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): 51, Kevin Shiraki, Grady-White, May 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): 31, Victor Haanio, kayak, May 6
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
May 7: Blue marlin (125) Elsa Chavez, Capt. Chris Cawthon, Ohana
May 7: Striped marlin (60 and 65) Joe and Peggy Exendine, Capt. Trevor Child, High Noon
May 8: Blue marlin (200) Unknown, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Game Plan
May 8: Blue marlin (500) Todd Wagner, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
May 9: Blue marlin (350) Joe Franco, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
May 9: Spearfish (35) Unknown, Capt. Trevor Child, HIgh Noon
NOTABLE CATCHES
May 4: Ahi (188) Tyler Cran, Ryan Magallanes, Kona Pearl I
May 5: Ono (51) Dorion Diegel, Capt. Matthew Bolton, Kahele
May 5: Ono (20 and 20) Unknown, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
May 5: Mahimahi (5 fish to 25 pounds) John Elkjer, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
May 5: Ahi (150.5) Jim Rife, Capt. Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed
May 5: Ahi (110) Ian Keinath, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance
May 6: Uku (31) Victor Haanio, Kayak
May 6: Ono (35) Patrick Downs, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
May 6: Ono (4 fish to 36 pounds) Austin Kilkenny, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
May 7: Ahi (132) Judi McCarthy, Capt. Rob McCarthy, Lightspeed
May 7: Blue marlin (259.5) Alan and Duke Kiriu, Yukiko
May 7: Ahi (110) Sally Kameron, Capt. Russ NItta, Lepika
May 7: Ono (22, 28 and 34) Unknown, Capt. Boyd DeCoito, Foxy Lady
May 8: Ahi 128, 140.5, and 170.5, Jessica and Neal Cain, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
May 9: Ono (35.5) Jeff Feger, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
May 9: Blue marlin (483) Dustin Ogata, Capt. Ryan O’Halleran, Rita Marie
May 10: Ahi (144) Todd Hamerick, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
May 10: Ahi (143.5) Boyang Chang, Capt. Sam Choy, Monkey Biz II