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 27
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 Sampson, Capt. Dave Unger, Nasty Habit, April 20
Sailfish: 105.5, Peter Blake, TLC 2, Jan. 25
Mahimahi: 56.5, Mike Accattato, Capt. Sam Choy, Monkey Biz II, June 20
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, 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
Otaru (skipjack tuna): 28, Betsy Wheeller, Capt. Chad Contessa, Bite Me I, Feb. 28
Broadbill swordfish: 160, Michelle Amador, Capt. Mitch Latoff, Salty Dog, July 19
Ahipalaha (albacore): 36, Duncan Severance, Capt. Robert Beach, Reel Screamer, May 30
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): 16.5, Charlie Bowman, Capt. Kerwin Masunaga, Rod Bender, May 4
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
July 20: Blue marlin (536) Shawn Takaki, Capt. Kenny Llanes, Vixen
July 20: Blue marlin (531) Michael LaVance/Cameron McMahill, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
July 21: Blue marlin (642.5) Graham Krieg, Capt. Chris Cawthon, Ohana
July 26: Blue marlin (559.5) Cheri Fogarty, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
Tag and release
July 20: Blue marlin (275) Brandon Wingo, Capt. Chris Cawthon, Ohana
July 20: Blue marlin (150) Ed Garrett, Capt. Boyd DeCoito, Foxy Lady
July 20: Blue marlin (175) Patrick Haley, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
July 21: Blue marlin (200) Luke Waller, Capt. Trevor Child, High Noon
July 22: Blue marlin (150) Byron Bernard, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
July 22: Blue marlin (600) Peggy Herrum, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Sea Genie II
July 22: Blue marlin (600) Michael Maiers, Capt. Jeff Metzler, Anxious
July 22: BLue marlin (225) Unknown, Capt. Boyd DeCoito, Foxy Lady
July 23: Blue marlin (120) Aaron Swist, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
July 23: Blue marlin (200 and 225) Mark/Nicole Robertson, Capt. Brian Toney, Marlin Magic
July 24: Blue marlin (125) Jesse Rentena, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
July 24: Blue marlin (150) Tommy Brown, (200) Mike Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
July 25: Spearfish (30) Don Delano, Capt. Chris Cawthon, Ohana
July 25: Blue marlin (150) Andy Cho, Capt. John Bagwell, Silky
July 25: Blue marlin (200) David Neuenschwander, Capt. Steve Tarbill, Kona Concept
July 25: Blue marlin (200) Evan Jones, Capt. Jeff Metzler, Anxious
July 25: Blue marlin (150, 175, 175, and 300) Unknown, Capt. Mike Derego, Ku’uipo
July 25: Blue marlin (175) BJ Payne, Capt. Brian Toney, Marlin Magic
July 26: Spearfish (30) Shawna Haynes, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
July 26: Blue Marlin (150) Tika Anindyasari, Capt. Howard Whitcomb, Intrepid
Notable catches
July 20: Ahi (137) Fisher Nitta, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
July 20: Blue marlin (446) David Atiz, Capt. Kenny LLanes, Vixen
July 22: Ahi (210) Glen Kimura, Capt. Norman Ahhee, Kapua’ala
July 22: Uku (19) Joshua Fulton, Kayak
July 23) Ahi (130.5) Tommy Brown, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
July 23: Ahi (134.5), Mahimahi (38.5) Holly Hollingsworth, Capt. Kenny Llanes, Vixen
July 23: Ahi (150) Scott Atenley, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance
July 23: Ahi (168.5 and 180) BJ Payne, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern Lights
July 23: Ahi (140) David Woot, Capt. Kevin Hibbard, Jr’s Hooker
July 24: Blue marlin (145.5) Simon Harrison, Capt. Jeff Rogers, Aloha Kai
July 24: Ahi (185) Hunter Whitlow, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
July 24: Sailfish (78) Ina Schwarty, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner
July 24: Ahi (172) Jaime Gonzalez, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
July 25: Ahi (175) Bryan Hart, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance
July 25: Spearfish (31) Joel Jauculan, Capt. John Bagwell, Silky
July 25: Blue marlin (156) Gerald Yamata, Capt. Kerwin Masunaga, Rod Bender
July 25: Blue marlin (167.5) Ian Travis, Capt. Bryan Belancio, Marlin Grando
July 25: Blue marlin (398) Kristin Hall, Capt. James Bach, Fish Wish
July 25: Ahi (140) Evan Berns, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
July 25: Ahi (176) Steve Chagolla, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit II
July 25: Ahi (142) Ricardo Zorzon, Capt. Kevin Nakamary, Northern Lights
July 26: Blue marlin (120) Isaiah Schubert, Capt. Dutchy Genson, Fo’Reel
July 26: Awa (21.5) Cody Esperago, Speared
July 26: Blue marlin (185) Kaelin Mortin, Capt. Duane Bunch, Hoku Loa
July 26: Ahi (159.5) Kamaha’O, Capt. Jayson Kanekoa, Makana Lani
July 26: Ahi (185) Bobbie Keliikoa, Capt. Fred Huihui, Double Pleasure
July 26: Ahi (151) Molly Palmer, Capt. Will Lazenby, Golden Dragon
July 26: Ahi (203) Lelia Kanuha, Capt. Len Nakano, Kuulealoha
July 26: Blue marlin (447) Joy Painter, Capt. Gabe Heflin, Kila Kila
July 26: Ahi (209) Marisa Piazza, Capt. Che Pilago, Ka’eo Hawaii