Anyone ever fished in Kona, HI? - California Fishing

Jersey Guy · 02-01-2010, 10:14 PM

The latest round of violence made choosing between Mexico and Hawaii for our honeymoon a very easy decision for my fiance. Trying to explain that the violence was isolated to a few cities was pointless and p*ssed her off so off to Kona we go. I have fished off Oahu before, but never the big island. I know they have enormous Marlin, and if anyone can suggest a good charter boat it would be much obliged. I can not sit on the beach drinking mai tai's for a week.....I have to sneak in at least one day of fishing

dodoman · 02-01-2010, 11:08 PM

better off in mexico.
at least you can keep your catch .

hawaii, the fish is under heavy pressure and the captain keeps most all of your catch.
my uncle fishes it every year, and tells me the same story over and over.
the bill fishes , you may find some with many tags on them.
they been caught way to many times.
the cool part is , if you get on a party boat, they will b.b.q. your fish on the boat.

bigchuck808 · 02-02-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Guy

The latest round of violence made choosing between Mexico and Hawaii for our honeymoon a very easy decision for my fiance. Trying to explain that the violence was isolated to a few cities was pointless and p*ssed her off so off to Kona we go. I have fished off Oahu before, but never the big island. I know they have enormous Marlin, and if anyone can suggest a good charter boat it would be much obliged. I can not sit on the beach drinking mai tai's for a week.....I have to sneak in at least one day of fishing

I lived on Big Island and Oahu - Big Island Kona Side are where your major Fishers are. Like Dodo said you have Boats that are just "Big Game Hunters" and Cattle Boats just not crowded like here

DementedFish · 02-02-2010, 02:40 AM

Fishing hawaii is wayyyy over rated. I've done it twice on two boats with shitty ### fishing.

Badfish2 · 02-02-2010, 03:03 AM

Honestly, I go to Hawaii a lot and I rarely fish. If I do it's from shore with a beer and some food on the grill. Hawaii is about sun,surf, women, .....nothing more nothing less.

Jersey Guy · 02-02-2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodoman

better off in mexico.
at least you can keep your catch .

hawaii, the fish is under heavy pressure and the captain keeps most all of your catch.
my uncle fishes it every year, and tells me the same story over and over.
the bill fishes , you may find some with many tags on them.
they been caught way to many times.
the cool part is , if you get on a party boat, they will b.b.q. your fish on the boat.

I am on a honeymoon. I am not going to keep any fish. i rarely do when I am fishing at home.

Jersey Guy · 02-02-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badfish2

Honestly, I go to Hawaii a lot and I rarely fish. If I do it's from shore with a beer and some food on the grill. Hawaii is about sun,surf, women, .....nothing more nothing less.

2/3 ain't bad. I will try for a blue marlin...I am not stressed about it. If i do not catch one no big deal. not the main focus on the trip.

Jersey Guy · 02-02-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DementedFish

Fishing hawaii is wayyyy over rated. I've done it twice on two boats with shitty ### fishing.

two trips?? is that enough to give you an idea of an areas potential? I am going to try for a blue marlin...if I do not catch one that is OK.

dodoman · 02-02-2010, 07:44 PM

get ahold of CAPT JEFF .
here is his january wrap up.

Kona Hawaii fishing report – Jan. wrap-up .

The start of a new year so Kona’s “Big Fish List” starts fresh. 22 kinds of fish make up the list but last year, one slot, bonefish, was never filled. “Grander” marlin (over 1000 lbs.) takes the top of the list almost every year but until this years grander(s) are brought in, it’s anyone’s game. On new years day a 197 lb. blue marlin started the top of the list. Just 6 days later I took the top with the first “beast” (over 500 lbs.) blue marlin of the year weighing in at 598 lbs. Both the angler and I had decided to release the marlin early in the fight but it sounded and died during the fight so we brought it in. The glory of making the list was short lived as I was beat out just 3 days later by 2 1/2 lbs. and that marlin currently stands as the biggest of the year. The blue marlin bite has been pretty good for winter but the striped marlin are making a very poor showing so far. I sure hope more show up because they are absolutely delicious! The spearfish are making a strong showing early in the season and are a lot of fun on light tackle and one of the best eating fish you can get. I let my anglers make the decision on whether they want to release those or eat them.

