Hawaii’s Best Mahi Mahi Charter

Mahi Mahi charter showing off their catch at the dock in Haleiwa, HI.Mahi-mahi, the fish so nice they had to name it twice! What is not to like about catching mahi-mahi in Hawaii. They are super aggressive, colorful, acrobatic, and fight really hard using every truck in the book! The Hawaii state record currently is at 82 pounds and my personal largest is 62 pounds. They average in the 8 to 30-pound range. We catch them year-round but they are most commonly caught during our fall and spring months. But like I said you can catch them on an Oahu fishing charter year-round especially if you find debris,  like a log or a discarded cargo net floating out in the ocean that has been there a while which creates a food chain and structure that Hawaii Mahi Mahi love. Finding that with a live well full of Opelu(mackerel) is, game on! That’s when we bust out the stand-up rods, bring in the lures, and pitch live or deadbeat until your arms hurt! It’s a really good time. Not uncommon to catch 20 to 40 fish when you find the right thing.

Mahi Mahi caught during a north shore sportfishing charter.Oahu Mahi Mahi lives up to their name which means strong and uses their body to fight you. Always going side to side on the surface using their big flat body to resist the pull of the rod. They are unmistakable fish with their bright blue/purple color on the bite with their yellow-green spotted bodies. Gender identity is super easy too with the bulls having that really flat face and square forehead while the cows head slope back gradually. I’ll never forget the first time seeing them and just thought how amazing and prehistoric looking. Mahi Mahi is also one of my favorite fish to cook very nice white, delicate, moist meat. Mild in flavor,  great for ceviche, grilled, pan-fried, tacos. Always a crowd-pleaser! What is not to love about them? Probably one of the most popular fish to have mounted as well with all the colors and make a great addition to any home or office!  Mahi live up to only  3 years growing 2 pounds a month. Females always have eggs in them and are found in oceans worldwide.

North Shore Ahi Fishing Fever

Fishermen showing off their Ahi tuna catch at the Haleiwa docks after one of our Oahu fishing charters.Yellowfin tuna also known as Ahi is the local fish of choice to catch. For hundreds of years, they’ve always been a rich source of protein for Hawaiians. In the past, Hawaii yellowfin tuna were caught from ancient canoes.  The traditional technique of catching Ahi involved using circle hooks made of bone and rock using woven rope hand lines. As the fish pulls, the hand lines burn through their hands and it felt like fire.  The burning sensation is what gave the yellowfin tuna its Hawaiian name of Ahi, translated as fire. Ahi sportfishing is still a favorite local pastime and when that time of year comes around when the big ones show up, people around here get the Ahi fever. All of a sudden people are calling in sick to work as boats on trailers go missing from driveways!

North Shore yellowfin tuna sportfishing of the coast of Oahu.Every summer season I tend to get the Oahu Ahi fishing fever too. Generally, it will be in areas without much intense bird indication. We’ll troll these areas with lures and wait for the holes in the ocean where our lures just were. Super exciting, explosive bites out of nowhere. Single, double, triple, and even the five-banger bite of tuna over 100 pounds! May June July August is our most productive month for these size tuna but are caught year-round as well on our FAD buoys that the state places around all of the islands for fisherman. Fish agronomic devices are generally anchored in 1000 fathoms of water one fathom being 6 feet that’s some pretty deep water. These FADs create a structure at locations that these pelagic tuna travel. Generally, the fish on the FADs are smaller school size of fish ranging in the juvenile, 3-pound size all the way up to adult-sized 70-pound fish.

