had real good luck with 5 inch Silver Horde plugs. There are too many shakers to use bait, and the plugs tend to hook the bigger fish more than the little ones. I tried using flashers and squid or spoons but I couldn't troll for more than a couple hundred feet without getting a shaker. That gets old real quick when you are using downriggers, even if they are electric. Good Luck!