big island fishing


Record Setting Catches in Hawaii

By now, you’re gearing up for your Hawaii Deep Sea Fishing Charter and are ready to hit the open ocean. The waters off Hawaii’s coast are the perfect place for big game fish to grow. And grow, and grow. The abundant supply of food and warm waters create a habitat that fish love, with plenty of room to swim freely and thrive.

It may come as no surprise that some of the largest fish on record have been caught off of Hawaii’s coast. Areas off of Oahu and the Big Island are ripe with huge fish and local fishing boats have been apart of history for years. Battles for these giants can go on for hours, and when a boat pulls back into port, it is a celebration for everyone involved, and even the folks that are minding their own business. Record setting fish do not come along everyday, so when it happens, excitement overtakes everyone.

In 2015, the largest Marlin in 23 years was caught off the coast of Kona on the Big Island. Referred to as the “Shaquille O’Neal of blue marlins”, the fish was gigantic, and almost unbelievable. Though it was eight pounds short of the world record, the impressive fish weighed in at 1,368 pounds, and was estimated to be between 18-26 years old. Historically speaking, it was the eighth largest marline ever caught, and was considered to be a rare catch, considering that most marlin caught are in the 300-400 pound range.

Over the years, local records have been set by boats that head out for a day of fishing, and the unsuspecting crew end up part of history. Of the fish that are commonly caught during fishing charters, records include:

  • Yellowfin Tuna – 325 lbs
  • Skipjack Tuna  - 40 lbs 8 oz
  • Swordfish – 503 lbs
  • Mahi Mahi – 82 lbs

Knowing that there are fish this large out in the ocean is incredible, and on any fishing trip, a new record could be set. Fishing is a national pastime in Hawaii and its importance to the islands cannot be understated. A day at sea is an incredible experience, and the chance to be part of something special should not be missed.

Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year round, our Big Island tours and Big Island Activities sell out quickly. In many cases, tours sell out weeks or months in advance. To ensure your spots on tour, we recommend reserving your tours today. Call our office or book online to take advantage of our low price guarantee today.