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Fun Fishing in Kona Aboard Fire Hatt

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“I’ve been on numerous fishing charters over the years, from Cape Cod to the Florida Keys, and I must say fishing in Kona aboard the Fire Hatt with Chuck, Linda and Adam off the coast of Kona was the most exciting and enjoyable charter experience I’ve ever had. The captain and crew could not have been more welcoming and hospitable to our group as we enjoyed an entire day of fishing in paradise. With a beautiful 43 foot Hatteras and the best rods, reels and lures, this is truly a first class operation that will not disappoint even the most experienced anglers. Five out of the six people in our group had the opportunity to reel in monster sports fish, exceeding our expectations and providing a truly memorable day that will not be forgotten. The captain and crew are seasoned anglers and go above and beyond to ensure fun is had by all. Anyone who is looking for a perfect day of fishing in some of the best waters in the world, look no further, Fire Hatt is the easy choice.” Guest post by TMack16 from Boston, Massachusetts on November 17, 2011

 

Fishing Floaters in Hawaii

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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.

Offshore Adventure for Joseph Sweeney and Company

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Offshore Adventure for Joseph Sweeney and Company.  Joseph Sweeney is getting married this week.  His buddies, Chris, Mack, Jeff, George, Joseph and Justin treated him to a day of fishing and snorkeling here in beautiful Kona Hawaii.  Although Joseph lives in the Hilo area, he had never fished Kona.  The day started simply with Ono lures in the water and we headed down “Ono Lane” for a quick snorkel at Captain Cook Bay.  The guys are excited with the anticipation of what the day may bring.  Just a short distance from Captain Cook the long corner rod is screaming.  Joseph is in the chair fighting what turns out to be one of our biggest Ono this season and His biggest fish ever!  Estimated at 35+ pounds, the Ono was such a thrill for the group.  Once we finished our snorkel, we put the “big guys” out and head off shore for possibly a Pacific Blue Marlin or perhaps the coveted floater.  Sure enough, we spot a pile of birds at about 2700fa.  Once we arrived in the area we spotted a large cargo line that had been at sea for some time.  With the first pass, a nice Mahi Mahi is caught.  Then mayhem breaks loose.  These are all nice 20-30+ pound Mahi Mahi.  We did get another nice Ono in the mix too.  With the fish box full and the long ride home, we put out a few high speed lures and reluctantly headed in.  The group rode the bow all the way back to the harbor laughing and talking about their offshore adventure.  A good time was had by all.

Pygmy Sperm Whale Sighting and First Mahi Mahi for Alaska Couple

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Pygmy Sperm Whale Sighting and First Mahi Mahi for Alaska Couple.  Considered a rarity in Kona waters, a pair of Pygmy Sperm Whales were sited just off  Kaiwi Point at about the 400fa ledge by Neal and Lauren Labrie visiting from King Salmon, Alaska.  We slowed the boat and cautiously circled and observed the whales while our guests were able to capture many delightful photos.  The one featured above was provided by the Labrie’s.  Our goal was to capture what would be the largest fish Lauren had ever caught.  Midway through the adventure, the stinger went off.  (It was not the whale)  A fighting, jumping Mahi Mahi ate what we call the “Easter Special Lure”.  Lauren was in the chair and brought in the fish weighing in at 22 lbs.  We did it!  Lauren’s biggest fish.  We filleted the Mahi and sent them to a local restaurant who prepared their fish for them.  Neil, the Public Safety Dir of Katmai National Park enjoyed an anti-tundra day on Kona’s warm beautiful waters.  Lauren also works for the Park Service too.

 

Old Friends Unite and Celebrate a Three Marlin Day

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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

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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.

The Most Fun I Eever Had Fishing

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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!

200+ Pound Pacific Blue Marlin on 50 lb Test Line

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I Love Marlin Fishing in Kona Hawaii was the sentiment shared between Chris and Rebecca Aust from Orange County, CA and us.  We had an epic day of fishing in Kona today.  We started with a hookup on the long rigger.  The  Lucky Linda Lure of course. Chris fought this 200+ pound Pacific Blue Marlin for about 25 minutes on 50 lb test line.  The Ken Matsuura Reels we use made the catch and release effortless.  Once we got lines back in the water, it was Rebecca’s turn at a fish.  Sure enough, about an hour later we are bit again.  The marlin is jumping and screaming off  line.  After just a few moments, the fish is off.  That marlin was  estimated to be a bit larger than the first one.  Now with a temporary lull in the action we decide to have lunch.  I commented to Chris that typically when everyone has a sandwich in their hands, a line goes off.  Sure enough, we are bit again.  Rebecca is back in the chair, line screaming, the marlin jumping and it comes off.  Again!  Actually, I think she was relieved.  The dorsel fin on this fish was so big that we all gasp as it came into the pattern and took the short rigger lure.  We ended this day with one release, two strikes and a mystery bite.  Not a bad day of fishing here in Kona Hawaii.

Another Perfect Day of Fishing in Kona Hawaii

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Another Perfect Day Fishing in Kona Hawaii.  Pete Balon along with his wife Kelly Ann and cousin Derek Balon and Erica Capone boarded the Fire Hatt for a Birthday outing for Kelly.  Their hopes were to catch something for dinner and to release anything else.  Well, lets say I don’t know what they are having for dinner, but a couple of hours into the trip the stinger line is bit.  Pete is in the chair and fighting a nice Pacific Blue Marlin.  After about a 30 minute fight we had the fish to leader.  Pete is out of the chair and watches as we revive and release the beauty.  His fish was estimated to be around 180 lbs.  Guess which lure was bit?  The Lucky Linda Lure again.  Not sure what I am going to do if that lure “cools off”.  Happy Birthday Kelly, hope you have some great memories to take home with you.

Yellowfin Tuna Caught Fishing in Kona Hawaii

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This yellowfin tuna was caught by our Fresno CA guests while fishing with us in Kona Hawaii. Ted and Joanna Semonious along with their friends Steve and Keri Paregien and Brian and Justine Fisher boarded the Fire Hatt for a adventure they will be talking about for a while.   With lady luck on their side and of course the Lucky Linda Lure in the pattern, we headed south.  Keri was in the chair first.  She had never caught a fish, period.  In just a short time the stinger line is bit.  Keri jumps in the chair giggling with the widest eyes I have seen in a while.  She fights her fish with the help of  Ted Semonious,  a Fresno CA Fire Battalion Chief and the 88 lb Yellowfin is boated about 30 minutes later.  Did mention it was caught on the Lucky Linda Lure?  By Bomboy Lures.