Free: Contests & Raffles.
I hooked a couple by using a chunk of eggs on the hook without any weights.We could see the steelhead and would cast about 20 feet in front of them and could watch them take it.Not sure if this helps I'm just starting to learn myself.
a long rod helps keep your line angle steep and therefore slows your presentation(the cowlitz locals use rods up to and over 13' at times).