It’s has been a pretty incredible year so far here in Kona, at the very least, well above average for both the numbers of marlin caught and the overall size of the fish. As we mentioned in our previous Fishing Report, there have been three Granders (Marlin over 1,000 pounds) caught this year in Hawaii, two of which were caught in Kona. Since January, we have seen a few other big fish fall just short of the Grander mark and a good number of fish over 500 pounds tagged and released. In the first week of June 2015, Kona charter boats produced over 50 blue marlin, with the three largest fish weighing in at 739 lbs, 685 lbs. and 673 lbs. Many boats are reporting multiple catches of blue marlin per day and we are continuing see a good mixed bag of species including Yellowfin Tuna, Striped Marlin, Shortbilled Spearfish, Mahi Mahi (Dorado) and Ono (Wahoo).

On Tuesday June 9th, there was a good school of tuna hanging around and just about every boat out caught at least one Yellowfin Tuna in the 100-200 pound range and several boats reported multiple hookups. In addition to the great tuna fishing in Kona right now, we are seeing a lot of juvenile blue marlin and Shortbilled spearfish which has provided consistent action and multiple hookups just about each day on our charters. On a half day fishing charter this past Wednesday we went 1 for 2 tagging a small blue marlin and losing another fish about 300 pounds after a short fight and good series of jumps. Additionally, we saw six blue marlin caught by other charter boats fishing in the same vicinity near us that day with one of the boats going 4 for 7 on Blue Marlin. Other boats in the area weighed a fish over 500 pounds and released another over 600 pounds.

And to top it off, all of this great action happened on the back side of the moon and it’s not even the 15th of June, which means we have another 3 ½ months prime time fishing here is Kona. So if you are considering a charter in the next few months, be sure and book early, because the best boats fill up quickly for the summer season. If you are interested in booking a ½ day, ¾ day or full day fishing charter, we have a special offer available if you book online. Just search the calendar below for availability on the days you want to fish and you can reserve your Kona Fishing Charter right on our website.

Meet the Captains

Jeff Fay, Captain 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.

Brett Fay, Co-Captain 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.

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