About us

Kona Fishing Charters on The Humdinger

Call Captain Jeff Fay to book your next Fishing Charter in Kona Hawaii on the Humdinger.  Fish with one of Kona’s most experienced captains in the calm, deep, blue water off the renowned coast of Kona Hawaii.  Captain Jeff Fay has been operating marlin fishing charters here in Kona Hawaii for over 50 years.   Fish for blue marlin, striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, short billed spearfish, wahoo and more!  Fish in comfort aboard our 37-foot custom Rybovich Sportfisherman.  The fishing in Kona takes place just a few minutes from our slip which means you spend more time fishing and less time running to and from the fishing grounds.  Don’t take chances booking your Kona fishing charter, come fish with one of Kona’s most knowledgeable and experienced crews.  

  • Owner Operator – Father-Son Captain and Crew
  • Over 50 years of local experience operating fishing charters in Kona Hawaii.
  • Comfortable, safe, affordable.
  • You may keep your catch.
  • Web only rates and special discounts for booking online.
  • Discount for multiple day fishing charters.
  • No fishing license required.
  • Courteous, experienced, professional crew. Our crew grew up in Kona Hawaii fishing for giant blue marlin.
  • Full-day, 3/4-day and 1/2-day Kona fishing charters for up to 6 people. ONE PRICE BOOKS THE BOAT!
  • 37′Rybovich sportfisherman, tournament rigged, full electronics, Penn International rods and reels.
  • All ice, bait and tackle provided.
  • Novice and professional anglers welcome.
 

About the Humdinger

Captain Fay 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, Jeff partnered with Captain Peter B. Wright and purchased the Humdinger, a 37′ Rybovich located in Tampa, Florida. After moving the boat from Florida, Jeff and Peter chartered the Humdinger out of Kona until the mid 1980’s when Jeff bought out partner Peter B. Wright and then briefly partnered with globetrotting big game angler Jerry Dunaway. Shortly thereafter, Jeff purchased Jerry’s remaining interest in the Humdinger and has been operating this classic Rybovich from Kona Hawaii ever since.

The boat, hull #33, was originally named “Gem” and built by Rybovich Boat Works in Palm Beach Florida in 1958. The original owner, George Molle, commissioned Rybovich to build him a boat with one stipulation; that the boat be constructed using a Catalyzed Epoxy Resin. This technique was the first of its kind used in the construction of Sportfishing boats and went on to revolutionize the industry. After over 55 years of continuous charter service, the Humdinger demonstrates the durability of the cold molded fiberglass construction pioneered by Tommy Rybovich and used extensively in the manufacturing of sportfishing boats the world over.

 
Meet the Captains

Meet the Captains

Click on the Images Below to View the Captain's Bios

  • Jeff Fay
    Jeff Fay
    Captain
  • Brett Fay
    Brett Fay
    Co-Captain
Jeff Fay
Captain
Jeff Fay

Captain Jeff Fay has been fishing in Kona, Hawaii for giant blue marlin for over 50 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 Five 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.

Brett Fay
Co-Captain
Brett Fay

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 and boat handling from his father 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 with his guests and clients.

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