CUZ (Start Me Up)

Maui bottom fishing and “combo” trips

Start Me Up Sport Fishing is pleased to be able to offer private bottom fishing and “combo” charters where you can experience both bottom fishing and sport fishing. Most of these trips are conducted on the Cuz fishing boat, a 42′ Dorado. However, they also operate bottom fishing trips on their 38′ Bertrams, as well as a 35′ Blackfin. Rest assured, all of Start Me Up’s boats are well-maintained and professionally outfitted with an impressive spectrum of fishing gear, and a skilled, friendly crew.

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 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 fast-moving pelagic gamefish like 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.

All of Start Me Up’s fishing boats, accommodate no more than 6 passengers. On bottom fishing charters the crew will often limit the number of lines in the water to four, 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. The cancelation window is 72 hours in advance or 7 days during the Christmas holiday.

When reserving more than one boat, cancelation will always be at least 7 days in advance, and a 50% deposit may be required at the time of booking.

Trip Types: Private bottom fishing and combo fishing charters
Minimum age: 8 
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 12:00 noon, and are typically booked after the morning trip has been filled.