Hawaii, the Big Island, is the largest island in the state, which screams so much, especially to avid anglers! You can’t get enough of this chain of seven islands.
Throughout history, fishing has been integral to Hawaii’s way of life. You can imagine the countless number of fish species to catch from shore, the reef, the offshore, and deepsea. Wherever you are in Hawaii, across the Maui Channel to Maui, or Molokai to Oahu and the capital Honolulu, fishing is in a real sense surrounding you. One town lying in the heart of Kona district just on the west coast of Hawaii, renowned for deepsea fishing, is Kailua-Kona.
Often referred to as Kailua-Kona by locals is a sunny seaside town in the Big Island, one of the top fishing spots in the Pacific Ocean. Most days, the ocean conditions are more similar to that of a lake since mountains surround it and shielding it from the breezes. With deep waters (more than 3,000) a few miles from shore, there are many different fishes to catch around Kona.
A-List Fish Species
A wide variety of fish species are lurking here in Kailua, especially near the Pacific Ocean, thus a top fishing destination.
A few unique types of Billfish wander Kona waters, making offshore fishing the highlight of any trip. Striped Marlin is around most of the year, yet the best time is throughout the colder time of year. The tricky Spearfish is best from February through April. During April and May, many Black Markin caught, and throughout the summer, heaps of Blue Marlin are near.
Other than Billfish, Kona has great Tuna fishing with forceful Big Eye, Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tuna. There are likewise great catches of Mahi-mahi and Ono (Wahoo). Reef fishing will create a wide range of types of Grouper and Snapper, yet additionally Amberjack, Giant Trevally, and Sharks.
Recent Targeted Fish
Blue Marlin
The Blue Marlin is appreciated for its speed and strength. Thus, they are profoundly pursued by sport anglers.
This Billfish can be discovered all year in Kona because of the higher average sea temperatures in this Pacific area. The town of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii is known as the best place on the planet to look for Blue Marlin. While Blue Marlin fishing in Kona is beneficial all year, the peak season for Blue Marlin in fishing Kona is June through September.
Short-billed Spearfish
Widely known as Hebi in Hawaii, Short-billed Spearfish is the rarest and smallest of all Billfish species. This thin fish weighs typically under 100 pounds and has an unmistakable short bill. This pelagic species benefits from tiny baitfish like needlefish, flying fish, and squid and are focused on using smaller trolling lures or smaller skirted dead lures blended into the spread when trolling.
Because of their capacity to bear cooler water temperatures, these fish move through the Hawaiian Islands during the pre-winter and spring. Light tackle anglers profoundly pursue them.
Striped Marlin
The Striped Marlin is a Pacific Species of Billfish found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The species can be seen from the west shore of the US and Mexico. And all through the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Striped Marlin does not develop as extensively as their cousins, the Blue Marlin. They can arrive at loads of as much as 400 pounds in some regions of the world. The species gets its name from the striking blue and purple vertical stripes on its body when feeding.
Striped Marlin commonly chases and feeds in schools, and it is normal to get numerous fish simultaneously while trolling. Striped marlin is found in the waters off of Kona, Hawaii, throughout the cold weather for a long time, with the peak season being January through March.
Wahoo (Ono)
The Wahoo is a slim fish of the scombrid or the mackerel family found in the tropical and sub-tropical sea areas. In Hawaii, the Wahoo is additionally alluded to as Ono. These fish are valued for their tasty, flaky white to grey flesh that is perfect for grilling. The Wahoo is one of the quickest fish in the sea and can arrive at rates of up to 60 miles each hour. They usually develop to around 175 pounds, yet are all the more regularly trapped in Hawaii in the scope of 100 pounds or less.
They have sharp teeth, and as a result of their speed, can make rankling runs when gotten on rod and reel. Therefore, they are one of the valued game fish focused in the Hawaiian Islands. Wahoos are transient and start to appear in Hawaii in the pre-summer. Typically, the peak season in Kona is from the full moon in May through the end of September. Yet, you can expect incidental catches into the fall months relying upon water temperatures.
Dorado (Mahimahi)
Mahimahi in Hawaii, Dorado can be found all through the tropical, sub-tropical, and temperature sea areas of the world. Mahimahi is quite possibly the most valued game fish and known for its sensitive, gentle seasoned filets. These dolphin fish school in enormous numbers and feed on tiny baitfish, needlefish, flying fish, and squid.
Mahimahi is found all year in Hawaii, even though the winter month of December through April brings the best groupings of these fish through the Hawaiian Islands.
Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi)
Ahis are known for their strength and speed and set up a superb game on rod and reel. These fish invest their energy in the upper section of the water, where daylight supports plankton development.
Yellowfin fish can be found trolling artificial baits and slow trolling tiny live baitfish. Fishing for Yellowfin Tuna in Hawaii is fair from May through September, with the most gainful months being the hotter late spring, a very long time of June, July, and August.
Experience All Ways of Fishing
The huge competition of all occurs here, the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, presently going on 60 years. It never neglects to bring in groups from everywhere globally who relish pursuing Pacific blue marlin and Spearfish.
Heavy tackle is the go-to choice for Billfish on most charters, and somewhere in the 80 to the 130-pound range is the most well-known. The best Kona fishing sanctions will have a scope of light and fly tackle accessible as well, however. Bait and switch are extremely common here for driven record-setters – Kona has delivered IGFA records for Spearfish on tackle as light as four pounds recently!
Not every person is searching for that sort of cost or challenge level, however. You can opt to do another side of fishing.
From a Boat
With deep-sea fishing right at the lead of Hawaii’s fishing scene, it’s nothing unexpected that jumping on board a local charter is the most famous way of casting a line. You can track down an excellent option for charters to browse, generally situated in the Big Island.
You’ll find charter captains represent considerable expertise in deep-sea fishing, spearfishing, flats fishing, and freshwater fishing. You can select a tournament-level experience with all the most recent gear. You can bounce into a kayak. Or on the other hand, you can join a captain who’s tied in with acquainting guests with customary island-style angling. There truly is something for everybody!
From Shore
Have you continuously longed for staying under the sun in the tropics, sand between your toes and rod in your grasp? Shore fishing in Kailua has your name written on top of it. The seashores on the Big Island are prime shore fishing areas. There’sAdditionally, there’s an entire host of cliffs and piers to cast a line from, which offer access to deeper waters, what you’re probably going to snag when fishing by walking relies upon where you go.
Top Fishing Spot in Kailua
Buoy ZZ
- One of the famous FADs off Hawaii. Buoy ZZ is an artificial or natural reef that attracts fish that can be caught here.
Buoy OTEC
Noio Point Ledge
- This spot is best known to contain ledges and rocks that attract fish. Nice ledge here that drops quickly.
Rules & Regulations To Keep in Mind
You do not need to bother securing a permit to fish in Hawaii, in any event, when striking out all alone. All Billfish can be kept, though most Kona contract boats like to tag and release. The sale of Billfish is likewise permitted in Hawaii, so a few captains might need to keep even healthy fish to sell. The most brilliant strategy is to converse with your captain before the charter. Then negotiate on what will happen to your catch.
Always be aware of the regulated no-access areas all across this chain of islands.