Yellowfin tuna bite remains good for the big ones in the porpoise schools and also for the smaller ones on the FAD’s. Some mahi mahi are still around so keeping some lighter tackle out there for them, the tuna’s and also the spearfish makes for some good fun. It’s been a hard decision lately to go trolling in the deep offshore or to stay near shore and troll shallow for the ono. The bite on ono has been good too and few boats are targeting them so it really boils down to a decision of whether you want a shot at a marlin or not because marlins very rarely go in the shallows.

The bottom bite has turned back on and even though the trolling is good, there’s still a chance of coming up empty handed if all you do is troll all day. With the bottom bite being good, there’s almost no excuse for not catching something. I tag and release the majority of the bottom fish but I had yet another fish die on me. This time it was a giant trevally (GT) so we took it in and weighed it. Though it wasn’t my first GT of the year, you don’t make the “Big Fish List” unless you get your fish weighed in so the ulua (Hawaiian for GT) slot now stands at 41 ½ lbs. Not a hard number to beat but a respectable size for GT anyway. Personally I’d rather not have anymore fish die on me but I have been eating plenty of that marlin because I had it smoked and my neighbors, family and friends are having a good time with it too. There’s lots of meat on a fish that big. The GT was caught by locals and was also consumed but they also would have rather have see it swim away. We call it sportfishing and some types of fish are commonly kept while others are commonly released. I’ve said it before and I’ll remind you again, some boats kill everything they catch so if you’re not into that, check their policy before you book with them. Also check their policy on keeping a portion, or even all of the eating fish. Many boats now have their policies on their web sites but if they don’t, beware.

See ‘ya on the water,
Capt. Jeff Rogers
FISHinHAWAII.com

dragonfeathers · 02-02-2010, 07:46 PM

hey Jersey..... Sorry to hear the fiancee wont go to Mex as I tend to agree that the better fishing all around is either cabo east cape or P.V. having said that Kona will hold the big beasts
Check out startmeupsportfishing.com or call toll free at 800-590-0133

Jersey Guy · 02-02-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonfeathers

hey Jersey..... Sorry to hear the fiancee wont go to Mex as I tend to agree that the better fishing all around is either cabo east cape or P.V. having said that Kona will hold the big beasts
Check out startmeupsportfishing.com or call toll free at 800-590-0133

I hear ya...if the news stops reporting on people getting their heads cut off, maybe I can convince a small town Kentucky girl that Mexico is the place to be.

dvl4fun · 02-02-2010, 09:40 PM

been to Hawaii a few times, fished the salt once off maui it was alright. nothing what was promised. oddly enough i fished one of the streams for largemouth bass in Kauai with my brother 4 or 5 years ago. we didnt have any plans on doing it but read an article and tried it out, although the guide promised us peacock bass "for sure", they were no where to be found, but we did have a great day flipping senko's on largemouth up to 3 and a half pounds. I think we got a pretty good day though I have talked to others that said they have'nt had much luck doing exactly what we were doing. we whacked about 20 between the two of us. drank some beers had some fun, and then paid the guy 250 bucks for 7 hours of fishing,------worth it??? i guess...!

RamboStriperBoy · 02-03-2010, 10:11 PM

I'm from Hawaii *hang loose*

take her to the big island Hawaii

Have fun and enjoy on your honeymoon with her.

bigdee · 02-10-2010, 09:06 AM

Hey Jersey, has you new wife looked at the RUI Palace in Cabo (All enclusive) great everything lots a security everywhere. Town is 5-6 miles away and again lot of police around. Dodo's are everywhere. 2 1/2 hour flt. 30 min to the hotel from the airport and all the tequilla sunrises you can drink at the check in counter, yes i consumes several wow.

Jersey Guy · 02-10-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdee

Hey Jersey, has you new wife looked at the RUI Palace in Cabo (All enclusive) great everything lots a security everywhere. Town is 5-6 miles away and again lot of police around. Dodo's are everywhere. 2 1/2 hour flt. 30 min to the hotel from the airport and all the tequilla sunrises you can drink at the check in counter, yes i consumes several wow.

dee,
we looked at a few places in Cabo...but she has her heart set on Hawaii now. Every scar I have on my face is due to a tequila night....I put myself on a self imposed ban....