Fishing in Kona

[benhuntin]

Looking for some info on Kona fishing charters.  My Buddy is headed there and looking for some advice.  Any recommendations would be nice.  Thanks in advance

[KFhunter]

I did a bunch of research as I was in Kona a couple years back, ended up not going. 

can't keep the fish was a big downer (option to buy back the fish you caught)


there was a bunch of issues, if you do go let us know what you thought

[nwwanderer]

The big boat charters are the source of all the issues, if your dream is marlin you do not have much choice.  If you would like to DIY, lots of reef fish and maybe a bonefish if your eyes are up to it and the drag on your reel is exceptional.

[Night goat]

I lived there..... Fishing sucks.

Either you pay big $$$$$ and maybe catch and release, or you are tossing bait off the rocks for reef fish and you dont want to eat anything you catch anyway, some sort of rampant bacteria from runoff and septic tanks...

Might get lucky tossing big whole baits or poppers and top water  for Ulua/big pompano before sunset and for a few hours after... Lots of night fishing for the big ones, but you do that on the rocks and cliffs and it is sketchy sometimes

[Night goat]

Hawaii is the only state to allow day boat fishermen, so any native/local/Hawaiian can go outand catch and sell to markets so... Not much sport fishing.... Probably 20 charter boats on the whole island if that

[blacktailhunter]

Have fished with Bobby Cherry the last two times I have been on the big island.  2016 we caught a 113lb ahi.  This summer we hooked up on a blue marlin  and my son landed 2 skipjack tunas.  As stated you don't get to keep the big ahi you catch since they sell them.  We did get to keep the skipjack which was excellent.  Bobby is an excellent captain and plan on fishing with him again next time we are on the big island.