Big Island Fishing Report Kona Hawaii – September 3, 2015 – The fishing has been hit or miss lately due to a series of tropical storms passing on either side of the Big Island of Hawaii over the past few weeks. The storms have disrupted our normal pattern of trade winds and currents, making the fishing spotty and unpredictable. Despite the less than ideal conditions, when the fishing turns on, it turns red hot. Late in August, Kona gave up two more giants. A monster 1,305 pound Blue Marlin (picture below) was caught on a charter by another boat fishing in the area, and a few days earlier, another boat caught a 1,075.8 pound Blue Marlin. I’ve lost track of whether that makes five or six Granders this year in Kona, but regardless, it is evidence why no matter what time of year and no matter what the conditions, Kona Hawaii ranks #1 as the best location in the world to catch giant Blue Marlin.
The last week of August, we went 2/4 on Blue Marlin and in addition to the great marling fishing this time of year; we are seeing good numbers of Tuna showing up along with the occasional Ono, Striped Marlin and Shortbilled Spearfish. Once the currents calm down and the trade winds get back to their normal pattern, expect the fishing to heat up again and get a bit more consistent.
Overall, the Sportfishing in Kona this year has been fantastic. We are experiencing an extremely strong El Nino condition in the Eastern Pacific ocean, which has consistently kept our water temperatures in the mid to high 80’s, concentrating baitfish and the bigger species like Blue Marlin, Ono (Wahoo) and Tuna in the area. While you have probably read a lot lately about the large number of very large hurricanes and typhoons that have formed in the Pacific this year, generally speaking, those storms have steered around the islands and despite a bit of rain and high humidity, we were unaffected as Kona lies on the protected side of the island in the shadow of three large volcanoes. The fishing on Kona happens very close to shore and the water conditions most days are extremely calm.
Expect the water temperatures to remain warm well into October, November and December this year which should extend our prime time fishing for Blue Marlin and Tuna a few months into the holiday season this year because of the El Nino conditions.
Be sure and book your Kona Fishing Charters early if you plan to join us around the popular Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. We are already booking several days around Christmas time now and we will very busy that time of year. You always get our lowest rate on fishing charters by booking directly on our website, so check availability on the calendar below for your preferred dates and secure your fishing charter by booking your reservations online.
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.
