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 category, 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: 865, Louis Paulo and Kalamaokalani Kelekolio-Crivello, Anela Okaikea. Apr 20
Black marlin: 241.5, Rod Schill, Capt. Butch Chee, Duck Soup, May 14
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: 91, Mike Foster, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Mar. 24.
Mahimahi: 53, Nainoa Murtagh, Aulani. Feb. 10.
Ono: 62, Charlie Ford, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. March 18.
Kaku (barracuda): 49.5, Koi Lorance and Tyson Fukuyama, Miki. May 7.
Kahala: 70, Jessica Yell, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Jan 22
Ulua (giant trevally): 74, Bochan Johnson, from shore. Apr 3
Omilu (bluefin trevally): 18.5, Mikey McCrum, Shoreline. May 13
Otaru (skipjack tuna): 28, Rannie Beaver, Capt. McGrew Rice, Ihu Nui, May 14
Broadbill swordfish: 333.5, Josh and Duane Bunch, Koinonia May 21
Ahipalaha (albacore): vacant
Kawakawa: 18, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Apr. 2 Hanamana. March 3
Kamanu (rainbow runner): 12.5. Tom Britton, kayak. Apr. 13
Opakapaka (pink snapper): 9.5. Butch Chee, Sueto Matsumoto, Sandee. March 12
Onaga (ulaula ko`aie): 19.5, Greg Hong, Kevin Shiraki, Erin Kai. Feb 25
Uku (gray snapper): 17.5, Devin Hallingstad, kayak. Mar. 24
O`io (bonefish): vacant
Beasts of the week
Marlin weighing 500 pounds or more
May 21: Blue marlin (536) Ted Welch, Capt. Ruben Rubio, Sundowner
May 21: Blue marlin (698) Melanie Kelemoma, Marcus Kelekoma, Kamakana
Releases
May 15: Blue marlin (125), spearfish (35, 35, and 40) Craig Lindner, Capt. Teddy Hoogs, Bwana
May 16: Blue marlin (150) Jeff Backshies, black marlin (200) Brian Benjamin, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
May 16: Spearfish (40) Mike Henry, spearfish (40) Joe Glasnapp, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
May 16: Blue marlin (225) Jack Tapscott, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
May 16: Spearfish (35) Elfreida Crawford, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Sea Wife II
May 17: Spearfish (30) Ian Parker, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
May 17: Blue marlin (175) Geoff Coopman, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani
May 17: Blue marlin (450) Paul Walton, Capt. James Dean, Blue Hawaii
May 18: Blue marlin (250) Unknown, Capt. Shawn Palmer, Camelot
May 18: Blue marlin (200) Dan Setlak, Capt. Chuck Wilson, Fire Hatt
May 18: Spearfish (30) Shelby Turbin, Capt. Tony Clark, Ihu Nui II
May 18: Blue marlin (150) Dawn Toltini, Capt. Boyd DeCoito, Foxy Lady
May 18: Blue marlin (300) Bob Cruise, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
May 19: Blue marlin (125) Unknown, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
May 20: Blue marlin (100) Samantha Schmitt, (100) Gene Schmitt, Capt. David Crawford, Kona Blue
May 21: Blue marlin (150) Ari Greenman, Capt. Boyd DeCoito, Foxy Lady
May 21: Blue marlin (150) Unknown, Capt. Tim Hicks, Illusions
May 21: Blue marlin (200) Patty Vandentoorn, Capt. Steve Epstein, Huntress
May 21: Blue marlin (125, 125, and 175) Carol Herren, Capt. Bruce Herren, Raptor
Notables
May 15: Ahi (193) Brad Dinelle, Capt. Andy, Bite Me 3
May 18: Blue marlin (405) Dan Crow, Capt. Dave Mayers, Tai Pan V
May 21: Swordfish (333.5) Joshua Bunch, Capt. Duane Bunch, Koinonia