Large Ahi caught onboard the Flyer fishing charter boat.During the summer months that the big tuna show up, our Hawaii sportfishing charters catch them in the blind or in bird piles that usually range from 90 to 250 pounds each. Nothing like trolling along with the lures out half asleep, wondering what you’re doing and all of a sudden lines start snapping out of the outriggers and lines start screaming off the 130 size reels!  0-60 in an instant!  What a rush as your adrenaline level spikes through the roof!  Once that happens you’ll understand why we do this every day and why we have this addiction. Ahi tuna known for its delicious red oily meat is great for sashimi and local favorite, poke, a raw fish salad made with soy sauce, onion, sesame oil is a home favorite all around the islands. I feel like Hawaii is underestimated as being a top destination to catch these fish. I’ve had days of catching 10 of these Ahi fish over 150 pounds and basically had to stop fishing early because my anglers couldn’t reel another fish in. Super exciting when these fish turn on and start biting, to say the least.  They definitely make for some of my best memories on the ocean, creating bonds and friendships that I cherish to this day. Contact us today to find out more about our Oahu fishing charters.

Oahu Blue Marlin Sportfishing

Blue Marlin breaching the surface of the pacific ocean off the coast of Oahu's North Shore during a fishing charter.Blue Marlin is the best of the big game sportfish in the world by far. Pacific Blue Marlin are known to grow in excess of 1000 pounds and are caught year-round in Hawaii. There has been a grander size Oahu blue marlin caught every month of the year here in Hawaii. Oahu’s North Shore is the only place in the world I’ve seen blue Marlin school during our fall months, September and October. It doesn’t happen every year but when it does, it is the most exciting thing in the world. During our north shore fishing charters, we have had three on at a time jumping and going ballistic all over the ocean. Usually, there are some big females around and packs of males in the 150 to 250-pound class. The rest of the year our Oahu sportfishing tours have the opportunity to catch them all throughout. When the big yellowfin tuna show up there are also some big Marlin in the area as well that feed on them in May, June, and July.

 

Image of the largest marlin ever caught by sport fishermen Oahu, HI.The world’s largest marlin ever caught in the world on rod and reel was a blue marlin caught here on Oahu in 1971 which weighed in at 1805 pounds and miraculously caught in a half-hour as she choked on the 100-pound tuna that was eaten prior to the lure she ate that became her demise! We typically see a handful of Blue Marlin over 500 pounds in a year and then our average size I would say would be in the 150 to 200-pound size. They are primarily solitary fish that our blue marlin charters catch mainly by trolling artificial lures, which is nice because whenever you have lures in the water, you have a chance of a World record size beast! Sometimes we find an area where they are more concentrated and switch to live bait, using mackerel or tuna.

 

Fisherman on a Hawaii fishing tour attempting to catch a blue marlin.Marlin bites are super exciting as you’re watching the lures that are popping on the surface you’ll see them come up from the inside typically and stock the lure. Time stops as you wait for the attack, snapping the line out of the outrigger as all hell breaks loose! Once they feel the hook penetrate their mouth that is when you see them going absolutely nuts jumping all over the surface trying to shake that irritant-free as they tear the ocean apart! 20-40 minutes is the typical fight time with 4-1/2 hours being the longest battle I’ve been a part of. That one was 620 lbs and got tail wrapped and died. We had to get that one inch by inch from a few hundred yards down. The biggest I’ve caught was 1015 pounds which took an hour and a half! I’ve seen and lost bigger ones. One in particular still haunts me to this day…

Reeling in Oahu Aku Tuna

Fisherman on the Haleiwa Harbor fishing vessel the Flyer, reeling in a fish off the coast of Oahu.Skipjack tuna, also known as Aku is the hardest fighting fish in the ocean pound for pound. Ranging in size from 5 to 30 pounds these fish will fight until they tear off their face! It’s ridiculous.  We often find them in big schools with hundreds of birds indicating their presence. Not uncommon to catch five at a time and you’ll be glad after the first few that they don’t get bigger than 30 pounds! These football-shaped tunas are pure muscle, blue / silver in color with horizontal black stripes on their side. These fish are caught year-round on skipjack charters in Hawaii,  with our summer months being the best time to find the schools of the larger-sized ones. Unfortunately for the Aku, they are also a favorite food of blue marlin near Oahu so while targeting them you never know what’s gonna bite!

