In terms of tying leaders to hooks and a good end loop, surgeons knot works well, so does a perfection loop. I've used both and both are easy, but I've migrated to using the perfection loop. You can find how to tie it on YouTube. Quick, easy to tie and holds well.

I use a #4 Gamagatzu hook for Steelhead for shore fishing or fishing beneath a bobber. Steelheading is fun. Some good info in these posts already. Good luck!

I agree to try and identify the species you can see. Your Dept of Wildlife (or their website) might be able to help you out there. Don't be afraid to try several options. I was fishing a local lake yesterday. Couldn't get a bite. Tried trolling several different spinners/lures, bait fishing and nothing worked. Tied on a black rooster tail and started catching fish, including a 4+ lb Brown and a 2.5-3 lb Rainbow trout. If worms and corn aren't working try other baits like Power Bait, Mini-Marshmallows, or even try casting and slowly reeling in a Panther Martin or Rooster Tail lure. Experiment, and even if you don't get a bite, you are still enjoying the great outdoors! Beats video games and t.v. (in my opinion anyway)

I agree to try and identify the species you can see. Your Dept of Wildlife (or their website) might be able to help you out there. Don't be afraid to try several options. I was fishing a local lake yesterday. Couldn't get a bite. Tried trolling several different spinners/lures, bait fishing and nothing worked. Tied on a black rooster tail and started catching fish, including a 4+ lb Brown and a 2.5-3 lb Rainbow trout. If worms and corn aren't working try other baits like Power Bait, Mini-Marshmallows, or even try casting and slowly reeling in a Panther Martin or Rooster Tail lure. Experiment, and even if you don't get a bite, you are still enjoying the great outdoors! Beats video games and t.v. (in my opinion anyway)

18 foot Duckworth Advantage with a 90 HP Yamaha and a 9.9 HP Yamaha as well as a bow mounted 24 volt 70 lb thrust Minn Kota for trolling.

14 foot aluminum boat with a 15hp Honda outboard and a 55lb thrust Minn Kota for smaller lakes.

Steelhead. Unless your catch is all you have to eat. They are a wonderful fish, a blast to catch and they taste great, but there's a reason they call it the "fish of 1,000 casts" (or is it 10,000 casts)?

I recently put braid (with a leader) on my Bass/Walleye rods. I used 20lb Power Pro braid with 10lb flourocarbon leader. Works great. Should have done that sooner and will be gradually switching out my other reels as I replace the existing lines. Find a strong knot to secure the leader to the braid. There are several options. I've used the blood knot with some success but there are others that are arguably easier to tie. A good braid to leader knot will easily slide through your rod eyes and not be a problem on the reel.

For terminal tackle (Flies, lures, hooks, swivels, etc.) I use the Improved Clinch knot, a snell when appropriate, or a Palomar. I agree with the recommendation to study a variety of knots and see which ones best suit your style of fishing (and your fingers). Some are more difficult than others to tie, and even more difficult to remember how to tie them. Therefore, I suggest trying a few, settling on even fewer and having a strong knot to rely on given a variety of situations.

I'm in this club. I've always reeled with my left hand. It's sometimes hard to find a left handed bait casting reel, but some manufacturers offer left hand retrieve options. Abu Garcia for one. Guess that's a side-effect of growing up using spinning reels for most everything I fish for.

We are blessed to have a wide variety of fish here in Washington. However, its best to target specific species when fishing for them. What are you fishing for or where are you in the state? Trout are one of the most prolific species that I fish for and I use mostly Power Bait fished below a 1/4 ounce slip sinker. Slip the sinker on the fishing line and tie on a small swivel. Some folks put a small plastic bead between the sliding sinker and the swivel. Put enough 4-6 lb leader on to allow your bait to float above the weeds. Put some Power Bait on a size 8 egg hook, find a place that you can fish at, and that's all you need to catch fish. You can look on the WDFW web site to find places they stock the trout. You can find that at http://wdfw.wa.gov/ Good Luck! Practice, patience, and perseverance will help you learn and become successful.

I have a 14 foot aluminum fishing boat that I can easily load and unload from the trailer. That might be a good place to start. I've also fished a 16 foot skiff that is more flat bottomed. It's pretty stable also. if you're primarily lake fishing, I'd probably go with a 14-16 foot aluminum. I fished mine with just a stern mount trolling motor for quite a few years, but not have a 15 hp Honda outboard in addition to the electronic trolling motor. It's a nice set up for fishing smaller lakes.

Thanks edkealer. I'll try that. Maybe I'm making it more complicated than I need to by trying to run multiple lengths on my trolling gear. I'll try setting them up equal distant and you're right about the turns. I think that's where I'm running into problems. I'm underestimating the turning distance and that's probably what's causing most of my tangles. I'll learn more about it this season as I get more time in the boat.
Thanks!

Planer boards are great. I have a couple, but don't always use them. I'll learn more about them this season as I get more time in the boat. Thanks!

Good info. I currently don't use down riggers, but probably will make that investment sometime this year. Thanks for the info on the weights. I'll keep that in mind.

Thanks!

How do I set up the trolling rods for fishing four poles from my 18 foot Duckworth? Do I set the poles closest to the back of the boat first or last? Are these the ones I set closest to the boat? E.g. 50 feet and the ones from the port and starboard that are closest to the front of the boat at 75-100? I fished various configs once last year and ended up tangled more often that I'd like to admit. Any lessons from those with experience welcome! I fish without down-riggers or out-riggers, just long line behind the boat.

Thanks and tight lines!