Hawaii fishing report for the week of October 22, 2026. Fall remains one of the best stretches of the year for bluewater fishing off the Kona coast.
What’s Hitting
Blue marlin and yellowfin tuna are offshore of Kona and Kawaihae, mahi mahi are along weed lines and floating debris, and ono and skipjack are active along the ledges. Inshore, bonefish, papio and omilu are on the flats and reefs.
Looking ahead, warm water keeps the offshore bite strong, and Kona’s calm leeward waters make for reliable fishing days.
Where to Find Them
Troll the ledges and the 1,000 to 2,000 foot range off Kona for marlin and tuna, and look for floating debris for mahi. On shore, work the reef edges and flats at dawn for papio and bonefish.
Tides & Conditions
Tides have less effect offshore than the moon phase and the weather. Calm mornings are usually best, and trade winds build later in the day. Check a current marine forecast.
Tackle & Tactics
Lures in a mixed trolling spread for marlin and tuna, live bait or chunk bait for yellowfin, and small jigs for inshore species.
Use heavy tackle for marlin and light line for inshore fish.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Honokohau Harbor, Keauhou Bay and Kawaihae. Check current Hawaii regulations and seasons, including rules on certain bottomfish and bonefish, before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Start early. The morning bite is often the best before the trade winds build.
More Hawaii Resources
All Hawaii fishing reports · Seasonal fishing calendars · Submit your own report
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This report tells you what happened. ReelAI tells you what to do about it — a briefing for your date, your target species and how you're fishing, built from our reports plus live NOAA and USGS data.
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