Skipjack tuna, Ahi on the deck of the Flyer Oahu fishing vessel. The aku is displayed with bait and lures.Our Oahu Aku charters find this fish in shallow coastal waters of the north shore all the way out to 50 miles in waters over 2 miles deep. Hawaii skipjack tuna also congregate around our state FAD ( fish agronomic device ) buoys and make it really fun to get our little anglers hooked up on the smaller stand-up rods. When they’re biting well our boat captains can predictably catch them on every pass during our which is super fun! Our state FADs range from 8 to 18 miles from the harbor. They can be reached on half days but I strongly suggest booking a full-day fishing charter to really get your time in. Some argue that their dark, translucent, red meat is better tasting than the Ahi tuna which are more favored in restaurants because of their milder taste. Aku tends to be a little more oily with a shorter shelf life. Super tasty as sashimi and poke salad!

Oahu’s Best Ono Fishing

Wahoo also known as Ono caught on the North Shore fishing vessel, the Flyer.Wahoo or Ono as we call them here in Hawaii is one of the fastest pelagic fish in all of the oceans. We catch them year-round here mainly in close on our 40-fathom ledge that extends no more than 3 miles from the island. Our wahoo sportfishing charters catch them during our summer months out deeper in areas mixed in with the Ahi (yellowfin) tuna out in deeper water as well. They are one of my favorite fish to target on our half-day charters where I can spend more time inside live baiting them with mackerel that we call Opelu on light tackle knowing that we’re most likely not gonna get blasted by an 800-pound blue marlin. North Shore Ono is said to swim at speeds greater than 50 mph!

Wahoo has a torpedo-shaped body with a thick slime layer, blue / silver in color with tiger striping, super sharp teeth, and can really burn off some line. Our average size is 15 to 30 pounds, a 50 pound Oahu Ono caught during a wahoo charter, being a monster. We also find them on debris, like logs or discarded cargo netting along with the mahi-mahi as well. Their bite is out of nowhere with a super-fast blistering initial run. Their name, Ono means, the best in Hawaii. Referring to their firm white meat which is great for sashimi and grilling!

5 Fish that You Can Catch on a Charter This Summer

Fishing is about more than sitting on a boat in the middle of a lake for hours on end! Sport fishing in Hawaii is gaining popularity amongst fishers who are looking for a unique adventure on the sea that they can can’t find at home. If you are looking to take fishing to a whole new level, consider catching these five fish on one of our Oahu deep-sea charters!

Marlin sport fishermen showing off their catch on the docks on the North Shore. Mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna are also displayed.

 

1) Blue marlin. The blue marlin is one of the most common fish caught on charter boats and can be easily baited. They are especially plentiful for deep-sea fishing in Hawaii, so if you have ever wanted to catch one of these big blues, charter fishing is a great way to go!

 

2) Yellowfin Tuna. Massive schools of Ahi tuna have been spotted moving through the Pacific area! One of the best ways to snag one of these massive fish is on a charter as the larger varieties prefer to stay away from the shore.

 

3) Skipjack TunaAnother common Oahu sport fish, schools of skipjack tuna have been known to move throughout deep-sea areas, making charter fishing the ideal way to catch them.

 

4) Mahi Mahi. A year-round fish, the Mahi Mahi is an excellent choice for fishers who are looking for something big! Preferring to hang out in waters upward in temperature of 80 degrees, this tropical fish can weigh upwards of forty pounds on average! These fish are colorful, and easily identified thanks to their distinctive bump on the top of the head.

 

5) Wahoo. A perfect prize fish, this massive species prefers to spend its time in the tropical waters of Hawaii, peaking in number around July and August. Wahoo are characterized by their long and slim bodies, and tube-like mouth and face. Their flesh is valuable and prized among fishers, and they are easily caught on charter boats.

 

If you wish to catch one of these fish, we encourage you to schedule a charter with Flyer Sportfishing today!

Summer is the Season for Blue Marlin

When you imagine a summer vacation, you probably think about spending your days at the beach or visiting a theme park, but did you know that a tropical fishing trip can also make an amazing and memorable vacation? Deep sea fishing in Hawaii has become a popular activity with both locals and tourists alike, as schools of Ahi Tuna and Blue Marlin pass through the area!

