The Kona tournament season is behind us and the blue marlin are still here, which is the way September usually goes off the Big Island. The ahi are on the buoys and the ledges, the ono are on the 40-fathom drop-offs, and mahi are scattered along the current lines. On Oahu and Maui, the shoreline anglers are into papio and the occasional ulua, and the bottom fishermen are on opakapaka and onaga in the deep water.
What’s Hitting
What’s hitting this week: blue marlin on the Kona grounds from the Grounds down to the South Point area, with a mix of 200- to 500-pound fish and the occasional larger one. Yellowfin tuna (ahi) are on the FAD buoys off Kona and on the ledges, with fish from 40 to over 150 pounds. Ono (wahoo) are on the 40-fathom ledge and the drop-offs along the Kona coast, and mahi are on the current lines and any floating debris. On the other islands, papio and ulua are on the reefs and shorelines, and the deep-water bottom fishing is producing opakapaka, onaga, and uku.
Where to Find Them
Marlin and ahi on the Kona grounds off Keauhou and the ledges south to Kealakekua, and on the FAD buoys — check which buoys are in place before running. Ono on the 40-fathom ledge from Kaiwi Point south. Mahi on the current lines and the debris. Shoreline papio on the Oahu south and west shores and the Maui coastline, and the bottom fishing off the Penguin Bank out of Oahu and the Kona ledges.
Tides & Conditions
Water temps off Kona are in the low 80s with good clarity. The trade winds have been moderate, which makes the lee of the Big Island calm and comfortable; the windward sides are rougher. The current lines are moving with the tides, and the mahi and ahi follow them. September is early hurricane season for Hawaii — check the Central Pacific outlook before any long run.
Tackle & Tactics
Marlin take large trolled lures in a spread of four to six lines on 80- and 130-pound tackle, with a live bait rigged for a sighted fish. Ahi take smaller trolled lures and live opelu on the buoys; drop live bait to the marks on the ledges. Ono want a fast-trolled lure or a rigged ballyhoo with wire. Mahi take a trolled lure or a live bait pitched to a sighted fish. Shoreline anglers throw poppers and bait for papio and ulua.
Local Intel This Week
Public ramps: the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor ramp in Kona, the Kawaihae Harbor ramp on the north Big Island, the Keehi Small Boat Harbor ramp on Oahu, and the Maalaea Harbor ramp on Maui. Fish are concentrating on the Kona grounds and the FADs for marlin and ahi. Hawaii has no state saltwater fishing license for residents or visitors, but there are size limits and seasons on some species and specific rules for bottom fish — check current Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources regulations before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
On the Kona ledges, the ahi bite on the FAD buoys turns on and off with the current. If the buoy is dead, run to the next one down the current line rather than waiting — the fish move with the water, and the boats that cover buoys catch the most.
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