Hawaii big island fishing?

[mainbutter]

The scoop: I'm getting hitched in late June, and immediately headed to the big island! We're dipping pretty heavy into the little funds we have to make a magical trip happen, but we're only getting married once (insert jokes here).

Any recommendations for a guide to go fishing with? Any tips on what KIND of fishing we'd enjoy the most?

- I know I don't want to troll for billfish all day.

- I'd rather catch multiple 20lb fish than one big one.

- Having some yellowfin tuna to eat would be the best thing ever.

I'm very grateful for any tips you can send my way!

[Ufatz]

You would be well advised to concentrate on enjoying your honeymoon rather than worry about fishing. ANY fishing you do on the big island, or anywhere in HI is going to cost from several hundred to a thousand dollars a day. Unless you can find some kind of party boat and that likely would be out of Maui someplace.Kona of Lahaina would be your most likely bases.

Enjoy the honeymoon. Fish at home for a few years and then check out fishing in HI.

[mainbutter]

Except, that's what the soon-to-be wife wants to do

My budget is ~$750 for a day, some wiggle room.

[Down Deep]

I've been to the Big Island many times. I've used High Noon and Hooked Up Charters who both did a great job. There is a charter dock in Kona that has lots of charter boat and I'm fairly sure they all do a good job because the competition is fierce. For $750 you should be able to get a boat for an 8 hour trip. I've chased Marlin and had a few multi-trips for smaller species. I enjoyed the multi-trips the best. Marlin was more like deer hunting although it had a good payoff. I would call right now and reserve a day because Kona is worldwide market and the boats are busy. I've never fished the Hilo side.

The Big Island has lots of other activities to enjoy. There are reefs that provide great drive to snorkeling. If you are into scuba check our night dives for Manta Rays and the Pelagic. Manna Kea telescopes is a great day trip. Volcano National Park is must see and be sure to go early and plan to spend the whole day as there is more there than a fiery hole in the ground. Kona has some excellent restaurants and shops, but it is a cruise ship and tourist town and pricy. Kona is surrounded by lava flows and isn't the tropical paradise you may be expecting. You will need to move south down to the coast and east shore for that. The best beaches are north of Kona. Lots of great hikes and historical sites.

My recommendation is that if you are staying at a resort head out and explore the local flavor of the island. The small local towns south of Kona are much more interesting and offer more than the artificial environment the resorts and Kona offer.

The best travel book is "Hawaii - The Big Island Revealed" by Andrew Doug

[Ufatz]

Down deep has some good points about the big island. Kona is the "hot spot" for fishing activity, but there is much more to do on the island. Get a car and spend a day going around...South Point...etc and up to Hilo..Parker Ranch. You can use your $750 for one day of boat fishing or spend it on a bunch of other things.

You gotta be prepared to spend some money for a decent shot at a good marlin.Down Deep apparently has been there and knows the drill.

[mainbutter]

I should say, I have budgeted $750 for fishing alone!

We will have a vehicle the entire time, are staying 7 nights at a place 40ish minutes north of Kona, 2 nights in the volcano park.

Any idea if there is a snorkeling option for nighttime mantas? We are too busy to get Beth PADI certified, and I haven't been diving in years and probably could use a refresher.

I'll look up the two mentioned charters, really appreciate all the tips! We want to pack as much adventure into our vacation as possible.

[delcecchi]

Do they do "makeup charters" in Hawaii? Typically a charter is up to like 6 folks. Sometimes the charter guys will put together a group to take a boat out. Check with whoever does the booking to see if they do that.

[Down Deep]

I've fished as a single twice with the same charter company. Prior to my first trip I called to inquire about two or a single. The company told me they would work on it. I had to be flexible on my day and there were no guarantees. One boat had a group of 3 and two singles. We had to pay the full rate divided by 5. So I'm fairly sure once you tell them you have less than the usual 6 they work on it. I know the dive companies do it.

By the way the mixed group charter was a great experience. We not only fished that day, but we all got together along with our SO's that evening for some grilled fish.

By the way the book I recommended above is written by "Andrew Doughty" not Doug.

[Cheetah]

On a limited budget I would explore shore fishing opportunities.

[mntraveler]

I've done fishing out of Honokahau Harbor twice in the last couple years. Jeff Rogers once and Top Shape once. Far and away I would go with Top Shape. They are a little above your price point but well worth it. Both times were trolling for billfish/etc. and from what I saw, on that side of the island, that is what most folks do. I asked several people about shore fishing and they said it wasn't worth my time on the Big Island.

Again, Top Shape is a top-notch group and you will be extremely comfortable and if you are lucky enough to hook up with anything they will treat you right.

HAVE FUN!

PS, as others echoed, get out and see the rest of the island, there are not many places in the world you can see so many biomes in such a short distance....just be aware that driving across the island is a REALLY LONG way, it's not a leisurely trek if you want to see any of the Volcano National Park or waterfalls along the way in a single day. Good call on a couple nights in Volcano, just be sure to pack some warm clothes.

[Down Deep]

Any idea if there is a snorkeling option for nighttime mantas? We are too busy to get Beth PADI certified, and I haven't been diving in years and probably could use a refresher

There are several snorkeling outfits that offer snorkeling for the mantas. While the dive is much more exciting the manta snorkeling trip is fun and something you won't find in many places. The area they go to is just off shore of Kona. The boats have rings with lights that attract plankton which draws in the mantas. Some people hang on to the rings and others use float devices. If you have a dive spot light bring it with you and you can swim to the edge of the group and attract your own mantas.

A must do day trip is to the reef located off of the "two step" near Honaunau just south of Captain Cook. Head down the hill to Puuhonuo O Honauau which is a historic site and worth a two hour visit. You can walk to the "two step" beach but more accurately described its a lava shelf. It gets its name because of the entry point which steps down to the water. Watch where people are getting in and out to locate it. Good snorkeling all around the bay and many kinds of fish. I always like to go to the left and follow the shoreline. Also, the deeper part of the bay has spinner dolphins and they are not shy. They will cruise right next to you. Tip. Don't chase them or they will deep six head to another area of the bay. If the dolphins are cruising you will usually see other swimmers further out so swim to them and wait. On the way back to your hotel stop by the Painted Church which is a Catholic Church a couple miles up the hill. You will never see anything like it anywhere else . It is worth an hour of your time. Bring the camera inside.

MNTRAVELER makes a good point about warm clothing at the volcano. Bring a pair of jean, your hoody and a rain jacket. Last year we stopped by the volcano to hike a trail. Temp at the volcano was 54 degrees and rain. After hiking we went to the ocean front to look at the pictographs where the temp was 90. 5 or 6 miles away by the Chain of Craters Rd. The trail that winds through the steam vents is short by worthwhile. If you go to the Mauna Kea telescopes, it is coat and hat weather up there.

If you have a GoPRO bring it along for the snorkeling.