The Big-Fish 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 2017 in each of 22 categories. Catches are listed by species, weight, angler, skipper, boat and date. The list is updated every Sunday throughout the year (copyright 2017 by Jim Rizzuto).
If a catch has been overlooked, call 885-4208 or email rizzutojim1@gmail.com.
Blue marlin: 771, Brad Pickings, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, Ez Pickens. Jan 28
Black marlin: vacant
Ahi: 191, Keri Clavin, Capt. Brad Damasco, Bite Me 6. Jan. 15
Bigeye tuna: 121.5, Kelsey Bestall, Capt. Jah Nogues, High Noon. Jan. 14
Striped marlin: 82, Mitchelle Duke, Bomboy Llanes, Bomboy’s Toy Feb 19
Spearfish: 49, Paul Marks, Capt. Robert Hudson, Camelot. Jan. 14
Sailfish: 73.5, Andy Hauswirth, Capt. Shawn Rotella, Night Runner. Feb 24
Mahimahi: 42.5, Stephanie Holtorf, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Makana Lani. Feb 8
Ono: 72.5, Monica Rolleri, Jeff Zader, Lehua. Feb 18
Kaku (barracuda): 39, Chad Culbertson, Capt. Jeff Rogers, Aloha Kai. Jan 23
Kahala: vacant
Ulua (giant trevally): vacant
Omilu (bluefin trevally): vacant
Otaru (skipjack tuna): 18, Larry Chu, Capt. Kent Mongreig, Seawife II. Jan. 5
Broadbill swordfish: vacant
Ahipalaha (albacore): vacant
Kawakawa: 22.5, Britt McCurdy, Capt. Sean Rotella, Night Runner. Jan 31
Kamanu (rainbow runner): 20.5, Britt McCurdy, Capt. Sean Rotella, Night Runner. Jan 31
Opakapaka (pink snapper): 14.5, Greg Hong, Kevin Shiraki, Erin Kai. Jan. 12
Onaga (ulaula ko`aie): 19.5, Greg Hong and Kevin Shiraki, Erin Kai. Feb. 21
Uku (gray snapper): 24.5, Brent Masunaga, Holly Ann 3. Jan. 3
O`io (bonefish): 8.5, Brandon Lopes, Shoreline. Feb 11
Beasts of the week
Feb. 27: Blue marlin (592) Robert Barnick, Capt. Dale Leverone, Sea Strike
Feb. 27: Blue marlin (631) Derek Beaton, Capt. Andy Diehl, Bite Me 3
Released
Feb. 27: Blue marlin (150) Ryan, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II
Feb. 27: Spearfish (10 and 15) Dave, Capt. Kent Mongrieg, Seawife II
Feb. 28: Blue marlin (400) Bill Burns, (150) Jackie Burns, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, Hooked up
Feb. 28: Blue marlin (400) Mark Minnillo, (250) Dianne Minnillo, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
Mar. 1: Blue marlin (250) Scott Jamison, Capt. Steve Tarbell, Miss Mojo
Mar. 2: Striped marlin (50) Brian Sharky, spearfish (20) Dean Stoval, spearfish (40) Jennifer, Capt. Chris Choy, Sapo
Mar. 2: Striped marlin (40) Vicki Pickings, Capt. Chuck Wigzell, Ez Pickens
Mar. 3: Spearfish (30) Jack O’Brien, Capt. John Bagell, Silky
Mar. 3: Blue marlin (125 and 150) Roy Gilbert, Capt. Kenny Fogarty, Hula Girl
Mar. 3: Blue marlin (110) John Hynes, Capt. Boyd Decoito, Foxy Lady
Boated
Feb. 27: Spearfish (30) Tom, Capt. Mcgrew Rice, Ihu Nui II
Feb. 27: Spearfish (44.5) Brett Tessier, Capt. Russ Nitta, Lepika
Feb. 28: Blue marlin (375.5) Jack Keenan, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit
Feb. 28: Mahimahi (25) Dianne Minnillo, Capt. Neal Isaacs, Anxious
Mar. 1: Ahi (83) Mark Malenke, (84.5) Tim Hepner, Capt. Chad Contessa, Bite Me 1
Mar. 2: Striped marlin (57) Travis Snaver, Capt. Chad Contessa, Bite Me 1
Mar. 2: Ahi (175) Jeff Kronebusch, Capt. Bobby Cherry, Cherry Pit
Mar. 2: Spearfish (41.5) Jim Russell, Capt. Shawn Palmer, El Jobean
Mar. 2: Mahimahi (27) Tom Fredrick, Capt. Bill Casey, Marlin Grando
Mar. 2: Blue marlin (139.5) Capt. Peter Blake, TLC 2
Mar. 3: Blue marlin (182) Brant Worden, Capt. Howard Whitcomb, Go Get Um
Mar. 3: Spearfish (30) Jack O’ Brien, Capt. John Bagwell, Silky
Mar. 3: Aku (22), mahimahi (15,19, and 23) Brandy, spearfish (42) Garrett, Capt. Jeff Heintz, Linda Sue IV
Mar. 3: Blue marlin (110) Hal Bennett, Capt. Marlin Parker, Marlin Magic II