Fishing in Hawaii questions

Taylor's viewpoint · 10-25-2002, 06:44 PM

I am going to be vacationing in Hawaii this winter and was wondering if anyone can give me a report on a guide to use. Or give me a report on a guide not to use. I will be on Maui for 5 or 6 days. Any info would be appreciated.

Bill_Batson · 10-25-2002, 07:04 PM

I would fish with Dave Hudson of the "Finest Kind" Charters. I fished with Dave many times in my twenty years on Maui. He runs out of Lahaina, and has fished those waters since around 1975.

Taylor's viewpoint · 10-26-2002, 08:15 AM

Back to the top

Hogmaster · 10-26-2002, 08:29 AM

Sounds like paiolo knows what he is talking about.

If nothing else, go to Lahina in the afternoon and just walk the charter row after the boats come in. During the day there are "barkers" that will encourage you to look at their scrapbooks and whatnot, but if you wait you can actually see the boats, and more importantly, the Captain and crew. Also, if you spend and hour or two as they come in you can see which brings back fish.

I did this on both Maui and Honolulu and got good trips. But that was several years ago, so can't remember the Charters I went with. I think it was the "Absolute" once out of Maui, but I don't remember the Captain's name.

Are you looking for a full boat to charter or just a seat or two? When I went by myself I also factored how many were going to be in the boat that day. Some boats fill with more fishermen than rods and you have to rotate in. Didn't want to do that...

Good luck!

Taylor's viewpoint · 10-26-2002, 08:47 AM

I'm only looking to fill two seats. I know we run the risk of getting on board with some pucker

, a drunk [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] or some loudmouth bore

but I can't afford to hire the entire boat.
TV

Hogmaster · 10-26-2002, 09:03 AM

Tv -

Those are always possibilities, but that's why I wanted to meet the crew. They are the ones that ultimately can make or break the enjoyment of the trip.

They can tell the Ralphers to do their Buicking on the far side of the boat, calm the louts and generally put the good and willing fishermen in the best spots to catch fish. (Without really disclosing it)

Always make freinds with your captain!

will_e_fish · 10-26-2002, 06:16 PM

I am also curious about a Hawian Trip and Fishing there as well. I have heard that some Captain's reserve the right to keep the crews catch to later resell commercially. Anyone with knowledge of these Captains catch keeping practices?. I would want to eat some of what I caught especially if it were of a Tuna variety. Catch and release is OK too.
Paying a guy to catch fish he is gonna sell sounds like fishy bussiness. When I go I am going to be careful who I spend my time and money with.

Hogmaster · 10-26-2002, 08:36 PM

You may be waiting for quite a while. Virtually ALL the charters in Hawaii, in fact most big game ports, keep the meat on any catch. They are allowed and do sell those catches as a substantial part of their income. The local rest trade depends on those catches. If the charter did not keep the fish, the price of your ride share or whole charter would go up.

If you understand that, it is really their risk and another motivation for them to get you into fish. When you succeed they succeed.

Most will cut a meal(s) on a fish you keep for you if you ask.

I have caught, tagged and released 3 Blue Marlin on the charters I booked with because they were "only" in the 200 pound range.

Different places, different expectations. For what it is worth, the broomstick rod and strapped in fighting chairs really make the fight less thrilling than a right gear salmonoid catch in my view. Great experience and fun, glad I did it, it just is that you don't FEEL the fish as much.

[ 10-26-2002, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Hogmaster ]

BUGLEMAN · 10-27-2002, 11:04 PM

We were in Lahiana town this summers. All the locals I talked to about fishing said a 1/2 day trip is a waste of time. You want a fast boat that can get way offshore quickly to the fish. Don't go on a chugger.

If you want to buy fish email me.