Hawaii fishing report for the week of October 15, 2026. Warm water holds good fishing off the Kona coast, with ahi and mahi around the FADs.
What’s Hitting
Yellowfin ahi are off the Kona coast, mahi are around the FADs, and papio are along the shoreline. Marlin and wahoo are available offshore.
Looking ahead, the offshore bite should remain active as water stays warm, and swells from northern storms may begin to build.
Where to Find Them
Fish the FADs off Kona for ahi and mahi, troll the deep water for marlin, and fish the shoreline for papio.
Kona’s calm leeward waters make it one of the most reliable offshore destinations in the Pacific. Charter boats leave from Honokohau Harbor and troll the grounds off the coast for marlin, ahi and mahi. The FADs, which are anchored floating devices, concentrate baitfish and attract predators, but they are shared by many boats, so follow courtesy rules and give others room.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon heading toward first quarter, tides are easing. Check the marine forecast, as trade winds and swells matter.
For shore anglers, the rocky points and harbor mouths offer papio, also known as juvenile jacks, on light tackle. Surf conditions change quickly, so respect warning signs and never turn your back on the ocean.
Tackle & Tactics
Live bait and trolled lures for offshore fish, and light tackle for papio. Heavy gear is needed for ahi.
Troll at varying speeds around the FADs, and have a fresh bait ready for ahi. Respect local rules and the ocean conditions.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Honokohau Harbor, Keauhou Bay and Kawaihae Harbor. Check current Hawaii regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Check the swell. Ocean conditions around the islands can change quickly.
More Hawaii Resources
All Hawaii fishing reports · Seasonal fishing calendars · Submit your own report
Planning a trip to Hawaii?
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.
Powered by ReelAI — fishing.digital's intelligence layer. Answers are generated from fishing.digital reports and public NOAA, NWS and USGS data, and may be incomplete or out of date. Regulations and marine safety information are summaries only; always confirm with the responsible authority before you fish.