Biggest blue marlin of the year, first black marlin of 2017, longest marlin “fight” in many months, most spearfish on a single trip, strangest catch on a lure — these unusual stories headline another special week of Kona fishing.
The year’s biggest blue started the week off when Capt. Guy Terwilliger switched places with friend Cindy Cary to fish on Cindy’s skiff Cindy Lou. Some small boats do better towing a live bait rather than trolling lures. That may or may not be the case with the Cindy Lou, but a live bait definitely worked this time. A 925-pound blue wolfed it down.
Cindy took the helm (it is her boat) and turned the rod-and reel over to Guy. After a 2-1/2 hour fight, they got the giant fish to the boat and towed it back to port. After the Charter Desk staff weighed it, the fish handlers opened the belly and found a 20 pound-spearfish inside. In case you were asking, the catch-within-the-catch counts toward the official weight. more
Meanwhile off Milolii
Meanwhile, many miles down the coastline, Ryan Lutes and Mark Schubert were doing battle with the second biggest marlin hooked last week. Both men are charter captains and were exploring new territory between days working on their own boats. As they trolled off Milolii, a 622-pound blue crashed a lure made in Kona by Eric Koyanagi. More
ODDEST CATCH OF THE WEEK
On Thursday, Bill Jardine hosted the Payne family for a fishing day aboard his classic fishing vessel Nalu Kea. The Paynes and their kids, Max and Cody, are visiting from their home in Atlanta. Young Max, 10, had already placed his order for the day. Max wanted to catch a shark. And it had to be bigger than Cody’s biggest fish, an ono from a previous trip.
Bill let him down as gently as possible. They would be trolling with lures, which are wonderful for marlin, tuna, mahimahi and ono but are routinely spurned by sharks. Sharks like real food that tastes and smells delicious. One reason Kona anglers troll lures rather than live bait is that sharks don’t like lures. More
Big-Fish List for 2017.
The list recognizes the biggest fish caught on rod and reel (except opakapaka and onaga, for which we’ll accept handline catches) in West Hawaii waters for 2017 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 2017 by Jim Rizzuto). If we have overlooked you, give us a call (885-4208) or send an e-mail ([email protected]).
Blue marlin, 925, Guy Terwilliger, Capt. Cindy Cary, Cindy Lu. Apr. 2
Black marlin, 357, Todd Nakatani, Keola Toriano, Breezin. Apr 6.
Ahi, 191, Keri Clavin, Capt. Brad Damasco, Bite Me 6. Jan 15.
Bigeye tuna, 121.5, Kelsey Bestall, Capt. Jah Nogues, High Noon. Jan 14
Striped marlin, 107, David Benson, Capt. Kevin Hiney, Kuuipo. Mar 31
Spearfish, 56, Mac Jorgensen, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl. Mar 13.
Sailfish, 93, Justin Kaber, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner, Mar. 25.
Mahimahi, 46.5, Brita Campbell, Capt. Bob Beach, Reel Screamer. Mar 2.
Ono, 75.5, Jason Wong, Donny Kobayashi, No Name. Mar. 22.
Kaku, (barracuda), 39, Chad Culbertson, Capt. Jeff Rogers, Aloha Kai. Jan 23
Kahala, vacant
Ulua (giant trevally), vacant
Omilu (bluefin trevally), vacant
Otaru (skipjack tuna), 24, Marie Hulletel, Capt Kevin Hiney, Ku`uipo. Feb 10.
Broadbill swordfish, vacant
Ahipalaha (albacore), vacant
Kawakawa, 22.5, Britt McCurdy, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Jan 31
Kamanu (rainbow runner), 20.5, Britt McCurdy, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Jan 31
Opakapaka (pink snapper), 14.5, Greg Hong, Kevin Shiraki, Erin Kai. Jan 12.
Onaga (ulaula ko`aie), 21, Greg Hong and Kevin Shiraki, Erin Kai. Mar 6.
Uku (gray snapper), 24.5, Brent Masunaga, Holly Ann 3. Jan 3.
O`io (bonefish), 10.5, Hansen Gardling, shoreline. Mar 30.
Beasts of the week (marlin weighing 500 pounds or more, including R for releases).
Apr 02: Blue marlin (925) Guy Terwilliger, Capt. Cindy Cary, Cindy Lu
Apr 02: Blue marlin (608) Rudolph Wankow, Capt. Reuben Rubio, Sundowner
Apr 04: Blue marlin (600 R) John Eichler, Capt. Joe Schumaker, Fire Hatt
Apr 08: Blue marlin (622) Ryan Lutes, Capt. Mark Schubert, Capt. Jack
Released:
Apr 02: Blue marlin (250) Ashlyn Seenberg, Capt. James Dean, Blue Hawaii
Apr 02: Blue marlin (225) Malissa Peart, spearfish (four fish from 25 to 30) Vicki Pickens, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, EZ Pickens
Apr 03: Blue marlin (250) Derrick, Capt. Rich Young, A`u Struck
Apr 04: Blue marlin (200 and 300) Shawn Slattery, Capt. Rocky Gauron, Hooked Up
Apr 05: Blue marlin (115) Ed Hocking, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
Apr 06: Blue marlin (175) Clint Gorham, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
Apr 06: Blue marlin (150) Nolan Seenberg, Capt. James Dean, Blue Hawaii
Apr 08: Blue marlin (175) Vicky Pickens, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, EZ Pickens
Boated:
Apr 02: Aku (16.5) Asher Kuiken, Capt. Robert Hudson, Camelot
Apr 02: Blue marlin (366.5) Aaron Kaupu, Allan Liftee, Hookela II
Apr 04: Ono (20) Derrick, Capt. Rich Young, A`u Struck
Apr 04: Mahimahi (42) Kyle Scries, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue IV
Apr 05: Ono (25) Lava Mama, Capt. John Bagwell, Silky
Apr 05: Mahimahi (15) unknown, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
Apr 06: Black marlin (357) Todd Nakatani, Keola Toriano, Breezin
Apr 08: Spearfish (41) Andy Bries, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue IV
Apr 08: Spearfish (two fish 25 and 40) Parke Berholtzheimer, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II