Do humpback whales effect a Maui fishing charter? Well, yes and no. The fish don't care much, but captains are at the mercy of a humpback's movements. Federal regulations prohibit approaching humpback whales (by any means) within 100 yards (90 m) when on or in the water. These regulations apply to all ocean users, year-round throughout the Hawaiian Islands, except as authorized under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The first humpback whales of the season were sighted off Mala wharf in … [Read more...]
Maui's Fishing Seasons
Hawaii is the only place in the world where marlin weighing over 1000# have been caught in every month of the year. Virtually all species can be caught any month of the year, though some months are obviously better than others.
Fall Fishing off Maui Hawaii
September, October, November FISHING: The larger blue marlin that show up in Maui waters during the summer months are tapering off, though a few big ones can still be caught in September. Big Eye" is the prize when it comes to Tuna. Not many of the larger yellowfin around this time of year. Quite a few smaller aku, "shebi". Mahi mahi (dorado) can still be caught in the fall too. Marlin hookups, while they do occur, are rarer as winter approaches. Strikes that do occur do so farther … [Read more...]
Marjorie Ann: August Recap
In most states, the month of August signals many things - wrapping up summer vacations, going back to school, and getting back into a routine that often involves baseball practice, band rehearsals and sleepovers. For fishermen in Hawaii, however, August signals another thing altogether - the Lanai Rendezvous Fishing Tournament. Going strong in its 43rd year, the tournament is by invite-only, with first priority given to those who have competed previously. A long-running tradition for many … [Read more...]
Spring Fishing off Maui
March, April and May FISHING While spring may not be the optimum time for the big blue marlin, many of the other Maui gamefish are reaching good numbers. May in particular can be a very productive month to fish off Maui, Hawaii. All in all, spring fishing off Maui can be an exciting time both inshore, and offshore. Mahi mahi (dorado) is arguably Maui's most frequently caught gamefish. They can be caught year round. but in April and May we see the greatest numbers. Ono (wahoo) are a … [Read more...]
Maui fishing in the winter
DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY FISHING: Winter is sort of a "catch your breath" month for the Maui sport fishing industry. Fishing is good, but with fewer "hot" bites as we see in the summer. Big Eye tuna are in season during the winter. Big Eye is sometimes confused with yellowfin tuna (except they are fatter with...bigger eyes. Go figure). Both species are simply referred to as "ahi". Since Big Eye are deepwater tuna, they're most often hooked by those boats leaving wickedly early and … [Read more...]
Oama: summer baitfish
Maui Shore fishing guide Brian Edmisson reports the oama are running strong lately. Oama make excellent live bait for attracting the larger fish like papio and omilu. Oama (pronounced o-wa'-ma) are juvenile goatfish that come in shore when they reach roughly 4-5" in length in search of shrimp, worms, etc. During the summer months they can be found gathering in huge schools in the shallows off Hawaii's beaches. Numbering in the thousands sometimes, Oama will hang out in the same general area … [Read more...]
Summer fishing off Maui
June, July & August SUMMER FISHING Summer offers Maui fishing enthusiasts their best chance at the largest gamefish; blue marlin in excess of 500lbs, and ahi (yellowfin tuna) over 100lbs are caught more during the summer than at any other time during the year. And while the quality of the catch can be spectacular during the summer, the quantity brought in by the boats may not be as consistent. Indeed, summer fishing can be marked by a day or two of the doldrums where practically no boat … [Read more...]