MADEIRA WINS WORLD CUP WITH NEAR GRANDER
By the time the 54-team Kona fleet took to the seas to compete in the World Cup Blue Marlin Championship, the worldwide, one-day event was over. Before the Kona starting time on Independence Day, the Madeira boat Blue Makaira had boated a 983-pound blue, which proved to be unbeatable. Until the fish was actually weighed, Kona skippers held out the slim hope that the big fish being towed back to port half a world away was not as big as estimated. Instead, it proved even bigger. It would take one of Kona’s historic granders to beat it, but no Kona boat has yet weighed a grander in 2016, and no Kona team was able to catch a qualifying blue (500-pound minimum) on July 4.
WHAT’S A TUNA WORTH?
On Saturday, the first day of the two-day Firecracker Open, Team Bwana boated a 208.5-pound ahi and tagged a blue marlin. Taken together, their two fish scored the highest number of points for boats entered in the five first-day “dailies” (the $100-, $300-, $500-, and $1,000-entry levels). So even before the second day of the competition, their first-day payout totalled $49,050.
TWO NEW “SKIPJACK” LEADERS
On Friday, angler Tom Schachet fished on Night Runner with Capt. Shawn Rotella and boated a 23-pound kawakawa. It takes over the Big-Fish List lead for the species, which also goes by the name “wavy back skipjack,” according to the International Game Fish Association. Night Runner had already filled the kawakawa slot with a smaller fish but the 23-pounder definitely gives Capt. Shawn a much firmer grip on the lead. It’s the biggest KK we’ve seen in six years (2015, 18.5 pounds; 2014, 21; 2013, 13.5; 2012, 17.5; 2011, 21; 2010, 24.5).
ODDEST CATCH OF THE WEEK.
On Tuesday, Bite Me 1 weighed a 584.5-pound blue marlin. Two days later, Hookela II brought in a blue of exactly the same weight. Not a scale malfunction. Lots of other fish tested the Fuel Dock scale between those two weighings.
OTHER NOTABLES OF THE WEEK
On Wednesday, Carol and Bruce Herren boated an ono big enough to challenge the 62-pounder at the top of our list. They kept fishing and tagged two blues for their efforts. But even if you count pounds lost from the delay in weighing, the ono wouldn’t have toppled Night Runner’s leader. It came in at 59 pounds.
Big-Fish List for 2016. The list recognizes the biggest fish caught on rod and reel (except opakapaka and onaga, for which we’ll accept hand line catches) in West Hawaii waters for 2016 in each of 22 categories. They are listed by species, weight, angler, skipper, boat, and date. The list is updated every Sunday throughout the year (copyright 2016 by Jim Rizzuto). If we have overlooked you, give us a call (885-4208) or send an e-mail ([email protected]).
- Blue marlin, 865, Louis Paulo and grandson Kalamaokalani Kelekolio-Crivello, Anela okaikea. April 16.
- Black marlin, 310, Tim Flint, Capt. Butch Chee, Duck Soup, June 21
- Ahi, 233, David Diaz, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit II, June 5
- Bigeye tuna, 173, Dave Remillard, Miles Nakahara, Puamana II. Jan. 11.
- Striped marlin, 136.5, Mitchell Romero, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier. Jan 22.
- Spearfish, 54, Nick Humpries, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner, Feb. 26
- Sailfish, 91, Mike Foster, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Mar. 24.
- Mahimahi, 53, Nainoa Murtagh, Aulani. Feb. 10.
- Ono, 62, Charlie Ford, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Mar. 18.
- Kaku, (barracuda), 49.5, Koi Lorance and Tyson Fukuyama, Miki. May 7.
- Kahala, 70, Jessica Yell, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Jan 22.
- Ulua (giant trevally), 74, Bochan Johnson, from shore. Apr 3.
- Omilu (bluefin trevally), 18.5, Mikey McCrum, Shoreline. May 13
- Otaru (skipjack tuna), 28. 5, Ray Mohammond, Capt. Jim Wigzell, Go Get Em
- Broadbill swordfish, 224, Matthew Bolton, Kahele, June 14
- Ahipalaha (albacore), (vacant)
- Kawakawa, 23, Tom Schachet, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. July 1
- Kamanu (rainbow runner), 12.5. Tom Britton, kayak. Apr. 13
- Opakapaka (pink snapper), 9.5. Butch Chee, Sueto Matsumoto, Sandee. Mar. 12.
