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: 227.5, Kim Gardner, Capt. Ruben Rubio, Vixen, May 15
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): 56, Ryan Cintick, Capt. Jeff Rogers, Aloha Kai, May 16
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
May 13: Blue marlin (827.5) John McBride, Capt. Rob Ellyn, Lightspeed
May 14: Blue marlin (692.5) Capt. Nate Cary, Melita
May 15: Blue marlin (523.5) Boyang Zhang, Capt. Sam Choy, Monkey Biz II
TAG AND RELEASE
May 12: Blue marlin (850) Heather Sill, Capt. Bradley Demasco, Bite Me 2
May 12: Spearfish (25) Leanne Reynolds, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
May 13: Blue marlin (425), spearfish (25 and 35) Elfriede Crawford, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
May 14: Blue marlin (200) Unknown, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Sea Genie II
May 14: Spearfish (25) Jennifer Rose, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
May 15: Striped marlin (60) Buck Lewis, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
May 15: Spearfish (25) Patricia Nonnen, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
May 16: Striped marlin (50) Unknown, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
May 17: Blue marlin (400) Bob Struwe, Capt. Lance Gelman, Medusa
NOTABLE CATCHES
May 11: Spearfish (28) Doug MacAfee, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
May 13: Mahimahi (8 fish to 20 pounds) Cody Burnhart, Capt. Tim Hicks, Illusions
May 13: Ono (30) Scott Enhoff, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
May 13: Ahi (120) Unknown, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner
May 14: Ahi (122.5) Chick Eames, Capt. Chuck Haupert, Catchem I
May 14: Ono (14 fish to 38 pounds) Meaghan Heffernan and Brenda Bagwell, Capt. John Bagwell, Silky
May 15: Spearfish (41) Ron Reisner, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
May 15: Ahi (227.5) Kim Gardner, Capt. Ruben Rubio, Vixen
May 16: Ahi (110) Unknown, Capt. Brett Fay, Humdinger
May 16: Ahi (170) Steve Machesky, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier
May 16: Spearfish (43) James Woodruff, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
May 16: Kahala (56) Ryan Cintick, Capt. Jeff Rogers, Aloha Kai
May 17: Blue marlin (118.5) Josh Bryan, Capt. Bomboy Llanes, Lana Kila
May 17: Ahi (128.5) Gina and Greg Low, Walea Kai