Fishing Charter in Hawaii

quote:
Originally posted by dexter2

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A few years ago, I signed on a charter off the island of Kauai. It was myself and 4 kinda small Japanese fellows dressed like they were going to work at IBM. It was an old steel boat with a rickety old fighting chair. The captain ran the boat from a Marlin Tower. The seas were flat when we left the dock and I wondered why the capt came down to steer the boat from the lower helm as we were approaching the edge of the Island. In a matter of minutes as we passed the shelter of the Island, there was swells washing over the bow and over the Marlin tower [:-scared]leaving seaweed hanging from the upper deck. I found myself a seat on a Port side bench seat but my fishing companions stayed on there feet and tried to take pictures as they were getting thrown around the cockpit.
We finally slowed to a trolling speed and the mate let out 4 lines. It didnt take long before we hooked into a small Marlin. One of the Japanese fellows had drawn the longest straw at the dock and was the the first to get into the fighting chair. As the fish was stripping out line, he could not get one crank on the reel and after about ten minutes, the Marlin jumped and threw the hook. Man, that guy was happy to get out of that chair.
I did get a nice sized Mahi and it was a fun trip. Those winds can really stir up the seas when you leave the shelter of Leeward side of the islands.
 
I've chartered several times out of Kona on the Big Island. If Black Bart is still fishing there and I believe he is, he'll find fish but I really believe most of the guys there will. I've fished with three different Captains and caught fish EVERY time. Be advised however, these folks plan on keeping the fish and if you want them you will have to make arrangements ahead of time. Part of their income is derived from fish sales. Same goes, at least it used to, for catch and release. Marlin is pretty much useless for eating unless smoked and even then, in my opinion, it's an acquired taste. But, it does have value to the Captain as it can be sold for pet food or other purposes.
Kona: 38 lb Mahi Mahi
6'6" short billed swordfish, x 2
Ono (yahoo) 34 pounds
Black marlin, 154 pounds
Tuna, many, many, many but small and fun to catch
Mike, Palm Coast, FL
 
What boat106 says, only chartered once out of Kona and tuna was the only catch this day for us.
When my wife and I were there the Rolex tournament was going on so I had to catch a skipper on an off day. The group took a golf day and I then had opportunity to pick a boat.
 
Chartered out of Kona and Kauai last November. Don't remember the charter outfits specifically, but man was it slow. First time out (Kona) we were out for 4 hours and caught one mahi mahi (a smaller one at that). Second time out (Kauai) we caught nothing in 8 hours! No one else was catching either. Not sure if November is just a bad time to go, but it was pretty damn boring.
 
I took a charter out of Lahina, Maui. Excellent time to go in March. We caught 2 large bull Mahi Mahi and some Ahi. Overall a great day fishing...the name of the company was Start me up. Look on the net for mauifishing.
 
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