Made it out for a bit of relaxation before the evening party. I wanted to check out some motor repairs that had been done as well.
Started with a bunch of other boats fishing around Meadows Point. I was experimenting with sockeye in saltwater, which appeared to be what others were doing as well, judging by the boat speeds and the dodgers I saw. I fished my normal lake setup and also a hot spot with a red hook, and a couple of pink tentacles like they use in Canada. No takers for me or anybody else that I saw.
About 8:30 I headed over to Sinclair Inlet to see if any kings were around. Trolled with a half glo/half green Coyote and a hot spot. I fished along the area in front of the Naval Shipyard, and was shadowed by a gun boat each time I got in front of the shipyard. When I got past it, they'd turn off until my next pass. It was clear I wasn't to turn West! I'm was glad to see them protecting us from the wackos. I got a couple of shakers and then got checked by a sheriff boat, who just looked at my tabs I think. He told me one other boat had a fifteen pounder and pointed to them, so I headed that way. I talked to them and they were using bait. On my second pass I got a good hit and the fight was on. The fish took a very nice first run. After I turned it, I realized that I had left the net at home. The fish was hooked really well in the top of the mouth with the Coyote's big siwash, so I played the fish until it was on its side and then tried to tail it. I got a splash!
of water in the face and had to grab the pole and maneuver real quick as the fish headed for the motors. On the second attempt I was successful and put the 11 pound clipped hatchery hen into the boat. I showed it to the gun boat on my next pass and they said "Nice Catch" on the loudspeaker.
Then it was back to the crab pots and off to the party! Hurray hurray for the USA!