Hawaii has become one of the most popular destinations in the United States for fishers looking for a challenge. In particular, this season we are seeing large schools of Hawaii’s largest game fish, the Pacific Blue Marlin. Fishing in Hawaii is great year-round, but the most experienced anglers are now booking their trips to Hawaii to get in on catching these unusually large fish.

If you are considering saying “aloha” to Hawaii to get in o the action, be sure to book multiple days on the water; Pacific Blue Marlin tend to move frequently, so it may take a while for you to get to know each individual hot spot every day.

Blue Marlin are known to enjoy calm waters, so the best place in Hawaii to cash in on these school traveling through is Oahu. Fishing in Oahu is excellent for using live bait and capturing large fish because the water tends to be calm and quiet, allowing you to scope out the best spot to put your line. Blue Marlin tend to be attracted to larger lures, so we recommend using the four lure trolling pattern to make the most out of your fishing session. Because you can’t move with live bait in the water, knowing exactly where the fish are is crucial. Be sure to get to your spot of choice early, so you can track out where the school is that day.

Schedule a half or full-day charter with Flyer Sportfishing today!

5 Types of Billfish to Look for on Your Next Charter

You planned it weeks ago, and are finally out on the open water. The gentle nudge of the waves against the boat, the open skies, the scenic backdrop of the Hawaiian shoreline, and the company of your closest friends makes for a memorable Hawaii deep sea fishing trip with Flyer Sportfishing.

We will accompany you during your excursion on the Flyer, our 31-foot Eastern sport fisher, to provide relaxed direction and assistance, helping you make an impressive catch.

We also make it a point to share information with you on your blog that will help teach you about some fish you may encounter on the water. Captain Jared Dow reports that billfish are appearing nearby.

Here are five types of billfish to look for on your next deep-sea fishing charter on Oahu.

Blue Marlin

One of the most coveted catches is a blue marlin. The blue marlin is the largest of all bluefish as they can reach 11 feet and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They are characterized by cobalt blue shading on top and silvery white on the bottom. Blue Marlin sportfishing in Hawaii is plentiful. This billfish can be found throughout the world in tropical, subtropical, and temperate ocean water. They are also the only marlin that has rigid pectoral fins that cannot be folded.

 

Sailfish

A sailfish, which is found in warmer water, looks exactly how it sounds, as it has a high blue dorsal fin that looks like a boat’s sail. They are usually around seven feet long and grow rapidly,  reaching four to five feet in a single year. Surprisingly, sailfish have longer bills than spearfish.

 

Spearfish

Speaking of spearfish, there are three main species: The short bill spearfish, the long bill spearfish, and the Mediterranean spearfish. The short bill spearfish can be found in the Pacific and Indian oceans. This fish has a dorsal fin similar to the sailfish, but not as tall or long.

 

Swordfish

The swordfish is known for its long, weapon-like bill, which it uses to hunt its prey. This predatory fish is the lone member of the Xiphiidae family. Similar to some sharks, they also have special organs that heat their eyes and brain, helping them better catch their prey.

 

Striped Marlin

The striped marlin is marked by a dark blue or black dorsal area and silvery white body, which is laced with cobalt stripes. It has a medium-sized bill, and its pectoral fins are more flexible than other billfish.

 

If you wish to book a half or full-day charter fishing charter on the North Shore of Oahu, or learn more about the various types of billfish you may encounter if you go fishing in Hawaii, we invite you to contact us by calling 808-365-2520 or by filling out our contact form.

Colossal Communicators

At Flyer Sportfishing, we seek to provide you with all that you need for a memorable adventure. Our crew is knowledgeable and assists you with our knowledgeable yet laid-back attitude. This includes providing you with information about what you may encounter on the water.

Picture this: You’re out on the water off the coast of Oahu’s North Shore for a full-day fishing charter with your friends. Your annual fishing trip to Hawaii could not be going any better. You’ve already caught some striped marlin, and you’ve heard that there are spearfish in the water .

