Your Kona Fishing EXPERIENCE

Deep Sea Fishing in the Billfish Capital of the World

Welcome Aboard

KONA'S PREMIER FISHING CHARTERS

Pull into Honokohau Harbor and you are minutes from some of the best deep sea fishing anywhere. The Kona Coast drops into deep blue water just offshore, making this one of Hawaii's premier destinations for Big Island deep sea fishing. Blue marlin, mahi mahi, ono, and tuna all roam out here, and Captain John has spent decades learning where they hold and when.


That last part matters more than most visitors expect. The fishing shifts with the season, the water temperature, and what the bait is doing. Some months the striped marlin show up thick. Others it is all blue marlin and tuna. The calendar further down lays out what tends to bite when, so you can plan your trip around the fish you most want to chase. Not sure how to read it? Just ask. Knowing the season is half of what a good captain does.


We run private charters for every kind of angler, whether it is your first time holding a rod or your hundredth tournament. The boat, the gear, and the local knowledge are handled. You focus on the fishing. And we will be straight with you: no honest captain can promise a fish, but we can promise we will work hard to give you the best shot the day allows.

What's On Board

Everything you need is already rigged and ready. You bring yourself, we handle the rest.

A man is sitting on the back of a boat fishing in the ocean.
A white boat is floating on top of a body of water.

Gear Up for Success


  • Quality Gear: Quality rods, reels, and tackle, including 130 class Shimano reels built for big fish.
  • Your Captain: Captain John's decades in Kona waters guide every call, from the grounds you fish to the techniques that fit the day.
  • Your First Mate: A skilled first mate is right beside you from the first drop to the last fish in the boat.

Essential Fishing TOOLS


  • Rods and Outriggers: High performance rods and outriggers to run more lines and cover more water.
  • Fighting Chair: A professional fighting chair for when something serious eats and the real work starts.
  • GPS and Fish Finder: We read the water and stay on the productive ground.
  • Live Bait: Live bait whenever conditions allow, which can be the difference on a slow day.


Two men are standing on a dock holding a fish and one has a shirt that says 1978

4 Hour Fishing Charter

A man is holding a large fish on a boat in the ocean.

6 Hour Fishing Charter

A group of people standing next to a large fish on a dock.

8 Hour Fishing Charter

FishingBooker

Settle In for the Ride

Our 32 foot Topaz is built for comfort and for fishing. There is room to spread out, shade when you want it, a clean head on board, and air conditioning in the cabin when the sun climbs. Between bites you have a front row seat to the Kona Coast, and from December into spring you will likely share the water with humpback whales.

Meet Our Captain and Boat


A group of people are fishing on a boat.
Three fishing rods are sitting on the side of a boat in the ocean.
A large white boat is docked in a marina.

Kona Fishing Seasons:
The Best Time to Fish

Kona fishes year round. There is no closed season and no bad month, just different fish moving through at different times. Summer, June into September, is prime blue marlin season and the big tuna run thick. Winter leans toward striped marlin and spearfish, with calm seas and humpback whales for company. Mahi mahi and ono fill the shoulder months and show up much of the year.



No one can guarantee a fish. That is just honest fishing. But knowing the seasonal patterns helps you pick the right month and set the right expectations. Here is a general guide to what is biting when in Kona waters.

FISH SPECIES BEST MONTHS GOOD MONTHS FAIR MONTHS
Blue Marlin June - September May, October November - April
Striped Marlin December - March November, April May - October
Shortbill Spearfish January - March April, December May - November
Bigeye Tuna January - April May, December June - November
Skipjack Tuna May - September April, October November - March
Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) June - September May, October November - April
Wahoo (Ono) May - September April, October November - March
Mahi Mahi (Dorado) March - May February, June July - January

Kona Fishing Calendar

Want the month by month breakdown? Here is what each month tends to offer in Kona, from what is biting to the weather and water temperature, plus a tip or two from the captain.

black marlin in the water

January in Kona

January is one of the calmest, most comfortable months on the water, with mild trade winds and water in the mid 70s. It is peak time for the winter billfish.


Biting now. 

Best: Striped Marlin, Shortbill Spearfish. 

Good: Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi. 

Fair: Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Ono.


On the water. Calm seas, sunny days, and humpback whale season in full swing between bites.


Captain's tip. Bait tends to stack along the 1,000 fathom ledge, which pulls in bigger predators. Striped marlin and spearfish work the temperature breaks, and January is no slouch for a giant either. A 950 pound blue came aboard in January 2023.

stripped marlin swimming

February in Kona

February keeps the calm winter pattern going, sunny and mild with water in the mid 70s. The striped marlin bite hits its stride.


Biting now. 

Best: Striped Marlin, Shortbill Spearfish.

Good: Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna. 

Fair: Bigeye Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Ono, Mahi Mahi.


On the water. Calm seas and steady whale sightings, with smaller crowds before the spring break rush.


Captain's tip. Striped marlin often work the surface this month, so the action can be visible from a distance. Live bait still tempts the occasional winter blue. A 700 pound blue was landed in February 2023.

striped marlin in water

March in Kona

March is a transition month. The water warms into the high 70s and the blue marlin start building toward their summer run while the winter billfish stay strong.


Biting now. 

