How/Where/When are steelhead caught in the salt? anyone ever caught one incidentally while fishing for other species? if so what were you using?

I've caught 4 in Alaska in 15 years, 2 were caught mooching herring, 1 was caught trolling herring and 1 on a trolled spoon.

I used to fish for them off the beach at Bush Point on Whidbey Island. We casted spin and glows with hootchie skirts. I have not hit this fishery for awhile, but we used to go when the rivers were out.

The steelhead apparantly hug the shorline as they move south. I have never done this fishery from a boat. Most of the fish were hooked just a few yards from the beach.

I caught one fishing out of Westport about 10 years ago. Mooching herring off a charter. I've only been on a charter twice.

A buddy of mine caught one off the shore fishing for silvers in Port Townsend Bay a couple of years ago.

I caught one in Willapa Bay while mooching herring and fishing for kings, no kings but did catch the steelie.

I have seen them caught out at Bush Pt of the beach. The guys who put in the time there will get their fish.

My first steelhead ever came from Ft. Casey. It chased the hoochie down in a big wave. The wave broke and receded leaving a nice steelhead flapping on the beach. Luckely subsequent metal encounters have proved a tougher fight. I've also caught one mooching at no point. I still hit Ft. Casey while visiting friends on the Island or during Arctic Blast events! Pretty hit or miss but like it was said earlier those who put in their time will catch fish (#1 rule of steelheading of course)! One of the most enjoyable fishing environments I know of! I often share the beach with my good friend Yukon Jack!

We also caught a nice 15-20# nate in the salt at bouy 10 this august, (released unharmed) what a beautiful fish fought hard, trolling hearring with a diver