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Living Right

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The “Allii Brothers Marlin Hui” is alive and strong and living right!  Today, Buzz Colton and his brother Father Gary Colton fished an action filled day aboard Fire Hatt.  They are both avid fishermen and purchased this trip through a donation we made to the IGFA Foundations Silent Auction.  Buzz has snagged this trip several times over the years.  We thank him for supporting the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) .

Using light tackle (for here) Two Shimano 50’s and two Shimano 80’s were their choice.  The day started with a nice rip on the stinger, we are Hooked Up!  Buzz was in the chair and after a few minutes the fish came undone.  A short time later, the long corner was hit and this time Father Gary is in the chair.  Father Gary successfully brings a nice Striped Marlin to the boat and the Crew on Fire Hatt released the fish.  And then not to be undone, we have another bite, Buzz is back in the chair and the fish again comes undone!  We had one more mystery bite to complete the day.  I think God has a favorite here!  Buzz and Father Gary have been fishing waters of Kona, Hawaii for over 50 years.  They have fished numerous Tournaments, won their share of trophies and have stories of a lifetime.  We are proud to call them friends.

Father Gary Colton

Born in Van Nuys, Calif., Father Colton and his family moved to Maui in the early 1950s because his father, a dentist, loved Hawaii and wanted his family to live in the islands. Later, the family moved to Oahu for the elder Colton to set up a private dental practice in Waikiki.

On Friday, June 2nd , 50 years to the day, St. Theresa Church in Kihei hosted an anniversary celebration with Colton serving as the main celebrant during Mass.

Father Gary continues to serve as a chaplain for the Maui Police Department. He’s a member of the advisory board for Catholic Charities Hawaii, Maui; a member of the Diocesan Board of Education for Hawaii Catholic Schools; and he’s one of the founding members and an ongoing member of the board of directors for Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resources Centers.

Fire Hatt is a proud member of the AFTCO  Pro Fishing Team.  You can go to AFTCO.com and AFTCO Logo 2read their amazing story.

Living Right

Kona Tournament Series Schedule

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2017 Kona Tournament Series Schedule:

June 10 & 11, 2017

Kewalo Harbor Big Fish Chase

 

June 24 & 25, 2017

Kona Kick Off

The Tournament that kicks it all off. Local Style. Largest flag fish of each category splits purse.

 

July 1 & 2, 2017

Firecracker Open

Kona’s signature Big Game tournament. Marlin and Ahi points are scored for base purse.

 

July 4, 2017

World Cup Blue Marlin Championship Tournament

No other big game tournament allows teams to fish anywhere in the world for 8 hours in their time zones. The World Cup is for 1 day only, for 1 species only and with 1 winner only. There is no second place in the World Cup.

 

July 4, 5 & 6, 2017

The Kona Throw Down

Winner Take All for the Biggest Marlin of the Tournament from the Base Entry Fee. Two Biggest Marlin Winner Take All Categories.

 

July 7, 8 & 9, 2017

Skins Marlin Derby

Patterned after the golf format. Daily purse is available for the largest marlin over 500 lbs.

 

 July 14, 15 & 16, 2017

The Hawaii Lure Makers Challenge

PRESENTED BY BLACK BART LURES

The Hawaii Lure Makers Challenge fishes exactly like the September Challenge did, we have simply added a category for teams sponsored by lure makers to compete against each other to prove which is the most productive lure brand.

 

August 23 – 27, 2017

Big Island Marlin Tournament

Kona’s first high stakes, big game tournament to pay cash for tag and release AND big marlin. Founded in 1987.

 

Sept. 9 – 17, 2017

Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament  

Built on prestige, trophies and strict International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules for world records, teams from around the world gather to fish the world-famous waters off the Kona Coast and a chance of capturing the HIBT’s prestigious Governor’s trophy.

 

Sept. 20 – 24, 2017

It’s a Wrap Tournament

This tournament will follow the HMT Series Points scoring system, so that all teams in the running can Wrap the season competing for all possible points.

2019 Kona Fishing Tournaments

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2015 Tournament Ad

To those of you that are interested in fishing some of the Kona Fishing Tournaments in 2019, we are wide open for bookings this year and we have availability. With an El Nino developing we expect an awesome year.  We have seen some big fish at the scales and the big ahi tuna are starting early.

Below is the Tournament Schedule for 2019. Contact us to discuss and we can go from there.

 

 

2019 Kona Fishing Tournaments

Kona Kick Off
June 22nd & June 23rd, 2019

Firecracker Open
June 29th & June 30th, 2019

The Kona Throw Down
July 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2019

Skins Marlin Derby
July 5th, 6th & 7th, 2019

The Hawaii Lure Makers Challenge
July 12th, 13th & 14th, 2019

Big Island Marlin Tournament
August 16th, 17th & 18th, 2019

 

Please feel free to contact us about availability and information about these events.

