The fishing the first week of August started off a little slower than the red hot pace we had been experiencing since April here in Kona. Having said that, overall it has been a really great year here in Kona with very good numbers of fish being caught, lots of trips with multiple catches and four Granders weighed in Kona this year.
Some Highlights from Recent Kona Fishing Charters on the Humdinger
On Sunday August 9th we went 2 for 2 on Blue Marlin. The first fish we tagged and released was about 150 pounds. The second we fought and brought to the boat to tag, but could not revive it. Back at the dock, the fished weighed in at an impressive 777 pounds. On August 8th we went 2 for 3 on Blue Marlin (tagging both fish) and also caught a small spearfish we pulled the hooks on right at the boat. Another boat fishing in the same area caught and tagged a Blue Marlin they estimated at 750 pounds. Thursday August 6th we went 3 for 6 on Blue Marlin and missed a nice Yellowfin Tuna. The biggest Blue Marlin we heard reported was a fish in the 400 pound class that was tagged and released. Wednesday August 5th, we got skunked (it happens) and did not have a bite all day. Tuesday August 4th we went 1 for 2 on Blue Marlin and missed a Spearfish bite. Monday August 3rd we caught a Nice Mahi Mahi (Dorado) and missed a spearfish bite as well. All in all the action has been consistent at worst with most all of our recent charters getting a bite from at least one blue marlin with our best day recently generating 6 bites in one day for Blue Marlin.
Highlights from the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
The 56th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament wrapped up this week in Kona with 31 teams fishing in this year’s tournament. A total of 87 Blue Marlin and 1 Striped Marlin were tagged and released during the five day event. The tournament is designed to promote tag and release with a minimum weight of 300 pounds on Blue Marlin, and as a result, only 7 Blue Marlin and 8 Ahi were weighed in this year’s tournament. The largest fished weighed this year 573.4 pounds. You can view all the results at http://www.hibtfishing.com or watch the short video below recapping all of the tournament highlights.
Kona Fishing Forecast
Expect the fishing in Kona to remain excellent through September and well into the fall months this year. With the presence of the Super El Nino “Bruce Lee” this year, water temperatures in the Pacific should remain above normal well into the early winter months here in Kona. The warmer ocean currents will concentrate baitfish and Blue Marlin along the Kona coast and likely extend the excellent fishing we have seen all year in Kona.
If you are planning a fishing trip to Kona later this year, be sure and check our availability on the calendar below and be sure to book your fishing charters early. The popular winter dates around the Thanksgiving Holiday and Christmas breaks always fill up quickly and we are already taking reservations around these times. Our best rates are always available by booking right on our website, so check the calendar below and book online for the best deals.
Check Availability- Fishing in Kona Hawaii
Meet the Captains
Owner and Operator, Captain Jeff Fay, has been fishing in Kona, Hawaii for giant blue marlin for over 40 years. In addition to his numerous decades of knowledge and experience he has collected in Kona, Captain Jeff has operated several sportfishing charter boats for owners worldwide.
Captain Jeff began his fishing career in Kona crewing for Terry Truman aboard the Kua Lua in 1966. Shortly thereafter he moved to the Malia where he crewed for West Vannetta. In 1975, he partnered with Captain Peter B. Wright and purchased the Humdinger, a 37′ Rybovich located in Tampa, Florida. After moving the boat from Florida, Captain Jeff and Peter chartered the Humdinger out of Kona until the mid 1980′s when Capt. Jeff bought out partner Peter B. Wright and then briefly partnered with globetrotting big game angler Jerry Dunaway. Shortly thereafter, Captain Jeff purchased Jerry’s remaining interest in the Humdinger and has been operating sportfishing charters on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kona from this classic Rybovich ever since.
Captain Jeff has enjoyed a rich and successful career in the big game sportfishing community. After capturing his first “Grander” in 1972, Captain Jeff has gone on to assist anglers on eleven marlin over 1,000 pounds worldwide. Additionally he has captained anglers to numerous world records, the two most recently in Kona when he captained Debra Dunaway to her last two world records to complete her bid to be the first angler in history, man or woman, to hold a world record for every species of billfish in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Captain Jeff is the only Four Time Winner of the prestigious Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament’s “Henry Chee Award” presented to the top-scoring Hawaii charter fishing captain in the tournament. He now shares his passion for big game sportfishing in Hawaii with his son Brett who now Co-Captains the Humdinger along side his father.
Co-Captain Brett Fay is a native of Hawaii; born on the Big Island and raised in Kona. Brett grew up fishing in Kona with his father, Captain Jeff Fay, on the 37’ Rybovich “Humdinger”. He enjoys surfing, hunting, and fishing and just about anything that involves being outdoors. At age five, Brett caught his first Blue Marlin, and has been “Hooked” ever since.
Brett literally grew up on the Humdinger, learning the trade of Big Game Sportfishing in Hawaii and boat handling from his father Captain Jeff and mentor, Captain Henry “Butch” Chee Jr. Brett received his U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License at age 20 and began assisting his dad chartering guests on the Humdinger. Brett is an accomplished Captain and boat handler and works hard to share his passion for Hawaii, the Outdoors and Sportfishing in Kona with his guests and clients.
