Gravel/cobble bottoms, especially the edges where the bottom drops off a little more sharply than the surrounding area. With sandy bottoms at one extreme and rocky pinnacles at the other, you want the "middle ground" as far as hardness is concerned.The edges of "humps" are best, but nothing magic about any particular depths; it's all relative to what's nearby. If you're in the San Juans you're not far from Hein and Eastern Banks, Smith Island and some of the other spots that are traditionally worth investigating. As for landikng them, a net works fine for fish up about 35 pounds; from 35 to 55 or so you can gaff themn; bigger than that I'd recommend a harpoon with a big float attached to the harpoon line. And yes, they will often chase a bait or lure well up off the bottom, but you're still better off staying within a few feet of the gravel most of the time.