Charter Fishing in Hawaii
Your Hawaii fishing charter starts with an early morning boarding. We prefer you board the charter
fishing boat at 6 AM. The 1st mate, Scot will help you stow your gear. Captain Rusty will explain fishing
boat operation and safety precautions. We like to depart the harbor before daylight,
our motto -- the early
fisherman catches the fish.
The fishing starts just outside the harbor. A trolling menu is selected and
five lines are set. We generally proceed to one of the buoys. The trip will take 1 to 2 hours.
It is not infrequent for hungry fish to interrupt the journey.
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Although a lot of people refer to it as deep sea fishing, Hawaii sport fishing,
is actually fishing in the upper layer of the ocean.
May 2002 Steve Mapúa with a fresh caught mahi-mahi.
Our Motto - The early fisherman catches the fish.
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Deep Sea Fishing in Hawaii
Our goal is to be the first to make a pass at the Fish Aggregation Devices (FAD).
The State of Hawaii has placed FADs in the waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands.
These buoys attract schools of tuna and other important pelagic fishes, such as
dolphinfish (Mahimahi), wahoo (Ono), and billfish.
Unlike, the Honolulu side where the nearest FAD is 16.7 miles. We have 3 buoys to chose
from. Being on the windward side has the added benefit of floaters blown our
way by the winds. Floaters attract fish. This is where the concept of FADs orginated.
Finally, game fish seem to like the rougher water.
Pelagic fishes tend to aggregate to floating objects. Researchers have found that anchoring a
buoy or platform in the open ocean will also attract and hold pelagic fishes.
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FADs act as reference points for tuna, billfish and mahi-mahi. They move
towards them during the day. Juvenile tuna are known to hang aroung them
for as long as 3 months.
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Marlin Fishing in Hawaii
At the buoys, we break out light tackle,
50-lb test, and jig for Skipjack Tuna (Aku) and Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi).
May 2002 Mike Mapúa boats a small Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi). Nothing beats a good fight.
Yellowfin tuna are tough fighters and are up for it.
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The small lively Aku are bridled up for live bait fishing on the outriggers, for any hungry marlin
lurking in the area looking for an easy breakfast. Blue Marlin feast on tuna and we are happy to oblige.
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We continue to jig for Aku, Ahi and Dolphin Fish (Mahi-mahi) or cut some Aku for chum and
bait on the light tackle, hoping nothing too big grabs the bait and breaks the line. We
prefer the big ones take the bait on the outriggers.
When everyone is tired of reeling or the bite is slow, the captain may decide to go hunting
for open schools of fish. They are located by looking for excited birds congregated in one
spot or finding floating debris that harbor smaller fish that attract the larger game fish.
The tuna tower gives the deckhand a better view to spot these potential opportunities.
The fishing does not stop on the return trip, as you never know when fish may be attracted
to the lures.
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Hawaii Fishing News
Back in the harbor, it is time to unload the day's catch and take the final pictures.
Depending on the day's catch the captain will filet enough fish for everyone to have a couple
of fish dinners.
We will post your pictures on the web as part of our charter fishing report. Many fishing
websites, link to these pages as part of their Hawaii fishing news reports. Your report
will have a link that you can email to your friends and family.
Any fish can be mounted. Ask Captain Rusty for information.
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A Big day of big game fishing. A hefty Blue Marlin, lots of
dolphin fish (mahi-mahi), wahoo (ono).
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