The 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; and 50, Jack Samson, Capt. Dave Unger, Nasty Habit, April 20
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, and 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
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 23: Blue marlin (909) Scott Nichols, Capt. Chip Van Mols, Luna
April 26: Blue marlin (563) Hank Rolfs, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
TAG AND RELEASE
April 20: Blue marlin (550) Dick Russell, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
April 21: Blue marlin (350) Unknown, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern Lights
April 22: Blue marlin (375) Henrich Dejongh, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
April 23: Blue marlin (300) Brad Rieland, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
April 24: Blue marlin (400) Gesia Stavlewski, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
April 24: Blue marlin (180) Unknown, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern Lights
April 24: Blue marlin (400) Unknown, Capt. Jeff Fay, Humdinger
April 25: Spearfish (30) Shane Walker, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
April 25: Spearfish (40) Ron Witt, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
April 26: Spearfish (15) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
NOTABLE CATCHES
April 20: Spearfish (35) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herre, Raptor
April 21: Ahi (160) Jon Boucher, Capt. Billy Ross, Malia Anne
April 21: Ahi (122.5) Craig Hanson, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
April 21: Ahi (160.5) Hank Rolfs, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
April 21: Ahi (150) Unknown, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern Lights
April 22: Ulua (67.5) Ikaika Simpliciano, ulua (62.5) Barron Kepoo, aha (10.5) Barron Kepoo, all speared
April 23: Mahimahi (25 and 25) Bill Williams, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
April 23: Ahi (88.5 and 90) Dave and Ben Ebenhoe, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance
April 24: Spearfish (40) Unknown, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern LIghts
April 24: Mahimahi (5 fish to 26 pounds) Scott Sager, Capt. Mike O’Toole, Hula Girl
April 26: Ono (20 and 20) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
April 26: Ono (25) Scott Sterns, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
April 26: Mahimahi (25, 35 and 40) Lon Levitt, Mike Levitt and Ken Millard, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape