Does anyone know if there is a place around Puget Sound where you can buy live herring or live Sand Dabs, or some other small live saltwater critter?

There's several places that sell live herring. Sand dabs I believe you'll have to catch yourself. You can buy live sand shrimp fairly easily. The places that I know of to buy herring are:

Point Defiance Marina
Narrows Marina
Someplace in Edmonds?

Perhaps others could add more?

I have a friend who did quite well on lings last wek with sand dabs. He caught his own in shallow water then went out to a deep pinnicle and limited quickly. One was well over sized and, of course was released.

What's the best way to catch sand dabs, anyway?

I like nightcrawlers... or small bright crappie jigs.

Shallow sandy areas less than 10 feet are great for the 6-8 inch sand dabs. If you want big mamas, head a little deeper 20-70 feet

I am out tomorrow for Lings off the Narrows and probably Tolive Shoal if I am chased out the bridge construction area.

Sanddabs in particular have small mouths, but like any other flatfish will eat just about anything you throw their way. of course you'll only catch them if you're fishing in a sandy area. Don't be afraid to use flatfish the size of a dinnerplate. Big baits=big fish.

Whats the best way to rig a live sand dab?

SA

There are a few ways to rig, but one of the more popular ways is to take a 2/0 or 3/0 hook through the lips and a 6/0 or 7/0 through the back.

Most folks will use a mooching (banana type) sinker; however, I like the ball type and a dropper in case I hang up (which is going to happen). Then some folks like a bottom walker type of rig...

[QB] Whats the best way to rig a live sand dab?

Imo, a single light wire circle hook through the nostrils.

My rig for live baiting LC's is threading the mainline (30lb powerpro) through a barrel swivel, then a bead, and then tiing it off to a beadchain swivel. Off the barrel swivel tie 24" of 15lb mono. Then a cannon ball (2-6oz). Off the beadchain goes a 20" 30lb mono leader to a 5/0-70 circle. (2/0-3/0 for shinner perch)

You gotta let the ling take the bait, and with the circle hook, no hook set is needed. After the strike I just let the fish have some line for about 10 or 20 seconds, and then just reel it tight. Gets 'em basically every time.

Advantages of rigging with a single circle are that it seldom gets fouled. Meaning that the hook point doesn't get lodged back into the bait. And the bait doesn't wiggle off the barbless hook as they sometimes do with an octopus hook. Plus the bait will stay very lively and it's movements aren't hindered . And once hooked, they don't spit it.

I use two 7/0 hooks, I thread the line through the gills and out the mouth. Stick one hook into the gill plate (similar to a plug cut). Pull the trailer completely through the tail. Hold on!!

LT