Cuz

Start Me Up Sport Fishing is pleased to be able to offer private bottom fishing and “combo” fishing charters where you can experience both bottom fishing and sport fishing. Most of these trips are conducted on the Cuz fishing boat, Start Me Up’s 42′ Dorado. Occasionally they operate bottom fishing trips on one of their 38′ Bertrams. Rest assured, all of Start Me Up’s boats are well maintained and professionally outfitted with an impressive spectrum of fishing gear.

Lahaina bottom fishing charters

Start Me Up’s 4 hour Maui bottom fishing charters are an excellent choice for families looking for a shorter day on the water using lighter gear.  While the fish are generally much smaller than what you’ll catch sport fishing (most are under 3 pounds), you do have a chance of hooking into larger species, and your overall catch odds on a four hour bottom fishing trip are better than 4 hours of just trolling.

[Learn more about Maui bottom fishing]

The smaller reef fish caught off Lahaina Maui include triggerfish, surgeonfish, hogfish, goatfish, nabeta, wrasse, ta’ape (blueline snapper) and lots, lots more. Larger fish can include uku (gray snapper), ulua (giant trevally), bluefin & goldspot trevally, amberjack, barracuda, shark and even the occasional octopus! 

Be aware that a number of Hawaii’s reef fish can be carriers of ciguatera (a marine toxin). Others just taste nasty. LOCAL TIP: If you ask the crew “is this fish good eating?” and they respond “well, the locals love it” Proceed with caution. 

Bottom fishing / sport fishing combos

I recommend spending some additional time on the water if you want to experience a bit of sport fishing as well as bottom fishing. 6-8 hours can provide for some solid trolling time, and will give you a decent chance at boating mahi mahi, ono, perhaps even ahi or billfish. Even on a 4 hour trip combo trip though you should be able to troll to/from your bottom fishing spot, so there’s always a chance the big one will bite, even on that shorter day.

Like all Start Me Up’s fishing boats, the Cuz fishing boat can accommodate 6 passengers. Your crew will usually limit the number of lines in the water to 4 while bottom fishing, in order to ensure a safe and successful day on the water.

Rates do not include 4.16% state GET, 3% harbor fee, or gratuity. Cancellation is 72 hours in advance or 7 days during the Christmas holiday. When reserving more than one boat, cancellation is also 7 days in advance.

Trip Types: Private bottom fishing and combo fishing charters
Minimum age: 8 yrs recommended. 
Check-in location: Lahaina harbor, slip #12

Departure times for a.m. trips are 5:30 a.m. for 6 & 8 hour charters, or 6:00 a.m. for 4 hour charters. Afternoon trips depart at 10:30am, or 12 (noon)