Kona Hawaii Fishing Charter Recommendations

[mburrows]

Going in Februay and looking to do some fishing. Any recommendations?

[KFhunter]

I looked into it myself, didn't want to buy back the fish I caught.

best way to look at it is this:

They're all commercial fishing boats who'll let you pay them to work for them for the day; but if you want the product you helped to produce, you gotta pay for it - market price.

[mburrows]

I looked into it myself, didn't want to buy back the fish I caught.

best way to look at it is this:

They're all commercial fishing boats who'll let you pay them to work for them for the day; but if you want the product you helped to produce, you gotta pay for it - market price.

Dang thats a bummer. Did you end up booking a trip?

[KFhunter]

No I did not.

Never got to go fishing either, I wanted to spear fish.   I've been three times to HI and only got to spear fish once.


I've heard the waters around Hawaii are fished pretty hard and isn't the best place to fish. 

[mburrows]

Appreciate the input. I'll let you know how things turn out for us.

[WAcoueshunter]

I’ve fished twice out of Kauai the last couple years, the boat generally takes fish over 25 lbs because that’s what they can sell, and you can take anything smaller. Remember, they are also working for tips, so my experience is we wind up with as much fish as we want.

[KFhunter]

Appreciate the input. I'll let you know how things turn out for us.

Please do, my kids and family are already planning another HI trip, maybe this time I'll get the chance to fish 

[jamesfromseattle]

I think there was a topic on this a few months back. Good communication with the charter is key. There are a lot of people that are pretty bummed about not being able to keep fish. Some charters let you keep what you catch, though. So if that is something that matters to you, you should make sure you’re clear on the boat rules.

I’ve gone a couple times in HI, and quite frankly, have been disappointed. I spend a lot of time there because that’s where my family is from, but I’d rather spend my Hawaii time either fishing from the beach or sitting on the beach, and save my money for a tuna trip out of Westport.

That being said, reasonable minds could disagree. Kona is considered a world class fishing destination. Just not my cup of tea.

[mburrows]

I appreciate the input. Im interested in shore fishing as well, i need to start researching that

[Jolten]

There's one called bite me something I talked to at a bar there in Kona. Seemed to be pretty cool people sadly I didn't have time to go

[jeffro]

As with an charter...
Be very clear of your expectations when you book the trip and before you board the boat and pay any money.
I’ve run into this situation in both Hawaii and Mexico, where the “boat” owns the fish.
Complete BS!
I wanted to catch and release, but everything caught was killed and towed back to the marina, so they could hang it up in hopes of booking the next customer.

[elkchaser54]

Reviving this topic here.....

So I'm going in February for my birthday and the wife says she will get me a fishing trip for my present.  So what would you guys recommend for an experience ?

[Dhoey07]

http://fishinkona.com/

I fished on this boat 10 years ago and the father in law fished with him again 5 years ago.  Captain is kind of well, grumpy maybe 

He put us on fish and we had a good time.

[hookr88]

I’m here in Maui right now. Fished with Die Hard charters. Midnight run for 4 hours but we got the fish. Having a tuna, mahi mahi fish fry shortly. They let us keep 20 servings. So yes, they may let you keep some, just check first. It is a no nonsense charter but it was a good time. Going back out Friday, I will ask them for a recommendation. If they recommend someone I would feel good about booking with them.

[elkchaser54]

Let me know what they say ! I will check it out.