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Sport Fishing in Hawaii
Fishermans Paradise

Golfers who come to Hawaii find courses unlike any others on the planet.  Divers who come to Hawaii find a wealth of underwater life that is not found in many other places on Earth.  It is the same for sport fishers!  The blue, clear waters abound with trophy fish that you would be proud to mount on your wall at home – the biggest fish in the sea grow here. The largest fish ever caught with rod and reel was caught near Oahu.  It was a blue marlin, and it weighed almost a ton – 1805 pounds!  Hawaii is home to several sport fishing tournaments every year, including the venerated Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, that draws competitors from all over the world.

The most common “big-game” fish that are found near Hawaii are three varieties of marlin – the blue, the black, and the striped. Any sport fisherman with a reasonable amount of experience can come away with a “grander” – a fish that weighs at least half a ton.  Other fish in this category include the ahi, or yellow fin tuna; the mahimahi, or dolphin fish; the skip jack tuna, and the ono, or wahoo.  The striped marlin is only found in winter, but the others are found all year long.  If you latch on to any of these fish, they will definitely give you a ride.  The ahi and skipjack are known for their feisty unwillingness to surrender to a fisherman’s line.  Kona is one of the premier fishing spots, but while the North Shore of Oahu is primarily known for surfing, it is also the hiding place for many big-game fish.  It is hard to find a fishing spot in Hawaii that is not teeming with opportunities for sport fishing!

There are almost as many charter fishing boats as there are fish lurking beneath the sea, so you have a wealth of choices.  Most charter services offer half or full day expeditions, but you may want an even longer trip if you want to take the time to get to the very best fishing sites.  You do not have to have a fishing license, and it there are also a variety of taxidermy services to stuff your trophy fish.  Here are some tips to help make your sport fishing experience a memorable one.

1. Make sure your boat is the right size and shape to meet your needs and is the right type to accommodate the fish you plan to catch.

2. Make sure you stay on the right island.  If you are not planning to stay long, select an island that has deep water very close to the shore, so you won’t waste hours traveling to and from the fishing site.

3. Find out whether your charter service will provide tackle, ice, fresh water, and bait. If not, you will need to bring all of these with you for your trip. The ice will keep your fish from spoiling after you have caught it, and the water will keep you from dehydrating under the Hawaiian sun.

4. While the high temperature in Hawaii rarely gets out of the 80’s, the bright sun can be unusual to mainlanders.  You should select clothes that are meant for summer. Bring an extra T-shirt so you will be comfortable all day.

5. You will need a cap as well, to shade your eyes and cut down on sunburn.  A baseball cap or fishing hat will come in handy. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

6. If you wear polarized sunglasses, you will be able to pick out the fish in the sea.

7. Don’t wear sandals – wear shoes with closed toes. Boating shoes are made to keep your feet from sliding when a big fish runs off with your hook.

8. You will need to bring food and drinks. Aluminum cans work better than glass bottles, and salty snacks like pretzels or chips keep you from sweating out all of your salt at sea.

9. You may get seasick, so bring medicine. Get a good night’s sleep the night before the trip, to cut down on seasickness.  If you are awake and mentally active in the hours before your boat leaves, your risk of seasickness will decline.

10. Make sure you have a good dinner the night before your trip, and a small breakfast before you set out.

Did you know you can submit your own articles about Hawaii on this site? Tell the rest of the world about your trip to Hawaii. Isn’t that fun? Go to ‘Submit articles’ on the left and you’ll see how easy it is. I love to hear your stories!

Cruise and have fun,
Jack