Best: Shortbill Spearfish, Striped Marlin. Good: Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna. 

Fair: Bigeye Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Ono, Mahi Mahi.


On the water. Mostly sunny with the odd light shower. Whale season is winding down but you can still catch sightings.


Captain's tip. Warming water lights up the temperature breaks and current edges, which is where the spearfish and striped marlin gang up. Early season ono start showing on high speed lures toward month's end.


airborne giant black marlin

April in Kona

April is peak spring fishing. Calm seas, water into the low 80s, and a wide mix of species active.


Biting now. 

Best: Shortbill Spearfish, Striped Marlin.

Good: Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi. 

Fair: Ono, Bigeye Tuna, Skipjack Tuna.


On the water. Ideal conditions, and the Kona Billfish Tournament kicks off early in the month.


Captain's tip. Watch for birds working bait, which makes for exciting sight fishing on mahi mahi and billfish. Live bait gets the warming blues going. April has produced blues over 600 pounds in recent years.

mahi mahi jumping

May in Kona

May is the true start of summer. Warm water in the low 80s, more bait, and more predators chasing it.


Biting now.

Best: Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna. 

Good: Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Ono. 

Fair: Shortbill Spearfish, Bigeye Tuna, Skipjack Tuna.


On the water. Steady trade winds and warm, lively water. Ono enter their peak.


Captain's tip. Bait pushes close to shore and the blues get aggressive. High speed lures along current edges are the play for ono. This is a popular month, so book ahead. Blues over 700 pounds have come in during May.

marlin on the hook

June in Kona

June is the heart of summer and the start of prime marlin season. Stable weather, warm water in the low 80s.


Biting now. 

Best: Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi. 

Good: Yellowfin Tuna, Ono. 

Fair: Striped Marlin, Shortbill Spearfish.


On the water. Smooth conditions and the Kona International Fishing Tournament toward the end of the month.


Captain's tip. Fish the change of light, early and late, when the big blues feed near the surface. The deep ledges and seamounts concentrate bait. June has given up blues over 800 pounds.

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yellowfin tuna swimming

July in Kona

July is the peak of the season. Mild trades, water around 80 degrees, and visibility that can top 100 feet.


Biting now. 

Best: Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna. 

Good: Mahi Mahi, Ono. 

Fair: Striped Marlin, Bigeye Tuna.


On the water. Prime everything, with tournament energy around the harbor.


Captain's tip. Dawn and dusk are the windows for big blues, worked around the deep ledges. Slow trolling live bait is the move for larger ahi. July has produced blues over 1,000 pounds and ahi over 200.

a yellowfin tuna swimming

August in Kona

August holds the peak with some of the calmest seas of the year and water near 82 degrees.


Biting now. 

Best: Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna. 

Good: Mahi Mahi, Ono. 

Fair: Striped Marlin, Bigeye Tuna.


On the water. Long, glassy days and the historic Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.


Captain's tip. This is the month for the year's biggest ahi. Chunking or slow trolling live bait around the drop offs at first and last light is hard to beat. Blues over 900 pounds have come aboard in August.

wahoo fish in water

September in Kona

September is a transition into fall. Water eases into the upper 70s and the mix of species gets interesting.


Biting now. 

Best: Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi. 

Good: Yellowfin Tuna, Ono. 

Fair: Striped Marlin, Bigeye Tuna.


On the water. Still warm and productive, with thinner crowds as the season slows.


Captain's tip. Cooling water sharpens the temperature breaks. As the trades pick up, kite fishing comes into play for surface feeders. September still kicks out blues over 800 pounds.

wahoo on hook

October in Kona

October brings the real start of fall, slightly cooler with water back in the mid 70s and a strong ono bite.


Biting now. 

Best: Ono, Yellowfin Tuna. 

Good: Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi. 

Fair: Striped Marlin, Bigeye Tuna.


On the water. Comfortable conditions and noticeably fewer boats.


Captain's tip. High speed lures along current edges are the ticket for ono, which are at their peak. Live bait still tempts a late season blue. Ono over 100 pounds have come in this month.

mahi mahi on hook

November in Kona

November settles into fall, with cooler water in the mid 70s and calmer, quieter water overall.


Biting now. 

Best: Ono, Mahi Mahi. 

Good: Yellowfin Tuna, Blue Marlin. 

Fair: Striped Marlin, Bigeye Tuna.


On the water. Calm seas and an intimate feel with fewer charters around.


Captain's tip. Work the temperature breaks for ono and tuna. Striped marlin start showing more often as the water cools. Late season blues over 600 pounds are still on the board.

striped marlin in water

December in Kona

December opens winter with cooler air, water in the mid 70s, and the return of the winter billfish.


Biting now. 

Best: Striped Marlin, Shortbill Spearfish.

Good: Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi. 

Fair: Yellowfin Tuna, Bigeye Tuna, Ono.


On the water. Calm mornings, the odd choppy afternoon, and the first humpback whales arriving.


Captain's tip. Get an early start for the best conditions and target the ledges where striped marlin and spearfish gather. The holidays still produce, with the occasional blue over 500 pounds.

Come Fish Kona With Us

Whatever month you visit, we read the day and put you on the best bite it offers. Pick the 4, 6, or 8 hour charter that fits your time, grab your dates and we will see you at the dock.