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): 26, Randolph Fort, Capt. James Dean, Blue Hawaii. March 7.
Broadbill swordfish: vacant
Ahipalaha (albacore): vacant
Kawakawa: 16.5, Capt. Chip Fischer, Hanamana. Mar. 3.
Kamanu (rainbow runner): vacant
Opakapaka (pink snapper): 9.5. Butch Chee, Sueto Matsumoto, Sandee. Mar. 12.
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
None weighed
Releases
March 6: Striped marlin (100) Jung Jeon, Capt. John Bagwell, Silky
March 7: Spearfish (35) Larry Lundeen, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
March 7: Blue marlin (125) Jessie Olson, spearfish (40) Olivia Olson, Capt. Tracy Epstein, Last Chance
March 8: Striped marlin (110) Doug Anderson, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui
March 8: Blue marlin (450) Marc Fortner, Capt. Al Gustavson, Topshape
March 9: Spearfish (35) Dodi Rapozo, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
March 11: Spearfish (20) William Bursik, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
March 11: Spearfish (four fish from 30 to 50 pounds) Mindy Wasch, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
March 12: Blue marlin (175) Jim Severson, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
Notables
March 7: Aku (26) Randolph Fort, Capt. James Dean, Blue Hawaii
March 8: Blue marlin (459.5) Joe Lavellee, Capt. Kevin Hiney, Ku’uipo
March 12: Opakapaka (9.5) Butch Chee, Capt. Sueto Matsumoto, Sandee