 

Family Fishing in Kona Hawaii at its Best

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DSC_0262Family Fishing in Kona Hawaii at its Best. The Dean Family from Eldorado Hills and Clear Lake California should purchase Lotto Tickets when they return home. Thats the kind of luck they had fishing the beautiful silky calm waters of Kona.  As we left the harbor we headed south.  The day started with the first bite, a nice Mahi Mahi just fifteen minutes out of the harbor.  Mike Dean is in the chair and although the fish came undone, it set the mood and pace for the rest of the day.  About forty five minutes later as we are headed farther south, we  have two lines come down, we are hooked up!  A double on Ono!  This time Mike Dean and Mike Dean Sr. are on the mark.  They each landed their fish.  Dinner for the family! Now just off Keahou Bay, we are patroling the area  and twenty minutes later the stinger line comes down,  and then wham, the long rigger line comes down.   We are hooked up again! A double on what turned out to be Blue Marlin.  Once again Mike and Mike Sr.  were the anglers.  The blue marlin were estimated at about 100 lbs and 40 lbs.  We are not done yet… as we were leaving the Captain Cook area we had anoher bite.  This one escaped, we think it was a Shortbill Spearfish.  And finally, after a two hour lull in activity, the stinger line is ripped down again, we are hooked up!  With Gina in the chair, she lands a Striped Marlin!  We sucessfully release it and we are now on our way back to the harbor. This is a banner day of fishing in Kona!  Going to need taller outriggers to hang this many flags.  A good problem to have.

Featured in the top photo is Fire Hatt First Mate Brett Lasenby with Gina Dean and her Shortbill Spearfish along with her husband Mike Dean and Mike Dean Sr. after landing their 20+ lb Onos.  The photo above is one of the Marlin that were sucessfully released.
Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team

2014 Kona Hawaii Billfish Tournaments

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Charter Desk New Year’s Day Tournament  –   January 1st

  • The Charter Desk is hosting their annual New Year’s Day Tournament!

Dirty Dozen

  • First Saturday of Every Month.

Rock and Reel Tournament  –  June 13th, 14th & 15th

  •  The Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club invites you to come join the fun and excitement of our 12th Annual Rock ‘n Reel Hawaiian Open!

Kona Kick Off  –  June 28th  & 29th

  • The Tournament that kicks it all off. Local Style. Largest flag fish of each category splits purse.

29th Annual Blue Marlin World Cup Tournament  –  July 4th

  • The “World Cup” is truly the only worldwide tournament of its kind. Each July 4, teams fish for 8 hours in their time zone to see who can catch the largest blue marlin over 500 pounds. Winner takes all. There is no second place.  The World Cup supports game fishing though its support of the IGFA and The Billfish Foundation.  http://www.bluemarlinworldcup.com/

Firecracker Open  –  July 5th, 6th & 7th

  • Kona’s signature “Big Game” Tournament that scores ahi and marlin points for the base purse. Optional categories for the largest marlin and ahi of each day and of the two day tournament.

Marlin Magic Lure Tournament  –  July 8th & 9th

Skins Marlin Derby  –  July 11th, 12th, 13th, & 14th

  • The most unique Big Marlin competition in the world! Patterned after the golf format, the base purse is available each fishing day to the largest marlin weighing 500 lbs or more. If no one catches a marlin of that size, the day’s purse rolls over and is added to the next day’s purse.

Throw Down   –  July 15th, 16th, 17th

  • The Single Largest Marlin of the Tournament will be Winner Take All the purse from the Base Entry division. Entry fee to be posted soon.

54th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament  –   July 26th – August 2nd 

  • Five days of tournament fishing July 26th – August 2nd. Anglers and teams are invited to apply early as full tournament participation is anticipated. Log onto http://www.hibtfishing.com/ for details.

 Big Island Marlin Tournament  –   August 8th, 9th & 10th 

  • The event that started it all off in 1986. The BIMT was the very first high stakes, big game tournament in Hawaii to pay a cash purse for tag and release. The base entry pays the top three largest marlin. Optionals pay most points and largest marlin per day.

Veterans Helping Veterans  –  August 29th, 30th & 31st

September Challenge  –   September 12th, 13th  & 14th

  • Designed with input from the top skippers of 2010, minimum size fish is 400 lbs and 1st Place takes 70% of the base purse.

Feel free to contact me about availability and information about these events.  