- Onaga (ulaula ko`aie), 19.5, Greg Hong, Kevin Shiraki, Erin Kai. Feb 25.
- Uku (gray snapper), 17.5, Devin Hallingstad, kayak. Mar. 24.
- O`io (bonefish), (vacant)
Beasts of the week (marlin weighing 500 pounds or more).
Jun 28: Blue marlin (584.5), Vaughn Mordecai, Capt. Chad Contessa, Bite Me 1
Jun 30: Blue marlin (584.5), Shawn, Allan Liftee, Hookela II
Released
Jun 26: Blue marlin (140 and 170), striped marlin (30), Paulette Pama, Capt. Steve Fassbender Teresa
Jun 26: Blue marlin (120), Blake Walker, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern Lights
Jun 26: Blue marlin (175), Dennis, Capt. Kerwin Masunaga, Rod Bender
Jun 26: Blue marlin (135), Craig, Capt. Jim Wigzell, Go Get Em
Jun 27: Blue marlin (110), Mitch Buckingham, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
Jun 27: Spearfish (35), Joe Porter, mako shark (250), Emily Ferguson, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
Jun 27: Blue marlin, (80 and 100), Dave Anderson, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
Jun 27: Blue marlin, (600), Mike Cipolla, Capt. Chris Choy, Sapo
Jun 27: Spearfish (35), Unknown, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
Jun 27: Blue marlin (200), Derek Knott, Capt. Jason Holtz, Pursuit
Jun 28: Blue marlin (350), Lance Young, Capt. Jason Holtz, Pursuit
Jun 28: Blue marlin (120), Jeff Johnson, Capt. Trevor Child , Maverick
Jun 28: Blue marlin (225), Don Dixon, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
Jun 28: Blue marlin (125), Brody Waters, Capt. Don Stutheit, Kona Spirit
Jun 29: Blue marlin (120), Mike Stewart, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Sea Genie II
Jun 29: Blue marlin (200 and 150), Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Jun 29: Blue marlin (125 and 140), Warren Keinath, (140), Tom Griffin, Five Star
Jun 29: Blue marlin (180), Suzanne Gustavson, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
Jun 29: Blue marlin (140), Jack Sampson, Capt. David Unger, Nasty Habit
Jun 29: Blue marlin (600), Unknown, Capt. Chad Contessa, Bite Me 1
Jun 30: Blue marlin (150), Tim McBride, Capt. Ruben Rubio, Sundowner
Jun 30: Blue marlin (60), Craig Lindner, Capt. Teddy Hoogs , Bwana
Jun 30: Blue marlin (175), Carol Herren, Capt.Bruce Herren, Raptor
Jun 30: Blue marlin (200), Joe Orepeza, Capt. James Dean, Blue Hawaii
Jul 1: Blue marlin (150), Kurt Van Burkleo, Capt. Shawn Palmer, Camelot
Jul 1: Blue marlin (500), John Robinson, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
Jul 1: Blue marlin (125), spearfish (20), Crystal Thompson, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
Jul 1: Blue marlin (200) Craig Lindner, Capt. Teddy Hoogs, Bwana
Jul 2: Blue marlin (225), Scott LaBeau, Capt Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue IV
Jul 2: Blue marlin (150), Craig Lindner, Capt. Teddy Hoogs, Bwana
Jul 2: Blue marlin (125), Scott Stables, Capt. Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed
Jul 2: Blue marlin (150), Brad Picking, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, EZ Pickens
Jul 2: Blue marlin (130), Daron Castoro, Capt. Kevin Hiney, Kuuipo
Jul 2: Blue marlin (250), Trey Ruschaupt, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
Jul 2: Blue marlin (175), Dan Christie, Bite Me 2
Jul 2: Blue marlin (175), Tim Lemman, Capt. Jeff Kahl, Piper
Jul 2: Blue marlin (150), Pat Tuell, Capt. Dale Leverone, Sea Strike
