Sea Turtles Honokohau Harbor, Kona Hawaii

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Sea Turtles Honokohau Harbor, Kona Hawaii. The turtles are waiting for the boats to come in every day looking for any discard of fish scraps.  It is always a treat for our guests to watch them.  The turtles are regulars to the harbor and we can actually recognize and identify each one.  The largest are about four feet across their back.  It is believed that they are herbivorous but actually they will eat any fish offered and fight over discarded fish carcasses.

Craig Smith Art featured on Fire Hatt Sportfishing Tee Shirts

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Craig Smith Art featured on FireHatt Sportfishing Tee shirts. Tee shirts are now available.  Many colors and sizes from small to triple X in short and long sleeves.

Craig Smith is an artist who specialises in painting, filming and photographing marlin and game fish around the world. Depicting game fishing boats in action, giant black marlin off Cairns, blue marlin in Hawaii or striped marlin off Mexico, his paintings are dynamic and accurate portrayals of these exciting events and amazing marine creatures.

From the Florida Keys to the Great Barrier Reef, and New Zealand’s Bay of Islands to Kona’s pristine waters, Craig is actively involved in sport fishing and captures the essence of the moment in his artistic creations.

As well as marlin, other species such as sailfish, tuna, sharks, whales and dolphins are bought to life on the canvas under the magic of Craig’s hand.

Watch Cameron Bring In His First Mahi Mahi

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Cameron along with his family from San Antonio, TX had a mission. Catch a fish! Last year Bob Collins brought his family to do some fishing in Kona, Hawaii and we had two days of terriffic fishing! His two daughters pulled on everything from rainbow runners to mahi mahi and Ono and even a shot at a marlin. Now he is back with his Grandson, Cameron hoping for a little action for him. Sure enough, we had some fun. The first day was a little slow with a small mahi mahi. Now on the second day things pick up. We had a few shots at an elusive Shortbill Spearfish that hit two lines and did not stick…Arrgh! Then as we headed offshore, this nice mahi mahi strikes. We are hooked up! Cameron lands the fish effortlessly. Fun Family Fishing! Cameron will be attending college in the fall on Oahu, I think the Islands agree with him.

Hail Mary Ono

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Hail Mary Ono.  Troy Lee and his wife Robyn while fishing in Kona, Hawaii aboard the Fire Hatt was on his second day of fishing with us and it wasn’t looking too promising for him.  Today, along with friends Kyla and Chris Breikss and Frank Hess, we headed down Ono lane to try for a food fish for our guests to take home.  After fishing down to Captain Cook and putting everyone in the bay for a warm water snorkel, we headed for deeper water in search of something big or maybe small tunas at “F Buoy”.  In come the Ono Lures and we gear up with something that would attract any Marlin, Spearfish or Mahi.  Now, in at least 1200fa offshore, the light tackle line is bit!  Kyla is in the belt and fighting her FIRST FISH EVER!  I only wish everyone could witness the sheer joy on her face and the dedicated look of pride from her husband as Kyla landed an Ono!  Offshore, not in Ono Lane!  Now we have lines back in the water and are headed up a nice current line that looks promising for maybe a Spearfish or at least a Mahi Mahi.  Nothing!  Arrrgh.  Troy Lee is on edge, Robyn has her fingers crossed, she is praying and forever hopefull that a fish will come for Troy.  This is their 25th wedding aniversary and a fish would be the perfect present for them.  We are headed back to the harbor and have begun to clear lines.  Troy is eating a sandwich in the salon and the light tackle rod goes off again!  We are almost to the harbor entrance and only one line is in the water!  Troy is out of the salon, on the rod and lands his Ono!  The Hail Mary Ono!  This day goes on record as one of the many truly satisfying days on the water I will remember fondly….

In the photo, guess which smile got their first fish ever and the one that got his anivarsary fish…

Coastal Angler Magazine May Issue

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Coastal Angler Magazine May Issue

GEAR CONSIDERATIONS

For the past year I have had the privelege to write for Coastal Angler Magazine with circulation over 480,000 Copies Per Month as the Kona, Hawaii voice.  As the articles have a month by month forecast of fish to come and chronicle the fishing adventures we have each month. This publication is free and is available on line too.

http://coastalanglermag.com/?page_id=1566

Fire Hatt Renewed!

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Fire Hatt Renewed!  Our beautiful Hatteras, FIRE HATT is hauled undergoing massive maintenance and refreshing.  Linda and I hauled on Monday and will splash again on Friday.  The Shimano Rods and Reels are at Grander Tackle being serviced and having all new 130lb Amilon line replaced fresh for the season.  All the “battle scars” from fighting fish, the climate and just wear and tear are being addressed.  Inside, seven pumps have been replaced in various systems…..yes, seven pumps.  It was time! A new instant hot water heater was installed and all the cushions are being replaced.   Right down to replacing the anchor with the new Manson Supreme stainless steel all bottom holding style.  The wonderful craftsmen at the Honokohau Yard are using their talents grinding, painting and polishing to give us back the luster we are known for.  A big thank you to our crewman, Adam for supervising the project.  I heard him mention he couldn’t wait to get back to fishing instead of fixing… While we are out of service this week, we have referred charter inquiries to another boat and captain that we love (he also owns a Hatteras) that will give the guests a fabulous fishing experience.

