Shortbill Spearfish Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Kona Fishing Charter

Barks Family Trophy in Kona Hawaii

March 16, 2015/in Captains Blog /by linda

The Barks Family have a Trophy Shortbill Spearfish, compliments of Kona Hawaii. Fifteen year old Dillon Barks along with his parents Gary and Susan Barks and his sister Reagan fish aboard Fire Hatt for two days with lots of action. Day one started with Susan and Reagan both landing a couple of Mahi Mahi followed by the very nice Shortbill Spearfish being boated by Dillon. The Spearfish weighed in at 45 pounds. Not bad for this young man! Day two was a little slower in action but Dad did release a small Spearfish. The weather was not picture perfect for Kona during their visit, there was some light rain, swells and some clouds….but the fish didn’t seem to mind at all. This Fort Worth family proved to be troopers! A perfect Family Fishing Trip!

Featured in the top photo is Fire Hatt Crewman, Brett Lazenby along with Dillon and Gary Barks.

Featured in the lower photo is the Barks Family; Gary, Dillon, Susan and Reagan from Fort Worth, TX.

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

KONA the Anglers Paradise ~ March and April Fishing Forecast

March 11, 2015/in Captains Blog /by linda

KONA – The Anglers Paradise

The forecast for March and April typically is slightly warmer water arriving, an uptick in the numbers of Blue Marlin and strong numbers of Striped Marlin, Shortbilled Spearfish and big Ahi (Yellow Fin Tuna) under the porpoise schools. Mahi are in peak season and some of the larger Bulls will be caught now.

One way to look at how water goes by the Islands is to imagine a bathtub of water over 1500 miles across between 77 and 79 degrees. That is the one here now and is a little cooler and Mahi, Spearfish and Striped Marlin love our coolest water. Coming next in the 79 to 81 degree “Bathtub” will be big numbers of Ono (Wahoo) usually starting in late March and April, and some Black Marlin. One thing for sure, the Black Marlin here are small, a 300 pound one is big in Hawaii, compared to Australia and the Southern Hemisphere where they go to 1500 pounds.

Bait fishing will also improve and the offshore FAD’S (Fish Aggravating Device also known as Fish Attracting Device) will start collecting bait and their predators’ which is great news for anglers. When you a book a Charter boat in Kona, most of the Captain’s will have fresh information on what happened and where it happened over the last few days.

In February, the Mahi and Spearfish bite had been excellent and FIRE HATT boated a 45 pound Short Billed Spearfish in early February as well as an almost daily Mahi Mahi. Blue Marlin are still around in the 77 degree water we have off the Kona Coast now and their numbers will only continue to grow as we head to our peak summer season.

Speaking of our peak season, it is just around the corner, so if you plan to fish a Tournament, NOW is the time to book if you want a particular boat before the good boats are gone. Our economy is picking up, and there is improving interest in sport fishing on all the Islands and many top boats are booking the summer now. If you want specific information or we can help in any way, do not hesitate to call us at: 808.987.0038

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

Fellow Fire Fighter Releases His First Striped Marlin

January 15, 2015/in Captains Blog /by linda

Fellow Fire Fighter Releases His First Striped Marlin. Rod Bieller and Lisa Yellowlees from Victoria BC has been fishing in Kona, Hawaii on Fire Hatt for the last Six Years. He and Lisa have been troopers when it comes to fishing. Over the years our adventures with Rod and Lisa include many attempts at catching the elusive trophy blue Marlin. We have not checked that one off his bucket list ….yet! We left the harbor around 8:00 AM and headed north to where bait had been reported. We were about about 1400 fa off “Pine Trees” when the stinger line started screaming off line. We are Hooked Up! Once lines were cleared, Angler Rod Bieller had the striped Marlin to the boat in just over five minutes. Crewman Brett Lazenby had a tag in the fish and made a quick release. Rod’s Stripey was caught on a “Silver Fox Bullet Lure” made by longtime luremaker Al Bento from Honolulu. Rod and Lisa have caught several food fish here in Kona including Mahi Mahi, Ono and a nice dinner size Big Eye Tuna they took home for shashimi last night. His real target yesterday was to land a Shortbill Spearfish. The Spearfish and Striped Marlin are here in numbers now. We did have a Spearfish come into the pattern and poke the stinger several times but did not take the lure. this is quite comon with this species. Sometimes you can tease them into taking the lure… however, not this time. We look forward to continuing the adventure next year.

Featured in the photo is Lisa Yellowlees and Rod Bieller with their release flags. Rod is a retired Fire Battalion Chief from Victoria,

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

Wintertime Fishing in Kona Hawaii

December 21, 2014/in Captains Blog /by linda

Wintertime fishing in Kona Hawaii, no gloves, no scarves, no boots, only sunscreen needed! There are few months out of the year when something is not biting in Kona Hawaii. In December however, there are still several species hanging around. This December there was a Grander Blue Marlin caught, another 900+ pound Blue Marlin caught along with several nice size Bull Mahi Mahi and Shortbilled Spearfish showing. These guests aboard Fire Hatt had a great day landing these nice Mahi Mahi.

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

Betti’s First Billfish

December 19, 2014/in Captains Blog /by linda

Betti’s first billfish. Betti DeRoy long time resident of Kona Hawaii, and an activist in the community working on projects such as the trails at the Old Airport allowing hikers to explore the ocean areas where they did not have access before. Everyone knows Betti. Betti was not feeling wwll and went down below into the salon area when the lines went off. We are Hooked Up! One fish escaped while the other one gave Betti an exciting fight. She was quickly in the chair and captured her first ever billfish, a Shortbilled Spearfish weighing an estimated 35 pounds. Everyone was beaming when she landed it. Lots of meals for her and the other guests of hers that accompanied her . You will see the fish listed in local resturants as “Hebe”. It is a delicious white meat fish.

Featured in the photo is First Mate Brett Lazenby along with angler Betti DeRoy and her 35 pound Shortbilled Spearfish.

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

Another Lucky Frank

August 23, 2014/in Captains Blog /by linda

Another Lucky Frank, also known as Frankie Lopez has just fought and released his very first Marlin. A nice 200+ pound Pacific Blue Marlin. Not bad for an eleven year old! Frank Lopez brought his family to Kona for a Family Fishing Vacation from Fallbrook, CA where Frank and Frankie spent three days fishing with us aboard Fire Hatt. On the first two days we did not get a fish, We had some missed shots where the fish did not stick and we saw Tuna that would not go. Having to face the fact that we did not get Frankie his first Marlin was not a happy moment for me and the crew on Fire Hatt. About midway through the second day still not having a bite, I received a call from the guest that would be fishing with us the following day stating he had to cancel his trip and hoped it would not be a problem. Frank heard this and jumped at the opportunity to give it another try and booked a third day to try to capture the elusive Marlin for Frankie. DAY THREE, we are all anxious about the day and want a fish real bad. As we head out, Brett and Linda select today’s arsenal. We have a bright sunny sky and fairly calm water. We head out and south. It is early afternoon and we do not have a bite….arrgh! As the afternoon clouds start to build and the water gets a little huffled, Brett and Linda change out the lures for larger dark ones. We are headed back up the line and just about the time we are second guessing our lure pattern, wham…we are Hooked Up! The fish took the lightest line in the pattern, on 80lb test Frankie worked on landing his Pacific Blue Marlin for about 35 minutes. He was awesome! As the fish ran, jumped, charged the boat and sulked it never shook Frankie. He was determined to land this one. Once the fish was released, you should have seen the the proud Dad beaming over his son that I think now holds the family record for the largest Blue Marlin in the family. Frank Lopez is no stranger to Marlin fishing. Having fished the waters of Southern California and Mexico he has several Billfish species under his belt including a Swordfish. Frank does not have the flag yet for a Shortbill Spearfish which are commonly caught in the Kona waters. I’m thinking he will be back to tag one of those soon.

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

Big Blue Marlin Fishing In Kona Hawaii

June 27, 2014/in Captains Blog /by linda

Big Blue Marlin Fishing In Kona Hawaii. We probably should report this as Big Blue Marlin Catching in Kona Hawaii! This has been a phenomenal month here in Kona with at least 11 Tag and Releases for Fire Hatt. We only kept one Marlin as we could not revive him. To top our scorecard, Brett Bailey from Saskatoon, has our boat record so far this year with an estimated 600+lb Pacific Blue Marlin release. Bret and his co-workers chartered Fire Hatt while the other group chartered another boat. They had a friendly wager on which group would produce the largest fish. We started out with a Shortbill Spearfish bite that put them ahead of the game with angler Garry Fawcett landing the 50 pounder! About an hour later we hooked the 600+ pounder. Brett was the angler and after 45 minute fight we had the fish to the boat with a clean and healthy tag and release. I hear the wager was Infinity Drinks at the Four Seasons?

Honeymoon couple John and Erica Heckathorn from Kansas City, MO had a banner day releasing two Pacific Blue Marlin. Erica was “first up” bringing in an estimated 275lb trophy. Now the competition is on! We needed to get John a fish too. We stayed true to the area as there were reports of more fish. We worked for about two hours when finally we were hooked up with a fish for John. John’s Blue Marlin was estimated at about 175lbs and was successfully tagged and released after a short 20 minute fight. Nice going you guys!

