Big Eye Tuna Family Style

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Big Eye Tuna Family Style.  Cliff, Elise, Connor and Dalton are visiting the Big Island from Arizona.  A typical family with a not so typical fishing adventure!  Just after Adam gives 13 year old Conner the “chair talk”, we are just begining to enjoy the beautiful fruit and muffin platter that Linda prepares for each charter, when the bait rod goes screaming off, then the short rigger, then the stinger, then the long corner!  We refer to this event as Organized Chaos!   With Conner in the chair and (Mom) Elise assisting him, Dalton is fighting his fish on the short rigger rod with Dad (Cliff) fighting his on the long Corner.  The bait rod line has now been broken off….  Adam and Linda are clearing the rest of the rods and preparing the deck.  The first fish comes in, a very nice BIG EYE TUNA!  Then Dalton’s line goes slack…Shark Bite!  One Big Eye Tuna was sacrificed.  We then land the last fish, another nice Big Eye Tuna.  With our guests eyes wide and their smiles big, we secure the Tunas and put lines back in the water.  Before the Tuna bite, we had been in a nice bird pile with lots of bait.  Now there are about 15 boats on scene… the fish are pushed down and we notice no other boats are hooked up.  Linda spots the bird pile a few miles away and we light it up and head for it!  We are back in the zone and now two lines are screaming.  Elise is in the chair.  She is the true fisherman of the family and desperately wanted a shot at a fish.  Wellll, she got it!  One fish is lost to another shark and her’s is still on.  Elise lands her Big Eye Tuna and we are now concentrating on getting Dalton a fish.  Remember, his was sacrificed earlier to a shark.  As we continue to concentrate on the area, we spot a tailing Blue Marlin.  I turn the boat and put the lures right in front of him.  He goes for the stinger line.  While Adam is teasing him in,  the Marlin hits it and does not stick!  I call it a “swing and a miss“.  Now we are heading back in for the day and we are bit again, a Blue Marlin attacks the stinger line again and does not stick…aargh!  And so the story ends with five hook-ups, three boated Big Eye Tuna, two happy, well fed Sharks and two missed Blue Marlin.  Not bad for a day on the water.  Did I mention beautiful Blue Hawaii water?

Featured in the above photo is Captain Chuck Wilson, Conner, Elise, Dalton and Cliff.  Adam and Linda were busy….

First Striped Marlin for Illinois Friends

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First Striped Marlin for Illinois Friends.  Johnny G, along with Mike and his dad Bill from Huntly, IL have a story to tell when they arrive back home!  While visiting the Big Island during a convention they were attending, the group decided to take time off for a Kona fishing adventure.  And an adventure it was! We waited almost all day for our first bite.  The two best friends awaited the first bite by spending time on the bridge, on the bow, in the salon and cockpit.  We checked out every single sign we saw from floating debris and birds to another boat that was hooked up.  Finally, while circling that boat a safe and respectful distance away, our long rigger went down!  A Bomboy “M16” lure has tempted the fish!  The fight is on.  Johnny is in the chair and remembering every single detail from the “chair talk” earlier today while he sucessfully lands the 80lb  Striped Marlin in just under fifteen minutes with no help from the crew!  Awesome Job!  Once the Striped Marlin was successfully tagged and the hooks easily removed, Johnny was able to assist in reviving the fish.  We explained the importance of releasing the billfish and the impact this makes on our fishery. By letting this one go, it insures more fish for them to catch later.  These two Seventh Grade friends will share this memory for a lifetime.  Hopefully, Mike’s Dad will bring him back soon to catch his first Marlin too.

Johnny featured in photo above assisting release of his Striped Marlin.  Best friend Mike along with his Dad featured in main photo.

New Family Record Mahi Mahi for Tucson Couple

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New Family Record Mahi Mahi for Tucson Couple.  Steven and Catherine from Tucson, AZ  returned to the Big Island for another day of fishing in Kona Hawaii. Last year, Steven caught a Mahi Mahi and Catherine did not get a chance on the rod….well, things changed!  After an early morning triple strike of Striped Marlin and Shortbill Spearfish that eluded our razor sharp hooks and created ten minutes of  sheer excitement, I headed for the top corner of the grounds where I heard there had been a few fish caught.  Within about fifteen minutes of arriving to the area, the short rigger rod is bit, we are hooked up.  Catherine is in the chair and after a swift 10 minute fight, her 28 pound Mahi Mahi is in the boat!  Catherine has established the new family record…. Steve was quite proud of her.

