This summers fishing action continues to be
absolutely awesome. Big Marlin and 100+ lb.
Yellowfin tuna have continued to be a regular
catch since my last report.
Usually the summertime yellowfin tuna schools
are located by finding the schools of Spinner
Dolfin. You'll usually mark the Yellowfin on
your fish finder just in front and below the
Dolfin schools. I haven't seen a deep water
Spinner Dolfin school around for almost a month
now but the Yellowfin are commonly being seen
feeding on the surface all along the Kona coast
from near shore to out past the 1,600 fathom
ledge.
Getting them to bite can be a real exercise
in patience but there are so many of them, the
odds are good that you'll eventually get one to
bite. They're biting both on live bait and lures
and I've heard of 2 new Yellowfin world records
that are now being reviewed by the I.G.F.A.
The Stripped Marlin bite has slowed down but
the Pacific Blue Marlin bite is in full swing.
There have even been a few 1000+ pounders hooked
up but only one boat (The Vixen) has been able
to actually subdue one of these beasts and bring
it back to the dock.
The average size Marlin being released or
brought in to the dock are in the 130 to 250 lb.
range with a few bigger ones (400+) also being
landed each day.
Spearfish, Mahi Mahi, Ono, Skipjack and
Bigeye tuna have also been a very common site at
the weigh-in dock. In fact, it's the weigh-in
that seems to be the most frustrating part of
the day. There are so many fish being brought in
that the wait to get your fish on the scale can
sometimes take over an hour.
The abundance of fish sure has made the
people of Kona town happy though. The price for
fresh fish at the supermarkets is dirt cheap.
One word describes the bottom fishing bite
right now. SLOW. There's always some fish to be
had by bottom fishing and there's a wide
assortment of good eating critters down there
but be prepared for a long wait between bites.
The currents have been very strong and it's
been difficult and some days impossible to fish
the prime bottom fishing grounds North of town.
The sun's shinning, the water's flat and the
bite (over all) is great! What are you waiting
for?
Aloha,
Capt. Jeff Rogers ,
