For offshore fishermen, November is a season of surprises. This month, when the line snaps free of the outrigger release and the reel starts buzzing, you don’t know what might be ripping line off the reel. Last 
week’s mixed bag of catches is proof. Anglers reported catching marlin, spearfish, sailfish, ahi, mahimahi, ono, aku, rainbow runner, ulua, amberjack, and sailfish. The fish paid no regard for the calendar, lunar cycle, weather, sea temperature, current or prognastications of fishing pundits. But they all followed the time honored rule of fishing — right place, right time, right stuff.
ODDEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
Bodyboarding champ Shawbaz Soaia checked into the Fuel Dock scales to weigh a moi that looked much bigger than the 4-pounds showing on the digital display. Though the weight may not impress you, the fish should. Moi are one of the four catches most prized by shore fishermen. The other three, giant trevally, bluefin trevally and bonefish, are much more common. In fact, Shawbaz’s moi is the first we’ve seen at the dock in years.
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), 52.5, Devin Hallingstad, kayak, Aug 13
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), 31, Josh Fulton, kayak. July 31.
O`io (bonefish), (vacant)
Beasts of the week (marlin weighing 500 pounds or more, including R for releases).
None reported
Released:
Nov 2: Blue marlin (250) Ken Johnson, Capt. Tony Clark, Ihu Nui II
Nov 3: Blue marlin (400) Derrick Linman, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
Nov 4: Blue marlin (200) Capt. Tony Clark, Ihu Nui II
Nov 4: Blue marlin (250) Suzanne Gustavson, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
Nov 4: Blue marlin (150) Justin Maio, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, Hooked Up
Nov 5: Blue marlin (150) Peter Ingram, Capt. Mcgrew Rice, Ihu Nui II
Weighed:
Oct 31: Mahimahi (37.5) Kimbo Boeringa and Bruce Coelho, Kona Buzz
Nov 2: Moi (4) Shawbaz Soaia, Shoreline
Nov 2: Blue marlin (120), ahi (100), mahimahi (30) John Bennett, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit II
Nov 3: Blue marlin (406.5) Capt. Tony Clark, Ihu Nui II
Nov 4: Spearfish (45) Mark Dunkerldy, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
Nov 5: Sailfish (79.5) Josh Fulton, Kayak