We had to get moving earlier than normal to get down to the dock by 7:30. We made it by 7:38. The boat hadn’t left and no one else appeared completely annoyed so I consider that a win. We were fishing for halibut. Looking back, I realize I hadn’t done any of the basic research to understand what, why, or where. I just trust that Brian will pick good activities and am along for the ride.
First, I had no idea we’d be on the boat headed straight into the open ocean for like 1.5 hours. We were in about 100 feet of water which just seemed like a lot. Halibut live on the bottom. So the key were learned right away is to let your line all the way out until “plunk” your lead weight hits the bottom.
I also didn’t know that halibut have both eyes on one side of their face. I’m telling you. This is a seriously strange-looking fish. I’m not knocking evolution here- it’s just totally weird.
Anyway, at our first spot, only one guy got a bite.
The captain decided to move us a little. Once in the new spot, it was just one after another.
Marin got hooked on fishing fast. She’s so competitive (in a good way). I could hear her muttering to herself under her breadth about beating the other people on the boat to be the first to pull in a fish. She’d already assumed she’d beat everyone in our family- which she did. Brian and I “got” to help Baya and Linc catch their limit and then work on ours. We were fishing for a solid hour or more and caught our 10.
Everyone LOVED it. It was fun because there was a lot of action and excitement every time you got one on the line. The deckhands were really kind and helpful—and working their asses off to pull all the fish in the boat and get them into the holding tank.
Once everyone had caught their limit, we headed back. The crew cut up our fish right there on the back of the boat. We were met by a processor who will freeze and ship it for us.
In the meantime, Brian’s looking for a new freezer and fish fryer from Home Depot and I’ll be pinning recipes. We’re going to be eating halibut for a while.
Things I want to remember:
After catching her limit, Baya asking me if she could help me catch mine.
Linc not shying away from the opportunity to whack the fish on the head.
Eating out for the first time in 6 months and getting a yummy fresh mix of halibut, salmon, scallops, and shrimp- all caught in the water right out of the window. Then getting gelato on the beach and throwing more rocks into the ocean
