Let's say I'm going to run a Kwikfish wrapped with a sardine fillet while at anchor, in the Columbia, in 25' of water (theoretically speaking) -- should I just tie the Kwikfish directly to the (braided) mainline with nothing else, or should I run a leader and a dropper with some lead, or does it depend on flow?

Also, how far out should I run the Kwikfish -- 20'? 50'? Depends on flow?

You'll run a weight off of a dropper. I prefer to use a sliding rig for my weights. That way if my buddy misses the fish with the net and gets the weight the fish can still run. Trust me you will lose a fish to this if you don't run a slider. You can usually hold running 4-6 oz when fishing for springers. Use a 18-24" dropper line and you'll be in the zone.

Good luck
kris

What glowBall said.

What glowball said. Slider is better. anywhere from 12 inches to 30 inches on the dropper. Doesn't matter how far back, unless the bottom is uneven and you're trying to hit a feature of the bottom. if you don't need at least 3 ounces, you're not in the right spot, or the tide is not right.

I also fish some shallow spots (7-12') So I will flat line them out a ways. That has always worked for me.

I drop mine down on a downrigger ball about 30-50 ft. behind the boat. Don't have any problems with dropper weights that way and they'll generally hit hard enough to release it from the rigger.

AS
My uncle wanted to try that last year when we were down there, but I talked him out of it. He's a salter at heart. You let it out 30' behind the clip? I may be wrong, but that seems like it would leave a big belly when the fish first hammered the kwikfish. How is your hook up rates this way?

Thanks
Kris