Catherine featured in photo with Adam Ludwig and her 28lb Mahi Mahi March 2012

Captain’s Bomboy Llanes and Lloyd Potter Don’t Disappoint

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Captain’s Bomboy Llanes and Lloyd Potter Don’t Disappoint Linda and I as we were off Island for three weeks in February.  Along with our Crewman Adam Ludwig the Captain’s stepped in and graciously took many of our guests out.  We had constant contact several times a day from the crew filling us in on what we were missing.  Their first day out rewarded them with a Blue Marlin about 200 lbs and each day was followed by lots of activity.   It was bittersweet getting the information.  I was on the mainland teaching classes to Fire Fighters in Northern CA, Southern CA and Arizona.  Linda met up with me and spent some time in Redondo Beach and then headed to Texas to spend time with family.  The Crew consistantly entertained our guests and provided excellent service.  All you boat owners out there can only imagine the feeling of walking away from a boat you love and leaving it in the hands of someone else.  I have to say that my experience was without a doubt as satisfying as I could have hoped for.  Thank You Guys!  I can’t forget to mention Chet Chiara behind the scenes.  Chet made sure the crew had plenty of ice every day and provided them with fresh fruit and muffins daily.  Chet lives in Anchorage Alaska and was crew when we brought in the unbelievable 978.5 lb Pacific Blue Marlin last March.  We were able to enjoy our time off Island knowing our business was in good hands.

Adam Ludwig and Captain Bomboy Llanes (Bomboy Lures) featured in photo.

 

Another Great Trip Advisor Review To Share

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“FireHatt goes ABOVE all the other charters because they are “OBSESSED”with giving the best service and value!!”

The owners/operators and the deck manager are working their tails off to make every detail sheer perfection! Their service is world class and unparalleled.   After greetings and introductions are made your departure is on time with no waiting. Next, you will make your way onto the pristine, highly clean vessel.   No stone is unturned! REALLY!!
The continental breakfast rivals most of the offerings of the luxury hotels: fresh fruit variety along with warm muffins.
Then comes hard hitting fishing with everyone engaged to help you get the specific species you seek.   Captain, Chuck is knowledgable and friendly. He knows his stuff.   Not only is his wife Linda busy making epicurian,tasty snacks and running to get refills on your beverages she is scouting for fish as well. Why do all this work?   Because she is focused on your experience. Amazing!   The deck manager is anticipating the staffs needs as well as your drink refills and any assistance that you will need. He is well spoken and helpful . He is also pleasant too boot!
You will have the time of your life!! I know because one day wasn’t enough!   Just getting back home and planning to go back again.   Fire Hatt is my now ohana!! They are professional and have the very best to offer!   Fire Hatt is worth the money.
My only question is when can I hurry to get back!
Mahalo!

Reviewed
February 28, 2012NEW

 

 

 

 

Kathy’s Kitchen Owner visits Kona Hawaii

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Kathy’s Kitchen Owner visits Kona Hawaii.  Kathy (Illinois State Fair Winner for over 30 years) along with her Husband, Darrell spent the day fishing with us, what a treat to finally meet her.  For Years we have been purchasing wonderful products from Kathy’s Kitchen, a family owned business from Virginia, Illinois.  Most notably for us, we use her Vidalia Onion Relish.  Some of you probably saw my recipe in an article I write for Coastal Angler Magazine.  Back to fishing… once we left the harbor we returned to an area where we had several bites the day before.   Once we got there we found a porpoise school we headed for it.  After just a few passes we are hooked up.  Adam’s new favorite lure that had been getting the bites all week is bit.  Light tackle, porpoise school, screaming reel and five other lines to clear, you get the picture.  Kathy gets to the chair, Adam transfers the rod to her and after just a few moments the line goes slack!  Ouch!  Now we realize that not only is the fish off, so is Adam’s lure!  Another painful loss.  (Last week Lucky Linda was lost.)  Luckily, we have photos of the lure and now the search is on to find another one just like it or one similar.  I always tell our guests, “The best lures made are on the bottom of the ocean”.  Adam is now going through all the lures on the boat looking for a temporary replacement.  Do they have support groups for situations like this?  We finished our day with several more strikes with nothing sticking.  Still very exciting.

Recipe for Vidalia Onion Coated Fish:  (Spearfish and Ono our favorites, works wonderfully on skewered shrimp too.) Basically, we soak a cedar plank for hours and then prepare the relish along with real mayonaise and coat the fish.  I place very thin sliced lemons or limes under the fish and arrange them on the cedar plank.  Dust the fish with a little smoked paprika and place on the grill on medium and cook for about 20 minutes.  You should try it!

Contact Kathy at 217-452-3035 for everything from Beet Pickles to Jalapeno Jelly

Trucker’s Chucker aka Shortbill Spearfish

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Trucker’s Chucker aka Shortbill Spearfish.  Trucker and his buddies, fellow horticulturists from Northern California just wanted to do some fishing in Kona Hawaii.  The group boarded Fire Hatt and we headed for the “Grounds”.  What started out to be a three quarter day quickly turned into a full day as the bites started coming.  Final count two Shortbill Spearfish and four bites. Not a bad day on the water.  Credit being given to a small lure from Adam’s collection by an unknown maker…. we could not keep the fish off of it!  I’m thinking it could be the follow-up for the lost Lucky Linda Lure.  We are now on the hunt to try to find more of the hot little number before we loose it! Having had such good luck, the group will be returning later this week for another chance at what they hope will be a Blue Marlin.  Once back to the dock, Crewman Adam Ludwig cleaned and packaged the fish for the group to take home with them.  If you have never tasted our local Spearfish, you are missing out.  Commonly seen on local menus as Hebe, the flaky white meat is almost sweet to the taste.  Prepared on a cedar plank, grilled or pan seared you should try it while you are here.

Family Fishing in Kona Hawaii At It’s Best!

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Family Fishing At It’s Best! Our Cutest Little Angler Yet.  We love having families, especially children on board.  This family from Michigan marvels at the determination of their 8 yr old son as he brings in a nice size Ono. I know we mention this many times…but watching the thrill on a child’s face whent they are hooked up and when they land their fish is priceless.

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Lucky Lady Hooked Up and Lucky Linda Lure is Lost

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Lucky Lady Hooked Up and Lucky Linda Lure is Lost!  This is true.  Katherine and Mark from Lincolnshire, IL boarded Fire Hatt for a day of snorkeling at Captain Cook Bay and an afternoon of fishing.  After trolling to Captain Cook and enjoying some snorkeling, which by the way had two Humpback Whales just yards from shore.  What a sight to see.  The two whales leisurely hung in the bay for hours.  Several kayakers and many boats got to  hover a safe distance and watch them.  Truly a remarkable sight.  Spinner Dolphin joined up later as we were leaving the cove.  Now with lines back in the water and lunches being eaten, we are headed out to the deep.  Not many boats out today and not many reports of fish except a few Mahi Mahi, it didn’t look too promising.  We were headed back to the harbor and had just started to put things away and start to bring in the lines when Linda saw a fish coming in straight for the “Lucky Linda” on the short rigger.  One strike, then another and the fish was on. A nice Pacific Blue Marlin!  Kathy was the designated angler and was in the chair in seconds after the hook up.  The Marlin came up jumping and running, we could clearly see it was a nice fish.  After about 15 minutes the line goes slack, the fish is off.  Ouch!  And the Lure is gone too.  Not to fear though, Bomboy (Bomboy Lures) made the lure for me and will have another one (or five) to me as soon as possible.  Kathy hooked up to a marlin a few years ago in the Bahamas and it came off after about an hour of fighting it.  Looks like third times a charm for this Lucky Lady Angler.

International Youth Angler Scores in Kona HI

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International Youth Angler Scores in Kona HI while on a fishing trip with his Father.  From the Country of  Kazakhstan, the Father and Son duo spent two half days fishing in Kona aboard Fire Hatt.  Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country and the largest landlocked country in the world. It is equivalent to the size of Western Europe. This being said, they began their first day under a beautiful tropical sun with silky smooth water.  The conditions were perfect!  Immediately after leaving the harbor headed towards Kaiwi Point we were hooked up.  Two lines go down, two anglers headed for the screaming Shimano Reels and one busy crewman sorting out the mahem.  In the end both fish are landed.  A 17 lb Ono and a 24 lb Ono!  If you are wondering who got the big one, it was the proud son!  That was all the action for the first day.  With the anxious thought of what could have been, the two wanted a chance at a Marlin.  On Day two, we headed offshore.  With one bite early on the stinger, a quick zip and an estimated 200+ lb Blue Marlin was off.  This was the highlight of the day until the half day charter was winding down, we finally got another bite on the stinger line!  The fish came in, ran off a few seconds of line and was off!  A nice Striped Marlin had escaped this time. We look forward to having this team back in the future to take care of unfinished business. Landing a Marlin!