Oh So Close, It was a little painful, but worth every moment!

April 11, 2017/in Captains Blog /by linda

Oh So Close! “It was a little painful, but worth every moment” says Julia and Jon Eichler who live in Eagle River, Alaska. The Eichlers have been to the Islands five times since 2011. They have been to Kailua-Kona on 3 occasions including this last trip. The family fished with Chuck and I a few years ago, we did not get one bite, but it was a beautiful trip with some snorkeling at Captain Cook Monument. They were then visiting the island because Julia had competed in the LavaMan Triathlon.

This time they wanted to dedicate the entire charter to fishing. “Captain Joe Schumaker and deckhand Captain Brian Schumaker did a great job of making this an enjoyable trip and did a wonderful job. Very professional.” Were the comments relayed to Chuck and I from Julia and Jon.

We had great weather of course and several whale sightings. About 30 minutes before the fish hit, Joe mentioned that fish normally hit when all of the guests have fallen asleep. Jon’s wife and daughter fell asleep and he tried to keep his eyes open, but found himself waking up to the sound of the reel screaming! Hooked Up! The Marlin came in on the long rigger line and ate a pearl head bullet.

This Pacific Blue Marlin is the biggest fish Jon has caught. Though he wasn’t sure why it was considered caught, but apparently knew a requirement was met that makes it reportable.

RELEASE: Once you get to leader it is considered Catch and Release whether you release it or it releases itself. In a tournament situation, the fish would have to have been tagged for it to count.

Video courtesy of Jon and Julia Eichler.

Fire Hatt is a proud member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

A Break From Alaska

April 8, 2017/in Captains Blog /by linda

Monica and James Lavell with their 40 pound Short Bill Spearfish

A break from Alaska finds this charming couple their largest fish ever! James and Monica Lavell were on a delayed Honeymoon here in Kona Hawaii. It was their first trip to the Islands. The couple live in Eagle River, AK where James is a Operating Room Nurse and Monica is an ICU Nurse. While charter fishing in Kona Hawaii aboard Fire Hatt, they were hoping to catch anything! That anything turned out to be a nice 40 pound Short Bill Spearfish! James said “It all happened so fast!” Captains Joe Schumaker and Brian Schumaker had James swiftly in the chair and fighting the fish in a matter of seconds. With Monica cheering him on, he brought the Spearfish to the boat in just under 15 minutes. Fishing in Kona Hawaii was sure to hold a lot memories for this couple. Hope to see them again on another break from Alaska and have Monica get her biggest fish too!

SHORTBILL SPEARFISH (HEBI)

Hawaii Market Name: Hebi
Scientific Name: Tetrapturus angustirostris
Hawaiian Name: A`u
Japanese Name: Fuuraikajiki

Shortbill spearfish are commonly known as Hebi in Hawaii. Its dorsal fin is shorter than that of other billfish species, and its bill is very short in comparison. Hebi caught in Hawaiian waters are usually between 20 and 40 pounds in weight.

Hebi has white to pink colored flesh that is somewhat softer than that of Nairagi or Kajiki. Its flavor is mild (although more pronounced than ahi). It is one of several species of billfish, which are suitable for grilled or broiled “catch of the day” menu items in restaurants.

Fire Hatt is a proud member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Joshua Huehn’s First Pacific Blue Marlin

March 24, 2017/in Captains Blog /by linda

Joshua Huehn’s first Pacific Blue Marlin was released aboard Fire Hatt while visiting Kona, Hawaii on a family fishing trip. Joshua and his family, Stephanie, Jeff, and Madison, were visiting from Tsawwassen, BC. We fished down to Captain Cook’s Bay, where the family snorkeled and saw dolphin. On the way back up the line, just outside of Captain Cook the long rigger line started screaming…we are Hooked Up! Joshua fought the fish for about 20 minutes before bringing the fish to the boat where Captains Joe and Brian Shumaker released the estimated 150 pound Marlin! A nice note along with the photo was sent to us by the family stating this memory is one the family never forget! We hope to see them again. (That fish will only get bigger….)

Featured in the photo are Joshua Huen and Captain Brian Schumaker.

Fire Hatt is a proud member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Encounter with Baby Whale Shark in Kona Hawaii

February 28, 2017/in Captains Blog /by linda

Baby Whale Shark Amazing Encounter with Baby Whale Shark in Kona Hawaii as the Crew and guests aboard Fire Hatt were on a family fishing trip this past week. Captain Joe Shoemaker spotted this beauty and was able to pull in all the lines and drift along with this Baby Whale Shark. This is only the second time in our history that we were able to witness this wonder. At one point the baby actually kissed the bow of the boat. We are constantly amazed at the wonders of the mighty Pacific Ocean! Whale Sharks are the largest fish species in the ocean, but the majestic gliding motion of the whale shark is, scientists argue, an astonishing feat of mathematics and energy conservation. Data shows that whale sharks are able to glide without investing energy into movement when descending, but they had to beat their tails when they ascended. This occurs because sharks, unlike many fish, have negative buoyancy.

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Yes,Yes ,Yes My very first catch!

February 13, 2016/in Captains Blog /by linda

Yes,Yes ,Yes My very first catch! Ever. I have never fished before! Were the words of sheer thrill from Delores Raycraft and her family from Hamilton Ontario. Coincidently, her Son-in-Law is a district fire chief in Hamilton Ontario. (A profession near and dear to my heart.) Delores sat in the fighting chair and waited patiently for what seemed like several hours. At one point she pronounced to everyone, “if this rod gets bit, I’m bringing it in!” You probably see the rest of the story unfolding…. the rod did go off, Delores fought the fish and I landed it! A nice 70+ pound Striped Marlin! I know her Son-in-Law will be back to book another trip because after all, he had to go back to the fire station to tell them his mother-in-law was the only one to bring in the big fish. I must add that Delores and her husband and were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary as well.

