My Fiance and I headed out of Shilshole Marina at about 5:30 am. Very rough waters. Seas to 4 feet. Wind was blowing from the south at about 10-15 mph. We had our lines in the water at about 5:45 am, down 61 feet on the riggers in 600-800 feet of water. She was fishing with a coho killer (green glow) tied approx. 30 inches back from a green glow flasher. I was fishing a green glow hoochie about 18 inches behind a green glow flasher. We trolled fast . . . 3 mph with the wind at our backs! The 12 lb rigger weights had about a 45 degree swing on the cable. Her pole was the first to start dancin about 15 minutes in the water! She jumped up and pulled it off the rigger and began to reel, but the fish was off after about 10 seconds. :( I reset her line again. Again, about 10 minutes later, her pole went straight then doubled over!! I thought for sure the fish was on this time since it took it off the rigger. But no. I reset her line again. About 15 minutes later, her pole again was dancin! This time I took it out the holder, pulled it off the rigger and set the hook. The fish was on! I handed her the pole and she brought the fish to the back of the boat and just as I was goin in with the net . . . fish off!! Crap! I put the net back in its holder. As she was reeling up the rigger ball, my pole started doin that lovely dance! I took it and set the hook. FISH ON!! I told her to get the net and as I played the fish to the back corner of the boat, she had the net in the water. I guided the fish toward the net. Yes! Fish in! But wait . . . I took a closer look and realized that it was a Blackmouth, maybe 21 inches. Had to release it! I've never caught a Blackmouth trolling that fast and so shallow! By now it was about 7:10 am and the water was only getting worse. We decided to call it a day because of the conditions. Off in the distance, I could see the Coast Guard coming! They had their cutter in the lead with a fast boat at it's flank. As we headed back in toward Shilshole, the fast boat (manned 50 caliber and all) approached us. They got on the loudspeaker and directed me to point my bow east (as opposed to southeast toward the marina). So I did and then a submarine surfaced in the channel and I understood why the show of force. Those subs create one heck of a wave though. :)

It's a good sign, I think, of the season ahead! Lots of action in just about an hour!!

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