This 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 2014 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 2014 by Jim Rizzuto). If we have overlooked you, give us a call (885-4208) or send an email (rizzuto@aloha.net).
Blue marlin: 1,211, Robert Steffens, Capt. David Unger, Nasty Habit. March 27
Black marlin: 161, Scott Wnuck, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier. Jan. 10
Ahi: 220.5, Brett Lockard, Capt. Matt Bowman, Northern Lights. April 9
Bigeye tuna: 108, Matthew Bolton, Kehele. Jan 16
Striped marlin: 114.5, John Dieckman, Capt. Tobin Hudgins, Silky. April 16
Spearfish: 49.5, Gwen Stutheit, Capt. Don Stutheit, Kona Spirit. Feb. 26
Sailfish: 105.5, Peter Blake, TLC 2. Jan. 25
Mahimahi: 47, Doug Olson, Capt. Bomboy Llanes, Lana Kila. Jan. 26
Ono: 75, Keith Olson, Capt. Kenny Llanes, Vixen. Feb. 13
Kaku (barracuda): 21, Sarah Murphy, Lena Kai, Feb. 6
Kahala (amberjack): vacant
Ulua (giant trevally): 100.5 (tie). Mitchell Izuno, Shoreline. Jan. 19. Michael Ragas, Capt. Jeff Rogers, Aloha Kai. April 18.
Omilu (bluefin trevally): 14.6, Bruce Lentz, Shoreline. April 16.
Aku (skipjack tuna): 28, Betsy Wheeler, Capt. Chad Contessa, Bite Me I. Feb. 28
Broadbill swordfish: vacant
Ahipalaha (albacore): vacant
Kawakawa: 21, Mark Andrews, Donna Mae. Jan 10
Kamanu (rainbow runner): 16, Shawn Zenor, kayak. Jan. 9
Opakapaka (pink snapper): vacant
Onaga (ulaula koaie): vacant
Uku (gray snapper): vacant
c Oio (bonefish): 10, Brandon Lopes, Shoreline, Feb. 16
Catch report
Catch information courtesy of Shawna Haynes of the charter desk at Kona Marina (329-5735).
If you catch a fish on rod and reel in West Hawaii waters bigger than one on the list, take it to the fuel dock to be weighed and recorded.
If you weighed it somewhere else, call me at 885-4208 and leave a message. A complete list of June billfish catches will be in the August issue of Hawaii Fishing News.
Beasts of the week
Marlin weighing 500 pounds or more
April 15: Blue marlin (524.5) Chris Olson, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
Tag and release
April 13: Blue marlin (450) Bo Godfrey, Capt. Shane O’Brien, Strong Persuader
April 13: Blue marlin (450) Unknown, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern Lights
April 14: Spearfish (25) James Sweeney, (28) Peter Egley, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Sea Genie II
April 14: Spearfish (45) Joe Walker, Capt. Sam Choy, Salty Dog
April 15: Spearfish (30) John Davidson, (30) Peter Egley, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Sea Genie II
April 16: Blue marlin (125) Unknown, Capt. Jeff Metzler, Anxious
April 18: Blue marlin (450) Daron Castoro, Capt. Chris Bays, Raven
April 18: Blue marlin (450) Lance Westing, Capt. John Wilson, Lawaia
April 18: Spearfish (30) James Chen, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Sea Genie II
April 19: Blue marlin (500) Ron Buraglia, Capt. Steve Deboer, Therapy
Notable catches
April 13: Ono (59) Kalani Aipia, Small Kine
April 13: Mahimahi (25) Stretch Fogarty, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
April 13: Spearfish (35) Lonnie Carlson, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
April 13: Mahimahi (18 and 30) John Patterson, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
April 14: Omilu (23) Kanoa Llanes, Speared
April 14: Spearfish (32 and 44) John Patterson, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
April 15: Blue marlin (422.5) Patrick McKinnon, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
April 15: Bigeye tuna (8 fish from 73 to 100 pounds) Cross/Cash/Rigsby, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
April 15: Spearfish (32) Davin Isakson, Capt. Tim Hicks, Illusions
April 15: Spearfish (30) Arthur Mosgofian, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
April 15: Ahi (100) John Patterson, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
April 15: Bigeye tuna (56 and 56) Jeff Alberts/Garrett Nishihara, Speared
April 16: Ahi (135.5) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
April 16: Striped marlin (114.5) John Dieckman, mahimahi (12, 16 and 18) John/Angela Dieckman, Capt. Tobin Hudgins, Silky
April 16: Spearfish (25) Parke Beroltzheimer, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
April 16: Spearfish (30) Unknown, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
April 16: Ahi (103, 138, and 142.5) Todd Kelly, Capt. Russ NItta, Lepika
April 17: Spearfish (29.5) Shawna Haynes, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier
April 17: Mahimahi (22) Aaron Mindell, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
April 17: Ahi (154) Rick DaCoffee, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
April 18: Blue marlin (360) Phill Uphold, Capt. Jeff Heintz, LInda Sue III
April 18: Ulua (100.5) Michael Ragas, Capt. Jeff Rogers, Aloha Kai
April 18: Blue marlin (410) Teri Topping, Capt. Tobin Hudgins, Silky
April 19: Mahimahi (25 and 25) Jerry/Crystal Gray, Capt. Dennis Cintas, Tropical Sun