Just received an invite to work for a friend over in Kona Hawaii this summer. I'm thinking of putting my 18' Glaspar. (a 1960's version of a Bayliner) of a cargo ship and send her over. I have Penn manual downriggers on her now, and was wondering if those might be of use in Hawaii. What's the story on trolling for those Wahoo, Ahi, or Mahi Mahi? Dear Lord, what would happen if I hooked into something big...like a shark or a sailfish. If might be dragged down into the depths. Do you think my downriggers might be handy? After I am done, rather than bring her back
I was thinking of trying to sell her over there.
thanks all,
fishingking
check6@attbi.com

You might spend as much to ship the boat as its worth. If you haven't done a lot reading on it, Kona is one of the best sport fishing destinations in the world. You don't have to go our as far to get to the fishing grounds and all the big sport fish are there. If you invest in gear, you're going to have to swallow hard on the cost of Marlin rods /reals. When / if you get over there, I'd love to hear how first hand reports of a transplant learning to deep sea fish. After catching my fist Mahi Mahi over there, and having read about the blue marlin, I've often dreamed about such an adventure.

It'd be great to have your own boat in Kailua. You might check the local paper (West Hawaii Today) classifieds for the type of boats for sale there. Here's the url:
West Hawaii Today Classified Ads

Hey Fishking,

Kona is a great place to fish. I have made several trips over there and it can be very good. A one way trip for your boat is about $900 and will take three weeks. Will you have a tow vehicle there and a place to keep it? The beauty of Kona is that you don't have to run far to start fishing. Basically, once you're out of the breakwater at the marina you can fish. Many a large blue marlin have been taken right out front, even one that topped the 1,000# mark( a "grander" as they're called). You never know what you might hook up with so you have to be prepared tackle wise. the most common fish caught are ono/wahoo, mahi mahi, spear fish, striped and blue marlin, yellowfin and skipjack tuna, shark and jacks. Go to www.fishinkona.com for a good reference. No use for the downriggers as these fish are all topwater biters.

Good luck!
Q

I used to live in the Palisades above the Airport in Kona, My bosses dad ran the Puka Kai out of honakohau harbour...For gear you will want two Penn 5080 or 5080b rods with matching penn international 80s, and for plugs check out page 49and50 in the cabelas saltwater cataloge the Kona pak is a great starter, and you troll fast...20mph or so Trade the downriggers for a fighting chair with a gimbal rodholder so you can rest the rod against the straps and still crank the reel.
I caught my first marlin out there on a 15ft ali'i kai within sight of the pier in downtown Kona. It was only 585lbs but with the small boat it took us about 5 hours to finaly get it up to the boat. Before you think of getting cheap gear think long and hard, when you finaly hookup you are going to spend the next 1 to 12 hours stapped in and working yourself and your gear harder than you can imagine and Marlin will never give you a break...Its AWESOME...one big run and somebody starts pouring water on your reel to cool it off and it STEAMS!!! In 85 degree heat...just seeing it will get you hooked, if you catch one you may never come back!
For mackeral and jack mackeral wich run 2 to 4 lbs(Catch 'em for bait and lunch) a salmon rod or even a light trout rod is perfect. For Barracuda, Mahi Mahi(dolphin tuna) and Ono(Wahoo)a good salmon rod will work fine( a little weak for big 'cudda), but if you do hook up with something bigger they will spool you before you can break it off. Ulua(crevali Jack) and all the tunas will require bigger gear, your boat is fine if you want to go that route, But many times you can get a used boat with all the gear and a chair cheaper than it would be to ship yours over and buy gear and convert it to a fighting chair...oh and don't forget the fish box, fish spoils fast when its 85 and no shade,you will need one at least six feet long and bigger is better...Last time I looked the rods were 3 or 4 hundred...get my drift. DO NOT go there and NOT fish, I went every chance I had and got to see 3 granders in the boat, and just about everything else you can think of. even better is get hooked up with someone who has a boat, buy beer and lunch and go...(the deli at Honakohau used to make incredible subs, like 2 pounds, on warm bread right out of the oven...) god I could go on forever
Nah no happy memories fer me

I grew up in Hilo which is on the other side of the island...unfortunately I didn't start fishing until I moved to Washington state.

That said, if you are looking for NFR stuff to do while you are on the Big Island, I'm the man.

Send me an email and tell me what kind of stuff you are interested in seeing while there and I can point you to the good local stuff and away from the bad touristy stuff....

You got a 500 lb Marlin in by yourself? What is an ali kai?

jeff'e'd... God no, I wish, I've heard stories of guys going solo,
An Ali'i Kai is a brand name for a boat and if I remember right they are built on the big Island, The hull is very much like a Bertram's...to the point that the bigger ones are almost a dead ringer( the Puka Kai I refered to was a Bertram and my freinds dad owned a 30 or 32 Ali'i Kai I couldn't tell the difference). A roomate had a 15 footer with a 40 horse Mariner ob and we fished it constantly, slept on the thing a lot of nights. Thats the boat I caught my one and only blue on, it got pretty hairy a couple of times.

CQ...I just looked at the link you posted, I am pretty sure that Jeff is my old boss...its been 13 years and I am not sure of his kids names anymore, but I think its him...cool

Kingfishing
I was over to Kona a few years back on vacation and was down at the docks when this marlin came in for a first place pay off off $20,000 in there 3 day dirby they have. We caught 2 Ona are are fishing trip and let me tell you one time and you will not want to come home.
Sorry for the size of the picture I just figured out how to GET the picture here.Will work on size next foks.

AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE THIS IS NOT MY FISH THE ANGLER ALOUD ME A PICTURE WITH IT.

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/uploads/UP2271.JPG[/IMG]

CQ
I owe you BIG...Jeff Is a good freind that I have been out of touch with way to long! I fired an email off last nite and he is here on vacation right now, Don't know yet if I will get a chance to hook up with him and his wife, but Thanx, ...This is way to cool