Sitting back, you are just waiting for your next catch.  The whirring of your fishing rod thrusts you into action. As you begin reeling in a fish, you are distracted by a major disruption of the placid waters.

A humpback whale majestically emerges from the water, thrusting its massive body through the air before descending into its aquatic sanctuary. A lasting memory has been made as you and your friends stare in awe and converse about what you just saw the rest of the trip.

Humpback whales are astonishing creatures. We previously profiled fish that you may find while on one of our charters for our blog.

In a similar fashion, here are some interesting facts to know about humpback whales.

Breaching

When these whales break the surface, it is called breaching. Humpback whales jump out of the waters and pull off fascinating acrobatic displays, twisting and turning in the air before falling on their back and immersing themselves back into the water. In addition to putting on a show for watchers, these whales could also be communicating with other whales, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland. They found that breaching was a form of long-distance communication that was normally conducted when another whale group, a pod, was within a 2.5-mile radius.

Singing

Another form of communication of humpback whales is their singing. Their complex chorus of howls, moans and cries is believed by scientists to be used for attracting mates. Males have been observed singing their songs for hours.

Migrating

These colossal beasts, which on average normally weigh around 40 tons, are found in oceans around the world. Their seasonal migration is the farthest of any mammal. The longest recorded humpback whale migration was 11,706 miles from American Samoa to the Antarctic Peninsula. Impressively, they can make a 3,000-mile trip in just 36 days.

Eating

Humpback whales feast upon tiny crustaceans such as krill, small fish (salmon, haddock, herring, mackerel) and plankton. Due to their large size, these mammals can eat up to 3,000 pounds of food per day.

Want the opportunity to see a humpback whale, while on your Hawaii deep sea fishing adventure? Call Flyer Sport Fishing in Hawaii at 808-365-2520 to book a half or full-day Hawaii fishing charter today. You never know what you will see out on the water!

3 Interesting Hawaiian Fishing Legends and Superstitions

At Flyer Sportfishing, we pride ourselves on giving you the best deep-sea fishing experience in Oahu. We give you the resources to have a great time. Instead of using pen and paper, use your fishing rod out on the open water to create a memorable tale.

Speaking of memorable tales, there are numerous interesting Hawaiian legends and folklore that have to do with fish. Here are four of our favorite local Hawaii fishing tales.

Kula is a popular character in a number of Hawaiian tales. The talented fisherman used a pearl fishhook named Kahuoi and fished out of his canoe. Kula received a wife and had a son but they had to put him in a basket and abandon him since they were poor. The chief’s daughter found the boy. They were raised together and eventually married.

The chief’s daughter fell ill and wanted fish. ‘Ai’ai went fishing, but only caught a few fish. After his wife had become sick again, he searched for Kahuoi and took his father’s canoe out to sea. Aku leaped into the canoe as they did for his father and Kamanuwai once again appeared. This time, the bird took Kahuoi and never let it fall from its grasp ever again.

 

Flyer Sportfishing boat. Charter your north shore deep-sea fishing adventure today.

 

Hou

Does your partner’s snoring bother you and keep you up at night? Frustrating, right? Imagine hearing a sea full of snoring fish. According to Hawaiian folklore, hou live in shallow water and are small, colorful fish. To hear them snoring, you must venture out onto the still water on a quiet night with torches.

The Hilu

Hilu-ula and Hilu-uli were twin brothers and sisters born as humans. Interestingly enough, they also had the power to assume the form of a fish known as the hilu. Once the twins were older, Hilu-uli departed from her family and went on a journey as a fish to Heeia. As she journeyed, she multiplied the hilu population, and a huge school of them filled the water near Heeia. The people began eating all of the hilu. Hilu-ula appeared on the island and recognized the fish form over his sister being cooked. He was enraged and took on the form of a whirlwind, entering every house that possessed hilu and blew all of the fish back into the sea. Because of this, all hilu now have dark scales.

Embark on your own legendary adventure and book a charter with us for deep-sea fishing on the North Shore of Oahu. Take the first step in creating exciting new memories by calling us at 808-365-2520.