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): 53.5, Alex Becker, Capt. Bomboy Llanes, Lana Kila. Aug. 18
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 Aug. issue of Hawaii Fishing News.
Beasts of the week
Marlin weighing 500 pounds or more
None weighed
Tag and release
Aug. 17: Blue marlin (200) Carol Hinkle-Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Aug. 17: Blue marlin (120) Tom O’Connor, Capt. Ryan Thurner, Ohana
Aug. 17: Blue marlin (700) Josh Lette, Capt. Brad DeMasco, Bite Me 4
Aug. 17: Blue marlin (150) Brett Laxton, Capt. Randy Parker, Strong Persuader
Aug. 17: Blue marlin (120 and 140) Jason/Jack Egami, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern Lights
Aug. 17: Blue marlin (300) Pat Brian, Capt. Mike Holtz, Jun Ken Po
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (150) Ken Jones, Capt. Molly Palmer, Renegade
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (500) Unknown, Capt. Gene Vanderhoek, Sea Genie II
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (225) Johnny Mak, Capt. Ryan Thurner, Ohana
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (125) Grant Curtis, Capt. Trevor Child, Kuuipo
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (150) Sally Kurz, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
Aug. 18: Spearfish (15) Unknown, Capt. Kevin Nakamaru, Northern Lights
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (90) Mikey Hyde, Capt. Andrew Peterson, High Noon
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (80) Dave Zan Malsen, Capt. Andrew Peterson, High Noon
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (300) Bob Loza, Capt. Chris Bays, Raven
Aug. 19: Blue marlin (200) Pat Brian, (300) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Aug. 19: Blue marlin (150) Steve Payne, Capt. Trevor Child, Kuuipo
Aug. 19: Blue marlin (175) Michael Abrams, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
Aug. 19: Blue marlin (250) Frankie Lopez, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
Aug. 20: Blue marlin (150) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Aug. 20: Blue marlin (200) Mark Bogdanoff, Capt. Mike O’Toole, Hula Girl
Aug. 20: Spearfish (25) Assen Bogdanoff, Capt. Mike O’Toole, Hula Girl
Aug. 21: Blue marlin (275) Denver Huehl, Capt. Chris Hudson, Camelot
Aug. 22: Blue marlin (175) Zeng Her, Capt. Chris Hudson, Camelot
Aug. 22: Blue marlin (140) Harry Clock, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
Aug. 22: Blue marlin (150) Demitri Krukle, Capt. John Bagwell, Silky
Aug. 22: Blue marlin (150) Unknown, Capt. Lance Gelman, Medusa
Aug. 22: Blue marlin (200) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Aug. 23: Blue marlin (175) Kim Vertefuille, Capt. Steve Tarbill, Kona Concept
Aug. 23: Blue marlin (150) Bruce Blakemore, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
Notable catches
Aug. 17: Ahi (136.5, 146, and 183.5), albacore (seven fish to 40 pounds) Mathieu Williams, David Nahuina, Keiki Auana
Aug. 17: Spearfish (45) Connor, Capt. Andrew Peterson, High Noon
Aug. 17: Mahimahi (eight fish to 20 pounds) Wayne and Larry Peardon, El JoBean
Aug. 18: Tombo ahi (53.5) Alex Becker, Capt. Bomboy Llanes, Lana Kila
Aug. 18: Blue marlin (487) Mark Rosseter, Capt. Robert Hudson, Camelot
Aug. 19: Ono (40) Unknown, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
Aug. 20: Ono (42) Michael Abrams, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
Aug. 22: Ahi (154.5) John Hicks, Capt. Tim Hicks, Illusions
Aug. 23: Spearfish (47) Jeffrey Cooke, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue III
Aug. 23: Sailfish (60.5) Stephen Kilkenny, Speared