Kona Hawaii fishing report - Archive -

Kona Hawaii fishing report - 7/1/99

It still amazes me how when the fish bite here in Kona gets real good that it becomes a main topic of conversation in this small town. People from all walks of life here seem to somehow get insider information on what's biting and where. Next thing ya know, every boat from monster cruisers to a dingy with an outboard motor is right in the spot where I thought I would get the jump on everyone and have all the fish to myself J Actually, the fishing is so good right now that just about anywhere you go there are fish. The Yellowfin tuna are both in the porpoise schools and hanging along all the ledges in the 100 to 500 fathom zone. Quite a few of them are being caught right in front of the harbor. Skipjack tuna schools are popping up from the shallows clear out beyond the 1000 fathom ledge and the Stripped Marlin and Pacific Blue Marlin are right with them sucking them down one after another like cocktail wieners. Bigeye tuna are being caught both on the 80 fathom ledge and at the FAD's. The Ono are still cruising the shoreline but with all the action going on just outside the 80 fathom drop, many of the Ono are venturing out and the deep water Ono bite is also happening. The Mahi Mahi bite is going strong with the smaller 10 to 15 lb. sizes hanging around close to shore and out in the current lines with debris while the bigger 30 to 50 pounders are commonly being caught "in the blind" anywhere in the 80 to 500 fathom range. The Spearfish bite hasn't seemed to slow down at all and these fish are still the most common catch for the boats trolling offshore. Personally, I've been spending the majority of my fishing time (customers choice) deep jigging the 80 fathom ledge for Amberjack. Typically, the Amberjack bite slows down in the summer time but I guess nobody told them it was summer yet and the bite has been excellent. No matter what your fishing pleasure is, just being out with a line in the water right now is almost a guarantee of some action.

On a sadder note, the 41st International Billfish Tournament (H.I.B.T.) has been canceled this year. Kona's most famous fishing tournament ran into organizational and management problems with the newly appointed leaders of the organization. This is the same organization that puts on the "Pro Am" tournament normally scheduled the week before the H.I.B.T. so that tournament has been canceled also.

See 'ya on the water,
Capt. Jeff Rogers
http://FISHinKONA.com