Posts

Trucker’s Chucker aka Shortbill Spearfish

/in /by

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.

Big Blue Marlin for Christmas

/in /by

A big Blue Marlin for Christmas.  Riley Wight from Heppner, OR brightened his Christmas Holidays this week in Kona with a beautiful 524 pounder.  It had been a slow couple of days with only one official marlin strike to report until this day.  We left the harbor and headed north to the “grounds”.  Just moments after Crewman Adam Ludwig  finished the chair talk  with Riley, the stinger line was screaming.   We instantly knew it was a big fish and likely a blue marlin.  With lines cleared and cameras manned, Riley is in for the ride of his life.  The fish ran, jumped and charged,  finally becoming tail wrapped.   After determining the fish was dying, we planed the fish up and unfortunately could not revive it.  We boated the marlin and came to the scales to weigh and unload before we headed out for more Hawaiian adventures.  Later in the afternoon we were just outside “F Buoy” and the same lure was bit again.  Line was screaming off and then nothing!  May have been a Big Tuna!

December Fishing In Kona Hawaii

/in /by

Long time friends Russ and Deborah Whitman from Redondo Beach, CA have been fishing in Kona Hawaii for years.  Arriving this week, they already have one trip under their belt.  The Goal, simply catch Russ his first Blue Marlin since his massive heart surgery last year.  Russ is not a beginner.  He has fished Marlin, Tuna and Mako for at least 40 years from Coast to Coast.  Most of those years from his home port of Marina Del Rey, CA.  So far this week, we have a 28+ pound Mahi Mahi to brag about.  We went deep offshore early in the day and found a nice bird pile and lots of bait.  After working the area for a while with no luck, we decided to head back in closer.  Just outside the 500 fa line the long rigger was bit.  Although it was not the prize, it was a nice Mahi Mahi.  Russ, transferring his own rod to the chair had the fish landed in no time.  Did I mention it was caught on the “Lucky Linda Lure?”  We are ready to go after the prize Marlin now.

Fishing Floaters in Hawaii

/in /by

Fishing floaters in Hawaii is our version of fishing the prized kelp paddy in Southern CA.  This time of year there are still some Pacific Blue Marlin around.  There are still some Ono too.  But honestly, if we can spot a floater this time of year, stand back because we will be in for a great episode of catching.  Heading offshore with a watchful eye, and really good binoculars, we encourage our guests to report anything that is NOT water.  We are looking for birds, trash and current lines.  Our guests really get into it.  This floater pictured to the left consisting of old nets and line was spotted about 10 miles offshore and proved to be loaded.  Our guests spent a couple of hours pulling in nice Mahi Mahi and a few Ono.  After several passes the fish tend to get wary.  Now we get the ballyhoo out and enjoy some light tackle fun!  Of course there is always the possibility that a predator is nearby.  These floaters are considered “refrigerators” for Marlin and other Prey fish.  We always make several passes just outside the area before we leave.  Bigger fish tend to hang just outside and know a meal is there when they are ready to eat.

Old Friends Unite and Celebrate a Three Marlin Day

/in /by

 

Old Friends Unite and Celebrate a Three Marlin Day aboard the Fire Hatt this week.  Pete Hooper, a United Airlines Pilot and longtime  friend Jim Elliott joined Linda and I along with old friend and past Crew Mate Adam Ludwig for a half day on the water.  Pete and Jim really wanted Ono.  We left the harbour and headed out for Ono Lane.  After an hour into the trip, no Ono.  We pulled out the Marlin lures and headed north.  Just minutes after the lures are swimming we are bit.  Pete fought the first Pacific Blue Marlin for 35 minutes and Jim successfully tagged the 190+ pound Marlin before Adam released it.  With lures back in the water, we are bit again.  Jim fought the second fish in an amazing 20 minutes.  Pete tagged this 170+ pound Marlin before Adam successfully released it.  While the two friends are congratulating each other and marveling that in all the years they have been fishing in Kona Hawaii, they never had a day like today, then we are bit again!  Pete jumps in the chair and the fight is on.  This one gives Pete a run for his money.  It jumps and charges for most of the fight.  Finally after a 45 minute battle, this fish is also released.  The score for today is three Pacific Blue Marlin releases in just over two hours.  I do believe in Karma.  Two friends uniting to fish and an old Crew Mate reuniting with us made for a special day on the water.

Florida Couple Celebrates 25th Anniversary and First Pacific Blue Marlin

/in /by

 

Mike and Sharon McAllister from Tampa Florida celebrated their 25 Anniversary and their first Pacific Blue Marlin while fishing in Kona Hawaii aboard the Fire Hatt .  Mike had his shot at a Marlin  on an early morning bite that did not stick.  After a long pause in activity, we are bit again.  This time the fight is on!  Sharon is in the chair this time and what a great job she did!  After a 25 minute fight, she has the fish to leader.  Captain Chuck leadered and held the Marlin so Sharon could get out of the chair and assist with the release.    We estimated the Marlin to be around 200+ pounds.  After we returned to the harbor Sharon commented that her adrenaline was still in high gear!  I’m thinking the adrenaline will last as long has that big smile.  We are looking forward to having them back so Mike can land his first Marlin.

