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 Aug. 5: Blue marlin (543) Kevin Lau, Capt. Jay Lighty, Mariah
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (883.5) Jason Ramich, Capt. Steve Tarbill, Kona Concept
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (502.5) Anita Ramich, Capt. Steve Tarbill, Kona Concept
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (581.5) John Patterson, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
TAG AND RELEASE
Aug. 3: Blue marlin (150) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Aug. 3: Blue marlin (300) Lone Knight, Capt. Paul Cantor, Silver Star
Aug. 3: Blue marlin (275) Craig Lindner, Capt. Teddy Hoogs, Bwana
Aug. 4: Blue marlin (225) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Aug. 4: Blue marlin (450) Jason Ramich, Capt. Steve Tarbill, Kona Concept
Aug. 4: Blue marlin (300) Jan Martic, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
Aug. 4: Blue marlin (175 and 450) Thomas Groggan and Thomas Groggan JR, Capt. Lance Gelman, Medusa
Aug. 5: Blue marlin (150 and 200) Granger Wong, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
Aug. 5: Blue marlin (500) Becky Hucks, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier
Aug. 5: Blue marlin (375) Michael Zhu, Cpat. Chip Fisher, Hanamana
Aug. 5: Blue marlin (75 and 200) Adam Bozarth, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
Aug. 5: Blue marlin (120 and 400) Unknown, Capt. Trevor Child, High Noon
Aug. 5: Blue marlin (150 and 175) Wes Davis, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Sea Genie II
Aug. 6: Striped marlin (75) Mitchell Bregman, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
Aug. 6: Striped marlin (80) Tim Wurster, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
Aug. 6: Blue marlin (125) Adam Bozarth, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
Aug. 6: Blue marlin (170) Bob O’De, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (150) Craig LIndner, Capt. Teddy Hoogs, Bwana
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (200) John Bowers, Capt. Brian Wargo, Bite Me 2
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (180) Randy Weih, Capt. Chip Van Mols, Luna
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (225) Unknown, Capt. Molly Palmer, Renegade
Aug. 9: Striped marlin (65) Mike Kehoe, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (375) Mike Shimamoto, Capt. Carlton Taniyama, Five Star
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (175) Anita Ramich, Capt. Steve Tarbill, Kona Concept
Aug. 9: Blue marlin (450) Unknown, Capt. Tim Hicks, Illusions
NOTABLE CATCHES
Aug. 3: Ahi (187.5) Greg Asanuma, Capt. Dave Crawford, Kona Blue
Aug. 3: Ahi (220) John Stanaland, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
Aug. 3: Ono (40) Lone Knight, Capt. Paul Cantor, Silver Star
Aug. 4: Ahi (183) Jordan Schindel, Capt. Allan Borowski, Hapalaka
Aug. 4: Ahi (5 tuna to 102 pounds) Ollie Griffin, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit II
Aug. 4: Ahi (150.5) Jim Harris, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance
Aug. 6: Ahi (222.5) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Aug. 6: Blue marlin (456) Steve Spina, Capt. Kerwin Masunaga, Rod Bender
Aug. 9: Ahi (180.5) Yin Guochen, Capt. Boyd DeCoito, Foxy Lady
Aug. 9: Ono (47) Dermot Duggan, Capt. Greg Olson, Kolohelina