I had alot of "firsts" this weekend.

7/26: Took the girlfriend out for our first run at Skunk Bay/Point No Point. Hit the water before sun up, buzzed over to Skunk Bay(25 minutes in my little boat) from Salsbury and had gear in the water by maybe 6am-ish. This was our first trip using the new fish finder, the 1085s, our FethaStyx downrigger rods and our Tekota reels so the excitement level (and expectations) were high. We spent the first part of the morning experimenting with the FF features, adjusting the downriggers and working through the inaugural run learning curve.

We trolled with the tide towards PNP and the girlfriend hit our only fish of the day around 8:15am off Norwegian Point 75 feet down on the cable in 120 feet of water, on a Army Truck Sonic Edge trailing an 11" Q-Cove blue flasher. The little jack was fat and measured 18" but went back to grow some more.

We fished through the tide for another 30 minutes but decided to head back since our fuel level was a little lower than I was comfortable with.

7/27: Hit the water at the same time with the same expectations, but this time had my cousin with me who was also a downrigger rookie, so the same learning curve was in play. Trolled past Norwegian Point and decided to see what all the fuss was about at PNP. We could see the boats in the distance, but had no clue how hectic it was until we got about 1/4 mile away. I'd guess there were 70+ boats around the area and we were easily the smallest(14.5' Gregor) besides some guy in a Kayak...reminded me of fishing the Cowlitz on a weekend. We were on the North side of the point and decided to make the turn back towards Foul Weather Bluff to escape the madness, and thats when my rod got SLAMMED! Good to see that the fish aren't boat prejudice and only bite the guys in the $20k+ fishing machines :) ! My cousin panicked and couldn't get his rod out of the clip or either of the cables up so I was fighting this fish with everything still in the water. We must of looked ridiculous as we jumped back and forth from seat to seat in an attempt to keep that fish from wrapping up. After three failed net attempts we FINALLY got it in the boat and bonked my first king. Sweet sweet victory. 15lb hen and chrome bright. 85 feet of cable in maybe 100 feet of water? Coho Killer Dbl. Glow EX "Green Frog" trailing behind a 11" green QCove flasher.

First run with new gear, first experience in a new area, first salt water fish of the season and first king EVER.

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