I launched out of Everett at about 9:30 am with my my friend Jeff and headed out towards Possession Bar. It was a little breezy but the water wasn't too bad until we got close the the ferry lanes! That's where it started getting sloppy. Since this was my first time out for local lings I was determined to get out there, so on we went. It wasn't dangerous by any means, but my 18' Smokercraft will beat the snot out of you in rough water. I trimmed her all the way down and slowed down to about 15 mph, and after what seemed like an eternity joined the other dedicated fishers.
After a couple of hours of wind and waves and no fish we decided to checkout Hat Island. Sure enough, the wind was lighter and the waves were smaller. There were 4 or 5 other boats working this area who also got beat up out at possession that morning. After a couple of drifts I decided that this area wasn't good ling water because there wasn't any rock around. It was just a big sand flat that just gradually dropped off, so I reeled in to make a move. Well just as my jig came into view i could see a large dark shadow following it up! Holy cow! It was a nice ling that I estimate at about 30". I stopped reeling and dropped the jig back in his face and vamoose, he was gone. Bummer dude! Disappointed but determined we fished on. So much for my theory of no lings on the sandy flat! About 5 minutes later the boat next to us starts hootin and hollerin, they just landed about a 30" ling. We fished on.
We never did boat a fish, or even get bit, but it was still an enjoyable day. I'll make notes of everything I learned and saw and put that info to good use at a later date. Good luck to you all, and to all a good night.

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