Headed to Hawaii in March… plan to fish for a day, just wondering if anyone has recommendations or contacts.
Thanks!
We fished with Chupu charters (the boat was Foxy Lady, but I don’t know if it still in their fleet)and caught a blue one, but it was a fight getting them to release the fish. It is just part of the culture on most of the islands, for better or worse, they eat or sell just about every fish. The captain was lamenting the fact that fish numbers were way down compared to the 70s/80s, but then in the next breath says that they don’t release many fish.
If you decide to hit the big island, Kona has arguably the best charter fleet in the world, with a shot at a grander every month of the year. Extremely short runs (we were putting out the outriggers as soon as we left the harbor) and really flat seas. I got a nice 550lb fish with Humdinger there 2 years ago.
Kona has caught the catch and release attitude much more that the rest of the islands (they still kill fish, but not in the numbers that the other islands do).
I agree with Lowcountry on the CnR in Hawaii. It’s definitely a harvest mentality/culture. My first billfish ever was a shortnosed spearfish caught out of Kona in about '99. The Capt said that’s the rarest and toughest billfish to catch but they still kept it.
If you’re interested in chasing giant bonefish on the flats around Honolulu, I have a couple contacts.
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
I don’t have any fishing advice but if you stay in Waikiki beach Diamond Head is a short 3 mile walk from the beach and there is an old fort and gun emplacements inside. The view from the top is amazing its been a while since I was there it my recollection that there are about 500 steps at one point in the hike. The entry fee is $1 cash for those on foot or 5$ per car bring water
http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/?park_id=15
Also check out Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling. I took my 5 year old (half) sister in there and put a life jacket on her backwards and she snorkeled around with us for hours. Stills talks about it.
I’m not versed in snorkeling, but it was amazing. It is an old volcano crater with an edge fallen into the sea allowing saltwater to get inside. It is very shallow and has tons of life. We went 2x the week we were there.
BG
I fished for a day in Honolulu 3 or 4 years ago. Fished out of Kewalo Basin, which is a couple of miles from Waikiki Beach. It was a split charter,$200/person on big sporty for all day. You can take the bus from Waikiki and back for a dollar or so. We caught maybe 3 or 4 smaller billfish and a small dolphin. It all went in the cooler. There are more fishy places I’m sure, but it was convenient for the one day I had to fish, what time I wanted to get up in the AM, and not wanting to rent a car. There is a charter boat row of sorts at Kewalo Basin with several staffed booths. Good luck.
Sea Hunt 207CC,Yam F150
Carolina Skiff (old school model)17’ Suz D50
Lived on Oahu for 4 years and fished all sides of the island regularly. For charter I would recommend fishing the west side or “leeward” side of the island. The water is usually calmer on that side and good fishing. Try Boom Boom charters. You can get to the FADS in 500 Fathoms 4 miles offshore. Can get to 1000 fathoms not much further.
Watch out for Nip Zeros
Take Sunscreen & visit Pearl Harbor Memorial
220 Outrage
250 Verado
Fished Kona on a half day. Baits in the water right out of the jetties. Trolled for nearly 4 hours… ZERO knockdowns… Zero fish. It was in November. I was pissed.