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February is always a tough month for the Hawaiian Islands because that's the month that we get the worst weather. Not at all bad weather compared to most places but we're spoiled here so when the temperature gets down near 60, we complain. When we get too much rain, we complain. When the winds are too strong, we complain.
Here in Kona we are even more spoiled than other island spots because we are the dry side of the island and the huge mountains here protect us from the trade winds. Right now, the other side of the island is being pounded by 20 to 30 mph winds and it's been going on for most of the month. In Kona, we get the 'wrap around' wind effect that can be quite unpredictable. Fishing while trying to stay out of the rain squalls and away from the rough seas created by strong winds really has an affect on where you can go and what kind of fishing you can do. March is here and it will soon be flat waters and sunshine.
The blue marlin bite has been quite good for winter. We expect to have striped marlin around in the winter but the blue marlin bite has been outpacing the striped marlin bite. It's also spearfish season but they really haven't been around much. They are usually thick around Kona at this time of the year so I'm hoping they're just running a little late and it's not an indicator of a poor season for them.
Mahi mahi season is just starting and we're seeing a few come in here and there. The ahi tuna bite has been pretty good while working the porpoise schools. Those are the 100 lb. + size tunas. I was in a school yesterday for hours but couldn't get a bite. I think more than 1/2 the boats working it didn't catch. The smaller ahi tunas have been around the ledges and buoys. The offshore fish farm has had rough tooth dolphins hanging around it so every tuna you hook up there is quickly eaten off of your line.
I did get some bottom fishing in this month and some days went quite well but there were several days that the bottom fishing grounds were just unfishable or the currents were all messed up so the fish had moved out to somewhere else. I always look forward to the arrival of March when the humpback whales are most active, flatter seas, more sunshine and pretty much always, better fishing.
See 'ya on the water,
Capt. Jeff Rogers
http://FISHinKONA.com
