Hawaii is a really cool place to fish because there are a wide variety of unique fishing techniques there to target the unique fish that they have. However any standard technique will also work.

You mentioned whipping and this is the way to go when targeting smaller gamefish. The steelhead rods you mentioned are perfect and locals often go even lighter for certain species. What I would recommend doing is going to a local tackle shop and asking about what's been working lately. You'll definitely see some lures that you probably haven't seen before anywhere else, like glitter strips. These are typically fished below a sliding or cork float and they work great for papio, moano, and a variety of other fish. Squid strips also work well too, as do lots of other techniques. I'd spend lots of time checking out different beaches and trying different fishing methods. The waters are so full of life that you're guaranteed to catch something.

Hope I was of help!

 

Next time I got back, I'm bringing my own slip bobbers, hooks and line. The stuff we use is a lot better than what many of the tourist tackle shops sell over there. They do have baits and lures that the fish like and it would definitely be worth it to go talk to them and buy some local gear and chat with them.

You might also try fishing with a Hawaiian sling... it's a pretty awesome and challenging way to spend the day. Pretty cheap too- you can buy a spear there for $30 and just need fins and a snorkeling mask. Make sure you have good foot protection if you try this.

Such a blast, my wife and I did this every day on our honeymoon to catch our breakfast

Good luck and have fun!


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If you haven't read already, great thread

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=434106

 

Excellent thread with great info for sure!:flag2:

 

Check out youtube, and do what they do.
The places I saw folks having the most success on my recent trip were La Pereuse down past Makena, the reefs along S Kihei Road, and off the seawall at Maalea harbor. But pretty much everywhere you go you will find folks fishing. Whipping and Dunking!
And visit Eskimo Candy for the best Poke. You can also get Poke at Foodland on S Kihei Rd, and frozen squid for bait.
Have fun! Wish I was there.

 

Believe it or not, the best bait we have found for fishing off the rocks is bread, regular old bread, smashed into a ball and stuck on a hook. Doesn't rot, cheap and very effective. Toss it in a fishy looking area and drift it. We take a couple cheap travel rods with $20 reels, spooled with 15 pound mono, some bait holder hooks, swivels and sinkers. Curly tail jigs are good too if you need to cast very far.
If your staying near Lahaina, West Maui Sports and Fishing Supply will have about anything you'll need and Doug is a wealth of knowledge.
Have fun!

 

Believe it or not, the best bait we have found for fishing off the rocks is bread, regular old bread, smashed into a ball and stuck on a hook. Doesn't rot, cheap and very effective. Toss it in a fishy looking area and drift it. We take a couple cheap travel rods with $20 reels, spooled with 15 pound mono, some bait holder hooks, swivels and sinkers. Curly tail jigs are good too if you need to cast very far.
If your staying near Lahaina, West Maui Sports and Fishing Supply will have about anything you'll need and Doug is a wealth of knowledge.
Have fun!

Maybe with a little Peanut Butter as well? That's funny that bread works so well. Sounds like originally that discovery went something like? "Hey! We're out of bait! All you brought was this loaf of bread!"

 

Thank you all and what a post! I made a classic mistake in search for Maui shorefishing instead of Hawaii Shore fishing

 

About 16 years ago I went to Lahina and fished off the rocks downtown. I believe I used squid strips on just a hook and split shot. I caught a couple of Pompano about 14 inches, they are fighters, kept them for dinner, filet them and fried them up for dinner and they were delicious.

There are many varieties of fish in those waters, when I was there no fishing license was required for salt water, I don't know if that is still the law now....