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: 212, Devin Hallingstad, kayak, April 26
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
None weighed
TAG AND RELEASE
April 27: Blue marlin (550) Toby Procter, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
April 27: Blue marlin (250) Chris Bays, Raven
April 29: Spearfish (45) Unknown, Capt. Jeff Metzler, Anxious
May 1: Blue marlin (350) Steve Snow, Capt. Jason Holtz, Pursuit
May 3: Spearfish (40) Monty Brown, Larry Peardon, El Jobean
NOTABLE CATCHES
April 27: Striped marlin (40 and 40) Unknown, Capt. Randy Llanes, Sundowner
April 27: Black marlin (212) Devin Hallingstad, Kayak
April 27: Spearfish (40) Brad Procter, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
April 27: Ahi (129.5) Rick Frey, Capt. Bomboy Llanes, Lana Kila
April 28: Blue marlin (84.5) Daryl Bassett, Capt. Howard Whitcomb, Intrepid
April 28: Ono (20 and 25) Unknown, Capt. Howard Whitcomb, Intrepid
April 29: Spearfish (40) Terry Schoft, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
April 30: Mahimahi (20.5) Jennifer Harrell, Capt. Mat Bowen, Northern LIghts
April 30: Mahimahi (4 fish to 20 pounds) Unknown, Capt. Shawn Bebeau, Marlin Grando
April 30: Spearfish (25), ono (15, 15, and 20) Unknown, Capt. Boyd DeCoito, Foxy Lady
April 30: Mahimahi (24 fish to 30 pounds), ono (18, 21, and 22) Rob Hanks, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
April 30: Ono (16, 18, and 45.5) John Wilson, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
May 1: Ono (25) Travis Reid, Capt. Bradley Demasco, Marlin Grando
May 1: Ono (22) Jesse Oliver, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
May 1: Ono (50) Larry Point, Capt. David Crawford, Kona Blue
May 2: Ono (22) Unknown, Capt. Boyd DeCoito, Foxy Lady
May 2: Ono (15 and 20) Unknown, Capt. Chris Kam, Illusions
May 2: Ono (42.5) Unknown, Capt. Sam Choy, Marlin Grando
May 2: Ono (37) David Prager, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
May 3: Thresher Shark (547) Jack Leverone, Capt. Mitch Lattof, Salty Dog
May 3: Ono (15 and 20) Lisa and Peter Bionogi, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
May 3: Ono (15, 18, 30.5) Pomaikai Nahuina, David Nahuina, Keiki Auana
May 3: Ahi (148.5) John Sakai, Paul Cantor, SIlver Star
May 3: Blue marlin (410.5) Alexander Silva, Capt. James Dean, Blue Hawaii
May 3: Blue marlin (103) Monty Brown, Larry Peardon, El Jobean