Rob-
On the Question 4 matter-
I hate snagging fish as much as you do I am sure. I know too that there are sometimes...like with chumlings, that no matter how hard you try, you are going to snag a few. Same with coho. As you know jigging can be absolutely deadly for coho and if done correctly most will be fair, but there are always going to be a few fouls. I think that the most important thing is intentions. If your not try to snag a fish and you do, play it quick and release it or just break it off and don't lose any sleep over it.
As to the first question, I thought that you were once again reffering to fishing over here in the spring time for our steelhead. Sorry, got the wrong impression.
Tim Lennox