The 2016 list recognizes the biggest fish caught on rod and reel (except for opakapaka and onaga, which hand line catches are accepted) in West Hawaii waters in each of 22 categories. In each catagory, fish are listed by species, weight, angler, skipper, boat and date. The list is updated every Monday throughout the year (copyright 2016 by Jim Rizzuto). If a selection has been overlooked, call 885-4208 or send an e-mail to rizzutojim1@gmail.com.
Blue marlin: 802, Lou Groebner, Capt. Rocky Gauron, Go Get Em. Mar. 1.
Black marlin: vacant
Ahi: 227, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika. Jan 6.
Big eye tuna: 173, Dave Remillard, Miles Nakahara, Puamana II. Jan. 11.
Striped marlin: 136.5, Mitchell Romero, Capt. Guy Terwilliger, High Flier. Jan 22.
Spearfish: 54, Nick Humpries, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner, Feb. 26
Sailfish: 81, Teresa and Jim Thomas, Freedom. Feb. 20
Mahimahi: 53, Nainoa Murtagh, Aulani. Feb. 10.
Ono: 57, Monty Brown, Capt. Robbie Brown, El JoBean. Jan 23.
Kaku (barracuda): vacant
Kahala: 70, Jessica Yell, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Jan 22
Ulua (giant trevally): 69, Sawyer Slattery, Capt. Kenny Llanes, Lehuanani. Feb 22.
Omilu (bluefin trevally): vacant
Otaru (skipjack tuna): 25, Capt. Brad Damasco, Bite Me 4, Feb 25
Broadbill swordfish: vacant
Ahipalaha (albacore): vacant
Kawakawa: 16.5, Capt. Chip Fischer, Hanamana. Mar. 3.
Kamanu (rainbow runner): vacant
Opakapaka (pink snapper): vacant
Onaga (ulaula ko`aie): 19.5, Greg Hong, Kevin Shiraki, Erin Kai. Feb 25.
Uku (gray snapper): vacant
O`io (bonefish): vacant
Beasts of the week
Marlin weighing 500 pounds or more
Feb. 28: Blue marlin (628.5) Jennifer Schramm, Capt. Jody Wolf, Plan B
March 1: Blue marlin (802) Lou Groebner, Capt. Rocky Gauron, Go Get Em
Releases
Feb. 29: Striped marlin (35) Bryce Poyer, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
March 1: Speafish (40 and 45) Leo Johnston, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
March 1: Spearfish (30 and 30), blue marlin (650) Jack O’Brien, Capt. John Bagwell, Silky
March 1: Spearfish (40) Johnny Collen, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
March 2: Spearfish (20), striped marlin (90) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
March 2: Spearfish (30) Christine Bolan, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
March 2: Spearfish (35) Unknown, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
March 3: Blue marlin (400) Martin Romero, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
March 3: Spearfish (30) Tom Blaine, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
March 4: Striped marlin (60) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
March 4: Striped marlin (30) Jose Estrada, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
March 4: Spearfish (25), striped marlin (50) Virginia Moser, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
March 5: Sailfish (90) Lee Labanouski, (100) Sam Lacey, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
March 5: Striped marlin (50) Unknown, Capt. Joe Schumaker, Fire Hatt
March 5: Spearfish (30) Steve Epstein, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
Notables
Feb. 28: Ahi (172) Pat, Courtney, and Donny, No Name
March 1: Spearfish (42) Smokey, Capt. Bill Murtagh, Nainoa
March 3: Kawakawa (16.5) Capt. Chip Fischer, Hanamana