We are looking forward to a return trip from to Hawaii and of course the Fire Hatt.

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Christmas Day Luck

January 4, 2016/in Captains Blog /by linda

Christmas Day Luck aboard Fire Hatt with our crew of Brett Lazenby from Kona and Rob Dawson from Kamloops, BC brings a day of good fishing action to Scott Watts from Oahu. The day started out with a triple hookup on Mahi Mahi with two of them escaping and Scott landing one. The Mahi ranged from 15 to 18 pounds. A short time later we headed to OTEC Buoy and hooked a nice 30+ pound Short Bill Spearfish. Scott Watts landed the trophy in a matter of minutes.

Featured in the photo is Scott Watts with his 30+ pound Shortbill Spearfish

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Winner Of Rotary Club Donation Scores Blue Marlin In Kona Hawaii

September 7, 2015/in Captains Blog /by linda

Winner Of Rotary Club Donation Scores Blue Marlin In Kona Hawaii. Thanks to the Rotary Club Fundraiser that Fire Hatt Sportfishing and Harry Avila generously donated to, Steve and Carolyn Springer Won the bid for the Sportfishing Trip and Accommodations here in Kona Hawaii. I had the privilege of being on the boat with this lovely couple and their friends today. This group is from Fremont California and were a delight to spend the day with. Carolyn was the first angler for the day and landed her estimated 175 pound Pacific Blue Marlin. Her first Marlin! She did an awesome job bringing it in in just under 10 minutes. Later in the day we hooked up again and had a shot at another Blue Marlin that did not stick.

Featured in the photo left is Carolyn Springer in the fighting chair!

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Blue Marlin In Kona Hawaii

One Of The Most Productive Blue Marlin Seasons Of All Time

August 25, 2015/in Captains Blog /by linda

One Of The Most Productive Blue Marlin Seasons Of All Time. This month a 1075 pound Blue Marlin was weighed. That is indeed a World class Marlin. The summer news up until yesterday was that during the week before, over 112 Big Blue Marlin were released. Jim Rizzuto, a famous Author and Hawaiian fishing History authority has been writing about how in a one week period in August 2015, Kona Hawaii may have had the most Blue Marlin releases of all time. Clearly in the Charter Community this is an inexact statistical endeavor, but all documented evidence points that way.

Gotta tell you, between the several Tournaments held by different tournament Organizers, and the daily boats returning to the Harbor, it has been a hugely successful season

What we look forward to in September 2015 is continued warm Ocean waters, bait remaining in near shore waters and fantastic fishing. Over the past five years, the warmest Ocean water of the year has been occurring in October.

Just for the record, we have Blue Marlin catches year round to release and weigh, and we are reaching peak season right now. What does this mean??? I honestly believe we are in for great fishing in September and October barring any great weather upheaval. There has been an increase in Mahi catches as well and it is great to see the busy fishing action for our guests. I promise you, all of the Charter Captains want to see our guests succeed and catch their new lifetime record fish, it’s just that we cannot make them bite.

** Credits to Joe Rittenhouse and his Family for the Release Photo of their 200+ Pound Pacific Blue Marlin. The Rittenhouse’s were one for two on releases.

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Striped Marlin for Illinois Folks aboard Fire Hatt

July 8, 2015/in Captains Blog /by linda

Striped Marlin for Illinois Folks aboard Fire Hatt. I was just talking to an old friend, Rob Webster from from Southern CA this morning who has the boat Magellan while reminiscing about our legendary Striped Marlin days. We have not seen a Stripey here in Kona for a while. Rob was saying that rumor has it, a Striped Marlin was just hung in Dana Point, CA over the weekend. Then low and behold, just an hour after my conversation with Rob, our stinger line is bit. We are hooked up! Dave Schafer from Newton, IL on a full day charter aboard Fire Hatt with Captain Joe Schumaker and First Mate Brett Lazenby brings in his first Marlin. Previously Dave’s largest fish was a Sailfish. Still time for the elusive Ahi Tuna today! Peak fishing time in Kona, Hawaii right now!

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Banner Day Aboard Fire Hatt for Hank and Jinx

June 28, 2015/in Captains Blog /by linda

Banner Day Aboard Fire Hatt for Hank and Jinx! This is the third year Hank and Jinx have spent fishing in Kona Hawaii with us. Every year the stakes get a little higher, actually a lot higher! I don’t know what it is about these two, but they are fishy….this year Hank brought in our largest Mahi Mahi to date, a whopping 46 pounds. That is considered a nice one for these waters. As you can see in the photo it looks like we had assigned uniforms, it was just by luck that we arrived wearing what turned out to be a winning combination. With that in mind, Hank and Jinx hand washed the lucky garments and wore them again the following day….gotta tell you, the luck was there! On day one we had the Mahi along with a Blue Marlin Release, day two produced the nice Shortbill Spearfish for Jinx while the 150 pound Yellowfin Tuna came on the last day with Hank on the rod. We are looking forward to your visit next June and landing the elusive Ono!

We love starting out each day with the greeting of Hi Hank, Hi Jinx!

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team. You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Posts

SHORTBILL SPEARFISH (HEBI)

Blue Marlin In Kona Hawaii