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): 28.5, Lokahi and Kalani Aipia, Small Kine, May 22
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 18: Blue marlin (150) Bob Struey, spearfish (25) Steve Keinath, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance
May 19: Blue marlin (150) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
May 21: Blue marlin (135) Unknown, Capt. Jeff Metzler, Anxious
May 23: Spearfish (35) Unknown, Capt. David Crawford, Kona Blue
May 24: Blue marlin (300) Unknown, Capt. Chip Van Mols, Luna
NOTABLE CATCHES
May 19: Ahi (96, 106, and 149) Yukio Hamaguchi, Capt. Bomboy Llanes, Lana Kila
May 19: Ahi (90), ono (14 fish to 30 pounds) Clay Lawrence, Capt. David Crawford, Kona Blue
May 19: Ahi (112) Jasen Doi, Neil Matsuo, Miss Stacie
May 19: Blue marlin (352) Kelli Williamson, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
May 19: Ono (40), spearfish (28 and 32) Unknown, Capt. Kevin HIbbard, Jr’s Hooker
May 20: Blue marlin (116) Rocky Jolley, Capt. Howard Whitcomb, Intrepid
May 20: Spearfish (35) Patrick Stevens, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
May 20: Mahimahi (11 fish to 20 pounds) Bob Struey, Steve Keinath, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance
May 20: Mahimahi (25) Dennis Shipp, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
May 21: Blue marlin (137.5) David Thrush, Capt. Randy Llanes, Sundowner
May 21: Spearfish (35) Luke Snyder, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
May 21: Ono (25) Unknown, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
May 22: Kamanu (28.5) Lokahi and Kalani Aipia, Small Kine
May 22: Ahi (125) Shawna Haynes, ono (22) Lauren Terwilliger, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier
May 24: Ono (25 and 30) Unknown, Capt. Howard Whitcomb, Intrepid
May 24: Ahi (118 and 161.5) Jordan Kilkenny and Ryan Sillery, Capt. Nate Cary, Hula Girl
May 24: Mahimahi (25) Unknown, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
May 24: Ono (25) Alex Buratto, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt