Sorry Hogmaster, had to reply to this one
My Bassin in Hawaii story
My wife and I went to Kauai last year. We went with another couple. He and I do quite a bit of Bassin in the late spring.
Anyway, we had learned about the Peacock bass there and wanted to try. We heard that they are awesome fighters and are usually only in th South America. I checked into the guide services and was not real impressed. In the process, we did get some tidbits on where to fish. So we searched out a map and found the spot.
In Hawaii you DO need a freshwater license (maybe not if you are using a guide on private lake -more about that later). You get them from the State office. There is a funny story here. We went to Walmart to pick up some tackle (we each brought collapsible spinning rods) and some tips from locals. Thought every Walmart sold licenses. NOT! As a matter of fact, it took some time to determine if a license was even necessary. Finally directed to the Sate of Hawaii offices, just down the road.
We walked int the building, figured out where we needed to go from the front directory. Up to the third floor we go. Exit the elevator, walk into the room. Now here is where this gets funny.
We had two doors to choose from. The one on the right was closest, so that was the winner. We walk into a very large room with a counter. Just a few people in the room. Like I said, this is a fairly large room, but there is a partition to our left. Obviously to separate the room for different services. And to our right are a bunch of maps of the islands. So the gal asks if she can help, we explain that we would like to get a freshwater license. She tells us we need to go to the ther door, on th other side of the partition. OK, we go. Guess who asks to help us? Yes the same lady. She walked down the counter from where we just were and asks how she can help us. My buddy and I look at each other and laugh. So we tell her we need freshawater fishing licenses. She says she canot help as the person in charge of this has just left for the day (it is around 11am). she did tell us to try a local bait and tackle shop which was about three block away. So off we go, laughing at the Hee Haw skit we just witnessed. BTW, we did have to go back to the other side to get a map.
We get to the bait shop and get the license. I still have it hanging in my office to remind me of this story. The thing about this is the bait shop was to lose in two hours and for three days because they were being fumigated for bugs. The whole buildng was being sealed.
So then the fun begins. The ladies do their thing and we go fishing. Just a few hours each day. Back at Walmart we ran into a local that fishes for Peacock bass and he tells us to use Talapia for bait. OK where do we get these, he says catch them first and use jigs. Cast out and slow retrieve.
We are on the bank, and see the ater explode. It is largemouths and Peacock bass attacking the talapia, which are readily visible. So we start casting. and three hours later, we don't even have the bait yet. They are certainly hitting the lure in swarms, but we cannot hook them. We decided to head back to Walmart to find smaller hooks. We finally find size 21, the smallest hoks I hae ever seen.
Get out on the last day of our trip, catch a ton of thumb size Talapia but no Peacock bass. Had a great time learningthe fishery though. Talk about a steep learning curve. But I could go ack now and hit it right away.
The problem is that there are some real issues about freshwater fishing on Kauai. The thread about the OFC is nothing compares to what is happening in Kauai. There is a club, made up mostly of the guides on the island, that is trying to privatize all the lakes.They are being successful. And membership is not cheap. I doubt there are any lakes or resevoirs left to fish. We found one of the last one and Fish and Game told us they were draining it and making fishing illegal on this water. You couls still hit the rivers, but you might as well use a guide. By the time you rent a boat you are out about the same amount of money.
Well, my longest post yet but I had to pass ths on. One of my most memorable fishig trips. I do have pictures of the fish we caught (rmember it was only bait). The wives still laugh when they remind us that the largest fish we caught was about the size of your thumb. I do have bragging right as mine was larger
[ 01-04-2003, 08:24 AM: Message edited by: SafetyChain ]
bass fishing in Kauai
although I caught the only largemouth. It was a magical place and time that truly I shall never forget 
Wannabe
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