Maui/Lahina fishing

[blackpowderhunter]

Headed to Maui to watch my zags play this year in the maui invitational in November, I thought what better way to mix it up than to head out for a half day fishing trip with my wife (yes she actually wants to go)
So was just looking to see if anyone had any recommendations or had used any charters in those areas.
Thanks!

[DOUBLELUNG]

I did a half day trip a few years back with Start Me Up in Lahaina.  The captain was fat, old and whiny, made a pitch to the four of us not to want any fish as they needed to sell them to make money.  Very clear he was just driving a boat and phoning it in, could not have given 2 craps if anything happened catching-wise.  The mate was a good one, I could tell he was embarrassed and unsurprised by the lack of action.  Neither of them noticed we had a small false albacore on one of the marlin lures, I watched it skip off the swells for a little while before telling them.  That was the only strike of any kind, yet he never varied lures, speed, tactics or talked on the radio with anyone else.  He complained when I tipped the mate and not him, was an absolute turd.  I don't know if he was a regular boat driver for them or not, but if the captain on your charter is an obese, graying redhead with a heavy drinker's nose I'd steer clear.

My observation over a couple of weeks' Lahaina based vacations is that catch rates are really low compared to what I'd expect from either a Mexico or West Coast charter - less than half the boats return with one or more fish.  Reminds me of half day party boat trips out of the northeast in the 1980s, when skunked boats were not uncommon and it was rare for everyone to catch at least one fish.  Both of those were late spring/early summer vacations, may be totally different in the fall.  The best thing my wife and I did there was a sunset sail out of Lahaina, highly recommend taking your wife out for that.       

[Bill W]

I fished from shore in front (back) of the two Marriotts and caught fish on squid.  Also down at a beach between the two.

[nwwanderer]

You might try Chris on Molokai, if he can combine with a shopping trip to Maui you will have a good chance with a part day.  808 553 5783

[2MANY]

Look up Captain Fuzzy out of Lahaina.

He is the guides guide.

He found us Yellow Fin until our arms ached and I wanted to throw the pole overboard.
There is nothing fun about stand up fishing 170 pound tuna.
LOL

[KFhunter]

Any solid recommendations for Kuai?

[hookr88]

I don't have any charter recommendations, just questions you might want to ask. How do they work the rods? Do they pick numbers for first up? Based on catch rates if they assign fishing on a number system i.e. 1-6 you might just be paying to watch someone else fish if you're # 5 or 6. Or do they assign each person a rod and then rotate after a fish is caught, in case one rod happens to be the hot one? I've had both and prefer the second method.

[Bronson]

I don't have any charter recommendations, just questions you might want to ask. How do they work the rods? Do they pick numbers for first up? Based on catch rates if they assign fishing on a number system i.e. 1-6 you might just be paying to watch someone else fish if you're # 5 or 6. Or do they assign each person a rod and then rotate after a fish is caught, in case one rod happens to be the hot one? I've had both and prefer the second method.

I would second Fuzzy and the Die Hard, not sure if he does half day trips though.  His boat usually leaves at 1-3am and is fishing at gray light then trolls back in.  Usually back by 2-3pm.

When I have gone, they have given you a number before you start fishing and basically rotate until they set the spread out.  then rod numbers are assigned.  From my experience, usually everyone gives up after a fish or two and the people who really want to fish can have all the fun they want.  Really depends on who is on the boat though.

[millerwheeler]

I just went on strike  zones boat last week for a half day , fishing was real slow mates and captain worked real hard but out of 8 people for 6 hours we got 1 fish trolling ended bottom fishing and maybe got 20 or so nothing special

[jamesfromseattle]

Part of my family is from Hawaii so I spend a lot of time there. I’ve fished a few times in Hawaii and pretty much always been disappointed. I wait just long enough between trips to forget how much I disliked the trip before. I’m sure there are times when the fish are in but it has always been slow for me.  Also felt like the guides were lazy and didn’t care. I’m sure there are some good ones but make sure you’re going on somebody’s recommendation rather than just finding one via google like I did.

Most boats don’t let you keep the fish, which is pretty lame. 

I hate to be a wet blanket but my recommendation is to take a tuna charter out of Westport and spend your time in Hawaii hanging out on the beach and eating poi.

Fishing off the shore can be a lot of fun, though. Take a steelhead rod and some fish the reefs like you would fish bass.

[scotsman]

I have been real disappointed charter fishing off Hawaii. The first time the skipper just dragged lures back and firth for 6 hours, than said bring ‘em up and headed in. Waste of time and fuel. The second time we got a few Wahoo -it never occurred to me that the boat keeps all the catch - but they will let you buy the fish you just caught for market price. Never again......

But I did  have some fun casting off piers and jettys for shore fish. Just google Shore Fishing Hawaii for all the info you need. I take a light spinning rod, lures and stuff with me on the plane. I have also just gone to a Wal Mart in Hawaii, bought a cheapo setup and gave it to a local kid when leaving. Makes good points sith the locals, and that is important! When you first walk out on the pier be sure to have a 6 pack of cheap beer. Immediately offer all of it to the scruffy locals and they will always lighten up and give you pointers. Serious!!

[blackpowderhunter]

this is why im glad i asked here, appreciate the honest responses....just going to bag fishing, relax, watch my zags, and wait until it's blackmouth time back here.
 

[KFhunter]

I'm going to beer up the locals 

and toss a kid my gear when I'm done, I love that idea 

[deadyote]

Get ahold of the boat called "Action".  They are out of lahiana and run an unreal operation.  They do keep the fish to sell to the shops, but are mkre than willing to give you plenty to eat.
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[nwwanderer]

First of the whales should be showing, bring some optics