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team

A Family Affair

April 18, 2014/in Captains Blog /by linda

A Family Affair. When Howard and Deb Tieden from Wasilla, AK booked their Charter they stated that they only wanted food fish. Any food fish. They see many trophies in their business and cater to guests in the same manner we do. The couple own and operate Arrowhead Outfitters in both Alaska and Texas. Howard is a Brush Pilot and Air Taxi, transporting guests to hunting and fishing camps in the two states. You name it, Moose, Texas Deer Wild Boar,Caribou, Bear, Sheep Fish and more. This trip was a Family Affair. Their Daughter Stephanie was getting married. As a wedding gift they booked the charter. Deb shared a story with me about carrying Stephanie in a backpack while hunting and fishing….so fishing is in Stephanie’s genes. With over a dozen family members wanting to fish, we had to have two boats available. Fire Hatt had the privilege of taking the Bride and Groom, the Tiedens along with the Grooms Father Leo Gunderson and Grandson Jason Gunderson. Captain Bill Casey aboard Pacific Blue took half of the group including Deb’s parents, Snooks and Kenny Moore . We had a mini tournament between the two boats to make it interesting. Game On! We started out in what we refer to as “Ono Lane” hoping to bag a food fish. After several hours of no bites, birds or life we decided to move offshore to the pens and see if we could catch a few tunas. As we approached, we could see the Steno Dolphin there and knew our efforts would be wasted. So we moved off to “F Buoy”. Bingo, the first line in the water is bit. Jason Gunderson is on the rod and pulls in the first fish! Nice! We stayed for several more passes and the Stenos found us. We couldn’t get any more fish to the boat without having them bit off. We head further offshore and put out the lures and hope for a tuna. After about an hour of trolling, the group decided they wanted to go back and take their chances with the Stenos and try for a few more small tunas. This paid off! The Stenos had moved on and we were able to pull in several more small tunas. With time running out, we had to leave and head back to the harbor. With lures back in the water we head in. About half way there, the long rigger line is bit! The line comes down and the fish comes off. We are able to tease the fish and keep it interested. He takes a few more strikes at the long rigger bait and then switches to the stinger line. We are hooked up! Larry Gunderson (AKA “The Groom”) is in the chair and makes for a short fight bringing in this 40 pound Short Bill Spearfish. Talk about a perfect finish for a day! Oh…we won this little competition. All in good fun!

Featured in the photo above is Howard Tieden. Stephanie Gunderson, Deb Tieden, Jason Gunderson and Larry Gunderson. www.arrowheadoutfitters.com

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team

First Spearfish for Ken Shaw from Edmonton Alberta

February 3, 2014/in Captains Blog /by linda

First Spearfish for Ken Shaw from Edmonton Alberta. Ken Shaw from Edmonton Alberta along with close friend Steve Dahl and their families enjoyed a day fishing the silky calm waters of Kona Hawaii with myself and crewman Brett Lasenby. We were on a half day afternoon charter and did not waste any time getting lines in the water as we are leaving the harbor mouth. These guys want a fish! Their wishes were answered with this impressive 35+ pound Shortbill Spearfish. FYI, Short-billed spearfish are a pelagic tropical species found offshore or near volcanic islands surrounded by deep water along current lines, drop-offs and ledges. Hawaii offers unquestionably the best shot at productive short-bill spearfishing because of the combination of underwater structures and cold currents. Hawaii consistently produces more short-nosed spearfish than any other known area, with them returning to Hawaii’s waters each spring to spawn. The best months for a shot at this species are February through June. Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team

When a Woman Loves her Man, She Takes Him Fishing in Kona Hawaii

January 25, 2014/in Captains Blog /by linda

When a Woman Loves her Man, She Takes Him Fishing in Kona Hawaii. That is what Lisa Yellowlees from Victoria, BC did for her sweetheart, Rod Bieller. Rod loves to fish, especially in Kona Hawaii, so for a “milestone birthday”, Lisa called us months in advance and arranged the surprise fishing trip for him. There was a good prpbability that he would be calling to book a trip anyway, so we had to steer him to the date already planned for him. This was so much fun to be a part of. Rod and Lisa have fished with us several times in the past and we were looking forward to going again. Rod is a retired Fire Battalion Chief from Victoria so we have a lot in common. So now we have a surprise charter for Rod, we are out almost all day before we finally get a bite. This nice Ono (Wahoo) was just what we needed. You don’t want to get skunked on your birthday.

January and February into March are excellent months for Shortbill Spearfish, Ono and Striped Marlin. There are some nice Ahi Tuna around too. These months transition into the famed Pacific Blue Marlin months ahead. Although Pacific Blue Marlin are caught here year around, they show up in numbers in the summer months.

Featured in the photo above is Rod Bieler and Lisa Yellowlees proudly showing off the nice Ono.

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team

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