Forgive me if I am posting in the wrong area, but I think I am writing this in the right forum….

This Mid-August, I will be going to the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. We will be renting a boat to live on for the week. My wife wants to watch killer whales in the wild, and apparently this is the place to go. After looking into the costs of where she wanted to stay and meals, vs. the cost to rent a boat, she somehow agreed to renting/staying on a boat for the week. To me, this is a perfect opportunity to fish all week long. Since I have the boat, I have been banned from getting a charter, so I have to find out all I can on my own.

I have never been there, and I know nothing about fishing in that area. I have fished the mid atlantic coast - off the coast of new jersey for the last 15 years. I have access to a 50' Viking all summer, and am on it 9/10 weekends. I am doing my research now for this trip, and am finding very limited information. Anyone want to share some tips/techniques for fishing in that area? I would love a chance at a halibut, as the fluke we catch here are small, a big one here is 26 inches!

I will be headed there mid August. I have no idea what will be in season and what is and is not allowed there on the coast. I see some places barbless hooks are required, but not everywhere? And there, I think you need a out of state license, even though I am saltwater registered here?

Some questions I would like answered:
Can I rent equipment out there? Where?
Can I rent crab traps?
Do I have to have a separate license for crabs?
What is in season mid- August?
Best bets/ methods, techniques for a small keeper halibut?

I would also be willing to barter with someone to come on our boat and teach me the regs and methods out there in return for free boat usage and other reasonable requests. But remember, the primary reason for going is for my wife to be able to watch/ photograph whales, so there will have to be some tolerance to fishing being a secondary objective.

Actually, any information would be greatly appreciated – fishing related or not. This is a one week vacation that I want to make the most of. I appreciate any and all suggestions and recommendations. If anyone spots someone telling me the wrong information, please call it to my attention. I am flying blind on this one.

Thank you in advance!