Kona Hawaii Fishing Tournament Schedule 2013

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Charter Desk New Year’s Day Tournament –   January 1st

The Charter Desk is hosting their annual New Year’s Day Tournament!!  Sign up at the Charter Desk!  http://www.charterdesk.com/tournaments.html

Rock and Reel Tournament –   June 14th 15th & 16th

The Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club invites you to come join the fun and excitement of our 10th Annual Rock ‘n Reel Hawaiian Open! Two evenings of excellent food.  http://www.hbgfc.org

Kona Kick Off  –  June 28th, 29th & 30th

The Kona Kick Off is the first event in the 26th Annual Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series. A “Four  Flags” tournament, the largest marlin earns 40% of the base purse, and the largest ahi, ono and mahi each earn 20% of the base purse. There are optional daily entries as well.  http://www.konatournaments.com

Firecracker Open  –  July 5th, 6th & 7th

Kona’s signature “Big Game” Tournament that scores ahi and marlin points for the base purse. Optional categories for the largest marlin and ahi of each day and of the two day tournament.  http://www.konatournaments.com

28th Annual World Cup Tournament –  July 4th

The “World Cup” is truly the only worldwide tournament of its kind. Each July 4, teams fish for 8 hours in their time zone to see who can catch the largest blue marlin over 500 pounds. Winner takes all. There is no second place.  The World Cup supports game fishing though its support of the IGFA and The Billfish Foundation.  http://www.bluemarlinworldcup.com/

Skins Marlin Derby–   July 11th, 12th, 13th, & 14th

The most unique Big Marlin competition in the world! Patterned after the golf format, the base purse is available each fishing day to the largest marlin weighing 500 lbs or more. If no one catches a marlin of that size, the day’s purse rolls over and is added to the next day’s purse.. http://www.konatournaments.com

53rd Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament  –   August 3rd – 10th

Five days of tournament fishing August 13-17. Anglers and teams are invited to apply early as full tournament participation is anticipated. Log onto http://www.hibtfishing.com/ for details.

26th Annual Big Island Invitational Marlin Tournament  –   August 15th, 16th , 17th & 18th

The event that started it all off in 1986, this event celebrates its 26th year in 2012. The BIMT was the very first high stakes, big game tournament in Hawaii to pay a cash purse for tag and release. The base entry pays the top three largest marlin. Optionals pay most points and largest marlin per day.   http://www.konatournaments.com

September Challenge  –   September 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th.

The Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series began from the deck up in 1986. The September Challenge has been designed with input from the top skippers of 2010. The team raised the minimum weight to 400 lbs and increased the First Place Prize to 70% of the base purse.  http://www.konatournaments.com

Feel free to contact me about availability and information about these events.  You can visit these sites for registration forms and additional information

Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Days One and Two Update

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Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Days One and Two Update of the teams that fished on the Fire Hatt shows Team Captain and Angler Masaharu Matsushita of the Kona Game Fishing Club Taiyo  from Japan with his release flag for day one.  Masaharu released a 150 pound Pacific Blue Marlin on Monday and later in the day had another chance to capture a flag and the fish did not stick.  We are One for Two on day one.  This team has been fishing the HIBT in Kona Hawaii for over 30 years.  On day two, Martin and Mitchell Firestein representing the Balboa Angling Club from California were Zero for Four.  We just could not get one to stick.  The Marlin are hitting the lures fast and furious!  Martin and Mitchell were hoping to deploy a Satellite Tag into a Pacific Blue Marlin that will track the travels and behaviors of the fish for 120 days.  The program is called the Great Marlin Race.  You can go to their website and get information on last years data at http://greatmarlinrace.org , Check it out.  Several tags will be deployed this year.

 

Mahi Mahi Fishing in Kona Hawaii

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Mahi Mahi Fishing in Kona Hawaii is every bit as exciting as hooking into a Spearfish or Marlin especially if it is a big one! This one was!  For Roy Small of Lancaster, PA  this Mahi Mahi was one of the largest fish he had ever caught.   A short while later we had a Blue Marlin strike that did not stick.  Then about an hour later, another Marlin strike, again  it did not stick.  We intend to release them anyway, but it is still fun to walk them around first.  Today, Mahi Mahi fishing in Kona Hawaii proves to be luckier than Marlin Fishing In Kona.  We start fishing the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament this week and knowing where these Marlin are gives us a starting place for the tournament.

Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament

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The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT) gets underway July 25-29, 2011 in Kona, Hawaii. Built on prestige, trophies and strict International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules for world records, anglers and teams from around the world will once again gather to fish the world-famous waters off the Kona Coast.  Visitors and kamaaina are invited to its Billfish Parade this Sunday, July 24, 2011, beginning at 2:30 p.m. The parade will begin at the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and wind its way through Kailua Village ending at Hualalai Road.  You can follow the daily activity on the Official HIBT Website at http://www.hibtfishing.com/