Wahoo! Fishing in Kona Hawaii

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Wahoo! Fishing in Kona Hawaii. One word sums up today.  Textbook.  Rick and his family from Massachusetts boarded the Fire Hatt for a fun filled day of fishing down to Captain Cook Bay, getting in the water for a little snorkeling adventure and then fishing back to the harbor.  On the way down the coast, one line goes down, then another, then another.  J.T. is in the chair, Mom Peggy and Rick are fighting theirs out of the gunnells.  We call this “Controlled Chaos”.  Three lines hooked up, three fish landed.  Everyone is still excited about their morning catch as they are getting into the incredibly clear pacific blue water to snorkel.  With much anticipation about the trip back up the coast, and Suzie the only one that has not caught a fish, we leave the cove and put lines back in the water.  Heading offshore this time to hopefully find a Blue Marlin, we are hooked up again, Suzie is in the chair and she brings in her prize.  Her first Wahoo! (Also known as “Ono” here in Hawaii)Suzie’s parents now realize they have just created a fishergirl for life!  She couldn’t get enough and her excitement was a sheer joy to watch.  I think we will see this family again….

Father and Son Tag Team Releases 500+ lb Blue Marlin (VIDEO)

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Father and Son Tag Team Releases 500+ lb Blue Marlin.  As the Froehlich Family boarded the Boat it was evident that the avid fisherman of the group was Mike’s son, Cole.  Dad and the family was along for the ride.  Cole’s largest fish to date is a 20 lb freshwater species.  The family had never been fishing in Kona Hawaii.  Once we left the harbor for todays adventure we had Cole in the fighting chair giving him the rundown on the do’s and don’ts on bringing in these fish.  Now the morning had passed without a single bite.  It was starting to weigh on all of us.  As we cruised in the warm tropical sun, lures had been changed out, we changed depths and direction, still nothing.  Then we made the turn and headed back to the harbor.  As we passed another boat that is skippered by Lure Maker Bomboy Llanes the short corner lure just exploded! We are hooked up!  A big Blue Marlin hit a “One on One” lure ironically made by Bomboy!  Karma!  The fish jumped 6 ft out of the water and put on quite a show.  Cole is in the fighting chair giving it all he has when shortly into the fight it is evident that he needs a little help.  Dad steps up and helps bring in the fish.  Earlier I had explained to our guests that the fish here, especially the Blue Marlin are “World Class Athletes” and are difficult to stop.  It is not uncommon for more than one angler to take a turn at fighting the fish of a life time.  This is a prime example of the sheer strength of the Blue Marlin.  After a 53 minute fight on a custom 50lb Marsuura Reel, Mike has the fish to the boat and Adam quickly grabs the leader and gently brings the fish to the side.  It was another textbook tag and release.  The fish is tired but is revived and swims away.  The wonderful memories shared by this Father and Son Tag Team duo hopefully will be remembered and shared for a lifetime. After all, It was Cole that was at the helm with me being given an opportunity to see what it was like to steer a boat when the fish hit.

The Ono Are Here In Numbers

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The Ono Are Here In Numbers.  This family from Wincote, PA chose the perfect time to come fishing in Kona Hawaii!  We will start with Ben.  All Ben wanted was to catch a fish.  Our intention was to put in the Ono Lures and head to Captain Cook Bay so the family could snorkel.  We got some information about a “floater” that was holding Mahi Mahi so we diverted from the plan and headed out to look for it.  We spotted the floater and no kidding, at least 15 other boats that got the same information.  After just a few passes we managed to hook a small big Eye Tuna for Ben.  Ben made nice work of the light tackle and had the fish to the boat in moments.  As we studied the area and saw that only small baits were being caught, we decided to head back to our original destination.  After a wonderful snorkel in the bay, we are back on patrol.  We have trolled for about an hour and Adam is changing the pattern.  He asks Ben to choose a lure.  Ben chooses an Aloha Lure called the “Gully Boy” and Adam puts it on the long rigger.  After just a rew minutes, Wham!  Tthe long rigger line is down, we are Hooked Up!  Ben is in the chair once again and bringing the Ono to the boat effortlessly.  He is stunned at the sight of the Ono.  This is Ben’s biggest fish by far.  Now the lines are back out and we are hooked up again….now Kevin, Ben’s dad is in the chair and while we are clearing the other lines, the stinger goes down.  A double!.  Ben’s Sister, Emily is now fighting a fish too.  Emily begins to show a little fatigue so Ben steps in and takes over so she can rest her arm.  Emily gets a second wind and Ben reluctantly gives her back the rod…. both fish are landed.  What a fun time.  In the end, Dad’s fish was the biggest, 27 lbs.  We will have Ben choose lures any time.  The family was also traveling with a Flat Mason.  Mom is a teacher so she brought him along for one of her students.  The luckiest Flat Mason in that class room!

Local Lady Angler Lands Shortbill Spearfish

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Local Lady Angler Lands Shortbill Spearfish.  Kay Kolt, a passionate angler that resides on the Big Island brought along several friends for a day of fishing.  Kay managed to land a nice 30 lb Shortbill Spearfish while being jolted awake from a short snooze.  It was late in the afternoon, sandwiches had been eaten and there had been a lull in activity since two small Big Eye tuna were caught earlier by Steve Landis.  Everyone had their turn at “Being Up” when the short rigger line went off.  We are Hooked Up!  Kay was out of the salon and in the chair fighting the fish as if she had been sitting there all along….She appeared out of knowhere!  With her expert knowledge of the local fishing techniques, she had the Shortbill Spearfish to the boat in minutes.  Crewman Adam Ludwig gaffed the prize and immediately was able to control the fish and let everyone get photos.   See that smile,  for Kay  it is the same one if she brings in a Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Spearfish or any species!  She is considered our good luck charm.  Having been out on the Fire Hatt several times and having fished many of the local tournaments with us, and other boats over the years,  she is very lucky, that Lady Luck thing…. Kay has fished all over the world and has several “Trophy” fish to be proud of.  Though this is not her largest spearfish, it was just as trilling!