Halibut fishing was one of those things I’d been wanting to try — I love halibut, and it’s just one of those experiences I hadn’t had yet. So I finally did it.

It was, overall, a pleasant day. The weather was beautiful, and most of the people on the boat were nice — except for the one young guy who was loud, not terribly bright, and more than a little annoying. Every group has one.

The highlight of the day: I caught the biggest halibut on the boat!

Then I landed a Ling Cod

Then I lost my lure and I was done for the day. We had to go 33 miles west of the coast to get our catch, but we did it.

We left the marina in Neah Bay at 5:15am and returned around 5:00 pm. Long day, with beautiful weather.

Back at the dock in Neah Bay, there were guys set up to fillet the fish. Not really my preference, but since I have no idea how to process a fish, I handed it over and let them do their thing.

My freezer is now stocked with about 14 pounds of fish – which, when you add in the cost of the trip, is no bargain. But now I know what halibut fishing is like, and that was the whole point.