Big-Fish List
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 2015 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 2015 by Jim Rizzuto). If we have overlooked you, give us a call (885-4208) or send an email (rizzutojim1@gmail.com).
Blue marlin: 1,226.5, Dean Lemman, Capt. Chip Van Mols, Luna. May 27 (*1,368, Guy Kitaoka, Darrell Omori, Rayna. July 28, *electric reel)
Black marlin: Vacant
Ahi: 233, Ken Smith, Capt. Bobby Cherry. Cherry Pit II, May 1
Bigeye tuna: 189, Meg Stern, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance. Feb. 19
Striped marlin: (tie), 141.5, Capt. Rocky Guaron, Hooked Up, March 26 and 142, Jody Pintar, Capt Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue IV. April 8
Spearfish: (tie) 52.9, Floyd Pansano, Capt. Dale Leverone, Sea Strike, March 10; and 52.7, Kasey Buising, Capt. Mark Schubert, Captain Jack, March 6
Sailfish: 101, Craig Cugnet, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Jan. 31
Mahimahi: 53, Ray Mohammed, Capt. Jim Wigzell, Go Get Em. March 15
Ono: 58.5, Asa Sugitan, Crazy Ann. Jan. 31
Kaku (barracuda): 49, Ben Bermoro, from shore. Aug. 14
Kahala (amberjack): 44.5, Todd Shiraki, Treeny 2. July 8.
Ulua (giant trevally): 104.5, Adam Hodgson, Kayak. March 31
Omilu (bluefin trevally): 13.5, Bruce Lentz, caught from shore. April 2
Otaru (skipjack tuna): 29, Unknown, Capt. Chad Contessa, Bite Me I. June 2
Broadbill swordfish: 50.5, Tony Clark, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui. June 6
Ahipalaha (albacore): Vacant
Kawakawa: 17.5, Todd Shiraki, Treeny 2, June 20.
Kamanu (rainbow runner): 21, Adam Hodgson, kayak. May 28
Opakapaka (pink snapper): Vacant
Onaga (ulaula koaie): Vacant
Uku (gray snapper): 16, Todd Shiraki, Treeny 2, June 20.
Oio (bonefish): O`io (bonefish), 5.4, James Cintas (6 years old), Shoreline
Beasts of the week
Marlin weighing 500 pounds or more
August 9: Blue marlin (777) Camilo Maldonado/Eric Gurwin, Capt. Jeff Fay, Humdinger
August 10: Blue marlin (573.4) Makoto Yaegashi, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui (biggest of 7 marlin weighed in the HIBT)
August 14: Blue marlin (547.3) Keiji Matsuba, Capt. Kerwin Masunaga, Rod Bender (second biggest of 7 marlin weighed in the HIBT)
Tag and release
In addition to the catches listed below, 87 blue marlin and 1 striped marlin were tagged during the five-day Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament. The list was too long to include here. With the 25 releases below, last week’s total of 112 blue marlin releases could be an all-time record for Kona.
August 9: Blue marlin (120 and 130) James/Laurel David, Capt. Mat Bowman, Northern Lights
August 9: Blue marlin (160) Mitch McConnel, Capt. Andrew Peterson, High Noon
August 10: Blue marlin (100 and 150) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
August 10: Blue marlin (100) Andy Witt, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
August 11: Blue marlin (325) Rick Mills, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
August 11: Blue marlin (175) Dorian Hasbond, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue IV
August 11: Blue marlin (150 and 250) Meris McHaney, Capt. Mike Holtz, JunKenPo
August 11: Blue marlin (125 and 175) Pryce/Savannah Robertson, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
August 11: Blue marlin (220) Pat Tooley, (180) Andy Witt, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
August 11: Spearfish (35) Jim Eby, Capt. Robert Hudson, Camelot
August 12: Blue marlin (125) Dwane Sablatura, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
August 12: Blue marlin (180) Don Ensley, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
August 13: Blue Marlin (125) Bevan Beauchamp, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
August 14: Blue Marlin (200), spearfish (25) KJ Robinson, blue marlin (200) Bevan Beauchamp. Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
August 15: Blue marlin (200) Craig Chambers, Capt. Tony Clark, Ihu Nui II
August 15: Blue marlin (200 and 600) Pat Tooley, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
August 15: Blue marlin (150) Darryl Hammond, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
August 15: Blue marlin (175) Angela Rubbio, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
August 15: Blue marlin (180 and 200) Dillon Manchester, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
Notable catches
August 9: Spearfish (27) Felix and Henry, Capt. Reuben Rubio, Sundowner
August 10: Blue marlin (257) Marc Townsend, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
August 11: Ahi (104, 117, and 124) Shire/Moorhouse/Shire, Capt. Russ NItta, Lepika
August 14: Barracuda (49) Ben Bermoro, Shoreline
August 14: Ahi (191) Claire Duke, Capt. Kenny Llanes, Vixen (biggest of 7 ahi weighed in the HIBT)