LADIES AND GENTLEMAN WE HAVE VENTURED INTO THE SALT! yes folks I have taken a break from trolling lakes to catch some elusive winter blackmouth with Rmrauscher, the best guide on the water.

SHORT REPORT:

hit the water at 7:30 and ran to the fishing spot, started fishing an Old Goat lure and a Kingfisher spoon for about 90 mins with 4 shakers to show. switched the goat for a coho killer and right away, fish in the net nice 25" hatchery fish (10 pounds) . trolled around until around 3, caught 3 hatch fish around 20-21" and a handful of more shakers both wild and hatchery. great, great day of fishing. one to eat and lots more keepers.

LONG REPORT:

well, today was yet another day of great fishing. since we were one short of a limit, i said this day was a 4. however, if i were to rate this day on the experience and fun, it would be a 10 easy. woke up at 5:00 this morning to pack up and drive to Everett, where I was meeting Rmrauscher and launching in hopes of big salmon.

we launched at 7:30 and headed for our first spot, which was in marine area 8-2. we started fishing with uv flashers and uv baits, flashed with a blacklight and smothered in scrumptious herring scent. we trolled at around 2 mph, right along the bottom, about an hour into the troll, i hooked up with our first shaker. skunk off! right away, i got another one, little bigger but still plenty undersize. we then found Rmrauscher was trolling a shaker for a while. he then promptly picked another shaker... we were smoking the little guys like it was our day jobs. so, we were up to 4 little ones in 15 mins.

we continued the troll for about 10 mins, then Rmrauscher switched to a coho killer. 30 seconds after the drop, the clip pops, fish on! after a good fight, we ended up with a gorgeous 25" fish in the boat. the best part is that we caught the fish right in front of a boat launch, where a group was coming in! they were watching intently, hilarious! now, there is a rule in Rmrauscher's boat: if its a keeper, its at least 10 pounds. so, we got a nice 10lb salmon! we picked up and ran back thru the same troll in hopes of getting another fish.

5 mins into the troll, i hooked another shaker. gear back down and no more than 10 seconds go by when the clip pops, fish on! he is fighting hard, pulling drag, what a blast. we get him to the boat, he is close and hatchery so we bring him on board for a measure.... and i am not kidding on this number... 21 .8" CMON! COME ON! if i would have caught him 45 minutes later, he would have been a keeper. oh well still a fantastic fight and amazing fish... until next time salmon.

we continued the troll, picked up another shaker (19") and a flounder and then switched spots.

we arrive at location #2 and drop gear down in hopes of another 10 pounder. 15 mins into the troll, my release goes off, fish on! another good fighting fish, get him to the boat, gonna be close, hatchery fish, we bring him on board, 21.5" DANNNG. oh well, another great fish for next time. 15 mins later, FISH ON! i kid you not, same deal. 21". another great fish and fantastic fight.

after running into a minefield of crab pots, we called it a day. one great fish and 13 other fun catches. it was a great day of fishing by any means and just a fantastic day. all fish released swam away, and were handled with care. we also saw tons of dolphins, which was awesome! so cool to be in the saltwater seeing other animals that you just don't see in the lakes.

THANK YOU SO MUCH RMRAUSCHER!! what an amazing experience and i hope we can get out there again soon...

until next time, tight lines to all

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