Compared to the days leading up to the full moon, the offshore bite slowed down a bit this past week.
The backside of the full moon — the waning gibbous phase, which lasts around seven days — did not produce as much red-hot angling action for the entire charter fleet as the previous week. However, fishing was still very good for many boats off the shores of West Hawaii.
For those who do like to fish moon phases, a new moon is on the way on the April 15, to be followed by a full, pink moon at the end of the month. The strong gravitational pull these moons will provide on the ocean’s tides could provide an added advantage for offshore fisherman and afford excellent fishing.
But before I go further, I also want to be clear that, while moon phases may offer an added advantage in daytime offshore fishing, a great offshore bite can occur anytime off Kona regardless of what the moon is doing. So please, if you’re a novice fisherman, don’t fall under the belief that certain moon phases are the only good times to offshore fish.
In Hawaii, multiple physical oceanographic variables come into play, probably the most influential is the occurrence of the oceanic cyclonic eddies that appear off the Big Island.
The swirling motion of these eddies cause nutrients that are normally found in colder, deeper waters to come to the surface. This influences the surrounding water environment in a variety of ways that create perfect conditions for epipelagic fish to feed, creating excellent fishing conditions. They can spin into West Hawaii’s offshore waters at any time.
Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who insisted that ever-present change was the essence of the universe, once said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
The same principle applies to the ocean we fish. Each time the bow of a boat leaves Honokohau Harbor, it enters a sea of change, where anything can happen on any given day. You don’t want to be the one who misses it when it does.
I know people who don’t go fishing until they hear the fish are biting, whereas, I admire the captains and anglers who want to be the ones who find the fish when they turn on. That’s the real payday for any offshore angler. Sometimes if you wait onshore for the offshore bite, you miss it.
At any rate, fishing was still good this past week, and several boats had some very nice catches. The blue marlin bite remained steady with multiple boats catching blue marlin under 400 pounds, three boats bringing in blue marlin over 400 pounds, and three boats reeling in blues 500 pounds.
Several spearfish, a couple of striped marlin and a sailfish made for a nice mix of billfish too. Four different billfish species caught in the same week is impressive, let alone four billfish species found in the same fishery.
The ono are still around, but last week they didn’t bite as hardily as they did the week before. The ono can turn on like a light switch though, especially at this time of the year. The mahimahi bite definitely slowed down and ahi remain scarce for the time being. The ahi bite should change for the better soon.
I have no doubt another big bite is on its way. The question is, will you be out there when it happens?
Kona Blue gets the biggest fish honor
Angler Will Kucera had an exciting day fishing aboard the 53-foot Hatteras Kona Blue with Capt. Dave Crawford and deckhand Chris Hudson. With a spearfish already in the boat, Kucera was finishing up a half day charter when he hooked into an estimated 600-pound blue marlin in front of the harbor.
Ironically, with building seas and a 20 to 25-knot wind, Crawford and Hudson had just talked about what they would do if a big fish happened to crush one of their baits and they devised a plan in the event a big fish appeared in the challenging conditions.
Lo and behold after their discussion, Hudson saw a big blue appear behind their short bait, but it disappeared back into the sea. Moments later the fish was back up attacking a Marlin Magic Pear lure fished on the long corner rod.
In the process of attacking the lure, the fish inadvertently hooked itself high up on its head directly in front of its huge dorsal fin, a precarious spot to be hooked which can lead to a death dive if the fish has a chance to go down deep.
The powerful blue went on an initial 650-yard run, with the reel screaming, Crawford furiously chased the fish down with the boat in reverse, backing down hard on the big marlin as it rapidly distanced itself. The thrill of big game fishing filled the air as Crawford backed the boat into crashing seas with whitewater spray and waves blasting into the cockpit.
Sticking with their game plan, as soon as Hudson cleared some rods, Crawford turned the sportfishing boat hard, spinning the boat around so he could run parallel to the fast-moving marlin and chase it down going forward.
Kucera did a great job in the fighting chair, actively reeling in the bow in the line that the boat’s turn created. Running parallel to the fish, once the big marlin was near the boat, Crawford swung the stern towards the fish and Kucera closed the deal, vigorously reeling the fish up to the boat.
After a 45 minute battle, Hudson had the leader in hand, and the magnificent fish was alongside the boat. The hook was removed and the marlin was released unharmed.
Fun day on the Maverick
Twelve-year-old Thomas Shaw had a fantastic day fishing on the Maverick with Capt. Trevor Childs and deckhand James Bach. The young angler went 2-for-2 on blue marlin, releasing one estimated to be 550-pounds and another in the 150-pound range. On top of that, the junior angler also caught a spearfish, making for a phenomenal and memorable day fishing off Kona.
Shaw said he always dreamed of catching a marlin and his dream came true. The young angler fulfilled that dream quickly when he caught an estimated 150-pounder early in the day. He did a great job in the fighting chair and caught the fish in about 20-minutes. Little did he know that was just a warm-up.
Later in the day, still thrilled he caught his first marlin, in true Kona fashion, an estimated 550-pounder appeared and crushed a Tantrum AMN lure. With wide eyes and a big smile on his face, the now experienced marlin fisherman watched the big blue peel out 600 yards of line, putting the young anglers fishing savvy to test.
In big-man style, while listening to the crew, Shaw did a fantastic job fighting the fish at least four times his size, and in approximately 45 minutes, he had the second biggest fish of the week alongside the boat where it was released unharmed to fight another day.
I guess the fishing Gods determined he probably needed a cool down fish after all that heavy reeling on blue marlin and they decided to serve him up a 30-pound spearfish.
What a day. Congratulations and thanks to Capt. Trevor Childs and deckhand James Bach for making this young man’s dream come true. Nice work.
It’s never over til its over
We tell this to charter clients all the time and Capt. Al Gustavson on the Topshape proved it case and point when he had a 250-pound blue marlin take a lure while bringing in the lines right in front of the harbor at the end of the day. The lure was on a 20-foot leader straight off the rod tip, with the boat at idle when the fish hit. The blue was tagged and released, showing you should never give up until all the lures are in the boat.
Honokohau Harbor Market coming back
The Hawaii Fishing &Boating Association is bringing back their popular Honokohau Harbor Market. There will be boat hardware and accessories, diving equipment, local arts and crafts, clothing and fishing gear for sale, as well as food and beverages.
The Market, which will take place Saturday, April 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., is being held to support the Hawaii Fishing &Boating Association, a 501(c)(3), in their efforts to improve Honokohau Harbor and other small boat harbors across the state.
More details about this event will be provided in next week’s column.
See for yourself what the local boats are catching by visiting or following our Facebook page “Kona Fish Report” and if you think you have an interesting offshore, bottom or shore fishing story, email markjohnstoncatchingup@gmail.com or jdegroote@westhawaiitoday.com