Oahu, Hawaii Deep Sea Fishing Charters - Haleiwa - North Shore
66-195 Kaamooloa Road
Waialua, Hawaii 96791 (808) 637-5783 fishing@kuuloakai.com
Charter Fishing Hawaii
Your Hawaii fishing charter starts with an early morning boarding. We prefer you board the charter fishing boat at 4 AM. The 1st mate, Scot will help you stow your gear. Captain Rusty will explain fishing boat operation and safety precautions. We like to depart the harbor before daylight, our motto — the early fisherman catches the fish.
The fishing starts just outside the harbor. A trolling menu is selected and five lines are set. We generally proceed to one of the buoys. The trip will take 1 to 2 hours. It is not infrequent for hungry fish to interrupt the journey.
Pelagic game fish, such as Blue Marlin, Wahoo (ono), Dolphin Fish (mahi-mahi) Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) and Skipjack Tuna (Aku) tend to prefer areas where the water is deeper. They will range from the surface to about 100 fathoms.
The rule of thumb is the deeper the water the bigger the fish. Yet monster fish have been caught just out side the harbor, so it is just a rule of thumb.
Hawaii "deep sea fishing" centers around floaters and Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs). "Floaters" is the term fishermen call flotsam. They act as nurseries for many pelagic species. Where there is food you will find big predators. FADs act as virtual floaters creating this food chain.
Deep Sea Fishing Hawaii
Our goal is to be the first to make a pass at the Fish Aggregation Devices (FAD). The State of Hawaii has placed FADs in the waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands. These buoys attract schools of tuna and other important pelagic fishes, such as dolphinfish (Mahimahi), wahoo (Ono), and billfish.
Unlike, the Honolulu side where the nearest FAD is 16.7 miles. We have 3 buoys to chose from. Being on the windward side has the added benefit of floaters blown our way by the winds. Floaters attract fish. This is where the concept of FADs orginated. Finally, game fish seem to like the rougher water.
Pelagic fishes tend to aggregate to floating objects. Researchers have found that anchoring a buoy or platform in the open ocean will also attract and hold pelagic fishes.
Marlin Fishing Hawaii
At the buoys, we break out light tackle, 50-lb test, and jig for Skipjack Tuna (Aku) and Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi).
The small lively Aku are bridled up for live bait fishing on the outriggers, for any hungry marlin lurking in the area looking for an easy breakfast. Blue Marlin feast on tuna and we are happy to oblige.
We continue to jig for Aku, Ahi and Dolphin Fish (Mahi-mahi) or cut some Aku for chum and bait on the light tackle, hoping nothing too big grabs the bait and breaks the line. We prefer the big ones take the bait on the outriggers.
When everyone is tired of reeling or the bite is slow, the captain may decide to go hunting for open schools of fish. They are located by looking for excited birds congregated in one spot or finding floating debris that harbor smaller fish that attract the larger game fish.
The tuna tower gives the deckhand a better view to spot these potential opportunities. The fishing does not stop on the return trip, as you never know when fish may be attracted to the lures.