Local Fire Fighter Fights His First Marlin

/in /by

Blair Howard, a local Fire Fighter from the Big Island fights his first Marlin.  Along with his Mom visiting from the West Coast, they boarded the Fire Hatt with anticipation of what they might hook into today.  Around 2:00pm the fish hit the short corner, ripped out line and was off!  It came back and took down the short rigger and the fight was on.  Blair had the 300+ pound Pacific Blue Marlin to the boat in about 25 minutes.  The fish was released in great condition.

This did not surprise us being that Blair recently underwent 11 months of intensive instruction and fieldwork. The first 5½ months involved fire and rescue training that included a nationally recognized fire science curriculum, wildland fire training, hazardous materials operations training, rescue operations familiarization, lifeguard certification, and driver training.  The remainder of his training was spent at the Emergency Medical Services Training Center where he earned his Emergency Medical Technicians Basic and Intermediate certifications.  This fish did not stand a chance!

World Class Hawaiian Fishing Adventure in Kona

/in /by

Saying “Welcome to Kona Hawaii” is just an understatement!  How about “Welcome to a World Class Hawaiian Fishing Adventure!”  Casey Jedynak’s family are newly transplanted locals from Richmond WA.  Imagine your family arranging for a day of fishing in the beautiful waters of  Kona for what turned out to be a battle with a estimated 500+ pound Pacific Blue Marlin.  Yes it was Casey’s first Marlin.  His largest fish until now was a 20 pound Salmon.   We were one for three today.  This was the second bite for the day.  Casey did a great job on the rod.  The strength and determination of youth was surely a factor in this fight!  I am proud to say it was taken on the Lucky Linda Lure by Bomboy Lures.  Lucky Linda has been on a brief vacation lately.  The current batch of marlin have not taken her seriously.  She is now back in business!

Four Blue Marlin Bites and a Shortbill Spearfish

/in /by

Four Blue Marlin Bites and a Shortbill Spearfish for Waunakee WI Family.  Mike, Kate, Parker, Brandt and Evan Dietry boarded the Fire Hatt expecting a fishing adventure. They got one!  An idyllic day with plenty of sunshine and calm blue water, what fishing in Kona Hawaii is known for. We headed north out of the harbor to an area known as the grounds where we had a fish the day before and another strike. There was still plenty of bait and birds in the area, the conditions were perfect.  We patrolled the area for a short time before our first strike.  It was a marlin that did not stick. This was enough to get the excitement going. With three more blue marlin bites that did not stick, Mike ended up with a prize 44 pound Shortbill Spearfish at the end of the day. Considered one of the best tasting fish in Hawaii, they are only found in the Central Pacific Ocean. Four Blue Marlin Bites and a Shortbill Spearfish along with great memories made for a terrific trip and a new family record.

The Most Fun I Eever Had Fishing

/in /by

The most fun I ever had fishing in Kailua Kona Hawaii and never caught a fish.

(This post is a review from the Phillips Family posted on TripAdvisor.  Featured in the photo is a close family friend, Marco that was on the trip with them.)

My wife, kids and I lake fish often at our cabin in California’s Big Bear Lake. This was also our fourth private fishing charter in the 10 years we have been coming to the Hawaiian Islands. First trip without a catch.  But, to spend the day off the Kona Coast on a magnificent sportfishing boat (43′ Hatteris) like the Fire Hatt, with two engaging pros like Chuck and Linda, well, that is as good as it gets! Had such a good time visiting and learning about sportfishing and the big island, I almost forgot we were fishing.  When you’re out on the ocean, you never know what to expect, and this trip was no exception. Linda spotted a small bobbing buoy with some splashing around it, and we investigated. There was a 150 lb. blue marlin snagged by a buoyed fishing trap. We circled to try and release the fish, but the marlin took the whole contraption deep and we were never able to find her again; despite Chuck’s best efforts to get her released.  We also spent time with a very large pod of pilot whales that allowed us to tag along with them. The kids were very excited about all this as well as the generous and delicious fresh fruit and snacks that were provided for them by Linda.  When fishing, you get what the ocean gives and nothing is promised. The husband and wife team of the Fire Hatt went to every length to try and ensure our success fishing, but some days it just doesn’t happen, no matter what. All I know is that if you don’t go, you have a zero percent  chance of catching fish. We all live to fish another day.  The Most Fun I Eever Had Fishing in Kailua Kona Hawaii.
Thanks Chuck and Linda- We’ll be back to fish another day!
Ken, Ruthanne & kids
I should also add, this was a full day charter (8 hours) and we didn’t stop fishing until well into our ninth hour! Kudos to Chuck and Linda for going the extra mile! No rushing us to get back to the dock. Dissapointment was never an option, we had a blast!