Jul 2: Blue marlin (150), John Leonard, Capt. Steve Fassbender Teresa
Jul 2: Blue marlin (140), Joe Marshall, (175), Chet Metcalf, Capt. David Unger, Nasty Habit
Jul 2: Blue marlin (140), Scott Kincade, Capt. Tim Hicks, Illusions
Jul 2: Blue marlin (175), Charles Dibona, Capt. Chuck WIlson, Fire Hatt
Jul 2: Blue marlin (275), John Dixon, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
Jul 2: Blue marlin (175), Brian Davidson, Capt. Jah Nogues, High Noon
Boated
Jun 26: Ahi (172.5), Eric Sydell, Capt. Kevin Hiney, Ku’uipo
Jun 26: Ahi (160), Barrot Smith, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit II
Jun 26: Blue marlin (202.5), Eddie Mercer, Capt. Andy, Bite Me 3
Jun 26: Ahi (171.5), Monte Leewen, Capt. Mike, Bite Me 6
Jun 26: Ono (34), Christopher Howaz, Capt. Brian Toney, Marlin Magic
Jun 26: Ahi (111), spearfish (3), Brad Picking, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, EZ Pickens
Jun 26: Ahi (171.5), Walter Umali, Scott Hawkins, Lukila
Jun 26: Spearfish (35), Unknown, Capt. Trevor Child, Maverick
Jun 27: Ahi (163, 100, and 100), Paul Orseth, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier
Jun 27: Ono (25) Tom Stilley, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
Jun 27: Ahi (199), Tanner Caputo, Capt. Dave Bertuleit, Kona Seafari
Jun 27: Spearfish (30) Dave Anderson, Capt. McGrew Rice , Ihu Nui
Jun 27: Ahi (165) Paul Dolinoy, Capt. Chris Choy, Sapo
Jun 27: Ahi (195), Sean Birdle, Capt. Bomboy Llanes, Bomboy’s Toy
Jun 27: Ahi (100 and 110), Robert Ebert, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit II
Jun 28: Ono (42) Andy McGregor, Capt. Bill Casey, Marlin Grando
Jun 28: Ahi (130) Brody Waters, Capt. Don Stutheit, Kona Spirit
Jun 29: Aku (21), Ryan and Buddy, My Buddy’s Boat
Jun 30: Blue marlin (315.5), Robert Hean, (145), Mike Hibbard, Capt. Howard Whitcomb Intrepid
Jun 30: Ahi (119), Tod Jackson, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit II
Jul 1: Ahi (118), Lokepa and Jeremy Moniz, Kawena
Jul 1: Ahi (132), Jim Adams , Capt. Jah Nogues, High Noon
Jul 1: Mahimahi (36), Rob Hasty, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue IV
Jul 1: Ahi (173) Eloy Escobedo, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
Jul 1: Spearfish (30), Craig Lindner, Capt. Teddy Hoogs, Bwana
Jul 2: Ahi (107), Jon Gangano, Todd Zane, Pookela
Jul 2: Ahi (105.5), Hunter Rodrick, (106.5), Jeff Rodrick, Capt. Will Lazenby, Linda Sue III
Jul 2: Ahi (96), Unknown, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue IV
Jul 2: Ahi (92), Unknown, Capt. Chip Van Mols, Luna
Jul 2: Ahi (83), Unknown, Capt. Chip Fisher, Hanamana
Jul 2: Ahi (151), Jordan Gorloff, Kaiola Akiona, Kailea
Jul 2: Ahi (208.5), Craig Lindner, Capt. Teddy Hoogs, Bwana
Jul 2: Ahi (145), Jason Long, Capt. Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed
Jul 2: Ahi (142.5), Nick Cala, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
Jul 2: Ahi (157.5), Zac Wigzell, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, EZ Pickens
Jul 2: Ahi (117.5), Warren Keinath, Capt. Carlton Taniyama, Five Star
Notable catches
Jun 29: Ono (59), Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Jun 29: Ahi (215), Stephen Chun, Kalena M
Jun 30: Aku (28.5), Ray Mohammond, Capt. Jim Wigzell, Go Get Em
Jul 1: Kawakawa (23), Tom Schachet, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner