Kona Hawaii fishing report - Archive -

Kona Hawaii fishing report 8/16/99:

This summers fishing action continues to be absolutely awesome. Big Marlin and 100+ lb. Yellowfin tuna have continued to be a regular catch since my last report. Usually the summertime yellowfin tuna schools are located by finding the schools of Spinner Dolfin. You'll usually mark the Yellowfin on your fish finder just in front and below the Dolfin schools. I haven't seen a deep water Spinner Dolfin school around for almost a month now but the Yellowfin are commonly being seen feeding on the surface all along the Kona coast from near shore to out past the 1,600 fathom ledge. Getting them to bite can be a real exercise in patience but there are so many of them, the odds are good that you'll eventually get one to bite. They're biting both on live bait and lures and I've heard of 2 new Yellowfin world records that are now being reviewed by the I.G.F.A.

The Stripped Marlin bite has slowed down but the Pacific Blue Marlin bite is in full swing. There have even been a few 1000+ pounders hooked up but only one boat (The Vixen) has been able to actually subdue one of these beasts and bring it back to the dock. The average size Marlin being released or brought in to the dock are in the 130 to 250 lb. range with a few bigger ones (400+) also being landed each day.

Spearfish, Mahi Mahi, Ono, Skipjack and Bigeye tuna have also been a very common site at the weigh-in dock. In fact, it's the weigh-in that seems to be the most frustrating part of the day. There are so many fish being brought in that the wait to get your fish on the scale can sometimes take over an hour. The abundance of fish sure has made the people of Kona town happy though. The price for fresh fish at the supermarkets is dirt cheep.

One word describes the bottom fishing bite right now. SLOW. There's always some fish to be had by bottom fishing and there's a wide assortment of good eating critters down there but be prepared for a long wait between bites. The currents have been very strong and it's been difficult and some days impossible to fish the prime bottom fishing grounds North of town. The sun's shinning, the water's flat and the bite (over all) is great! What are you waiting for?

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