Maui Charter Fishing

[GigPig]

Anyone have any suggestions for an April fishing trip out of Maui, Hawaii?  I am planning a full-day trip for the family and I'm hoping someone could shed some insight into the charters in the area.  Let me have it!

[GigPig]

Wow!    Nobody likes Hawaii? 

[BallisticsNut]

Recently got back from Maui after 10 glorious days.  There is a book called "Maui Revealed"  It has EVERYTHING you need to know about Maui.  If your planning a trip, this book is a must.  Also, I have a suggestion for a place to stay if you have not made your arrangements... (depending on the size of your family)

[GigPig]

, I have a suggestion for a place to stay if you have not made your arrangements... (depending on the size of your family)

Always open to any suggestions...although I am a little more concerned with the fishing trip part.....

[75johndeere]

I went last April the fishing sucked but the boat and captin where great he wouldn't even take a tip because we didn't catch but maybe 3 small Mahi Mahi and 4 really small tuna but me and a friend rented out the boat as a private party from what i understand the mahi mahi should be good that time of year.  we fished off the north shore in Oahu with chupu charters on the foxy lady but they might be able to recommend someone. 

[BallisticsNut]

, I have a suggestion for a place to stay if you have not made your arrangements... (depending on the size of your family)

Always open to any suggestions...although I am a little more concerned with the fishing trip part.....

This is where we stayed, the costs was about half of what it would have been in a hotel.  http://www.vrbo.com/36748 The property was fantastic and the owner was great.  It maybe a bit small for a family of 3 or more but he has another property http://www.vrbo.com/161554 that has two bedrooms. 

Get the book!! you will be glad that you did.  I was skeptical about it at first but the wife had to have it.  It turned out this book gave us more insight into places and things that only someone who has lived on the island their whole life would know.  The writer tells in like it is and does not hold back. 

[lewy]

I was there last march and did a charter, the fishing that time of year was a pretty slow. we did catch a handfull of smaller fish. the whales should still be there in april and that alone was worth going out in a boat have a good trip

[daddysprad]

My son and father-in law and I went out two years ago May on the boat "Start-Me-Up" out of Lahaina.  After 1 1/2 hour ride we got into the Mahi Mahi.  Between us we caught 7.  Great looking fish and they are amazing fighters.   The bad news was, even though we paid $175 each, we didn't own the fish.  They wanted $5 a pound for the fish that we caught.  After that the deck hands put out the marlin stuff and trolled aimlessly for 4 hours while the captain was on his cell phone trying to sell our fish to the restaurants on shore.  But, you couldn't beat the scenery.  As far as I know, you can't keep any fish on a Maui deep sea charter unless you pay extra for the fish.  We did another trip for bottom fishing just off shore and we caught lots of small reef fish.  We did get to keep those.

If you have any military affiliation, for a deep sea charter, my choice would be to go to Oahu to Hickam AFB and go out on the MWR fishing boat.  They do a great job, cheaper prices and YOU GET TO KEEP THE FISH!

[GigPig]

That is what I was expecting to hear.  I have called several operations, seems that almost all sell the catch to compensate for the low fishing rates they are charging .  Well, looks like I'll be watching fron the beach I guess 

[BallisticsNut]

You can always go spear fishing! Grab some snorkel gear and spear gun and enjoy.

[daddysprad]

Your other choice would be to do some surf fishing or fish from a Pier.  You don't need a license in Hawaii to fish in the ocean and there is a huge Costco close to the airport to pick up your gear.  There are always locals surf fishing and when I talked to them, they were happy to give me ideas.  Only problem would be to identify the fish.  Good luck, have a great trip and have a Mai tai for me.

Ron

[LivinTheDream]

I too have fished with Start Me Up, on the  boat we charted, the captain and crew were great. We rented the boat for the day as a private party (7 total) and it was well worth it. We caught fish. I got to battle my very first marlin and it was a blast. We never had to pay to keep any fish, they gave us a mahi mahi that we took back to the house and BBQ'ed!! Our wives even said it was the highlight of the trip. We fished, watched whales, and packed our own meals. It beats the crud out of doing those dinner cruises This was in Nov. so I dont know how the fishing would be in April but good luck!

[deadyote]

My buddy and I went out two years ago with the boat called "Action".  It is based out of Lahina harbor and it is one of the cheeper boats, but they do more than most of the other boats.  They leave the dock at 0300, which for us isn't that early because it is really like 0600 for us.  They go out before we get to the boat and catch live bait, most boats don't use live bait.  Also, this is the only boat that leaves that early, so you are basically fishing alone for the first couple hours.  We ended up catching over 30+ Tuna in about a 2 hour shot.  All the fish were 25-60lbs and there was not a 5 minute lull in the action the entire two hours.  The captains and boat were more than what I had expected.  When the Tuna bite stopped, we geared up and trolled back and I ended up cathing a 30 lb Mahi Mahi.  The captain said that was an exceptional day.  The captain was more than willing to give us some meat and ended up with one full gallon ziplock bag full of Tuna and 1/2 a bag full of Mahi Mahi.  They even gave us a recipe.  I would HIGHLY recommend them.  I am not sure which company they are with, but google search the boat name Action and lahiana harbor and it will come up.  If you have any more questions, shootme a PM.  I want to go back now that I am thinking about it.