Updated: Thursday, September 3, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, September 10, 2026
This Hawaii fishing report covers early September, when the Kona tournament season is over but the blue marlin are still around, the way September usually goes off the Big Island. Marlin are the lead target, ahi work the buoys and ledges, ono sit on the 40-fathom drop-offs, and mahi scatter along the current lines. Plan around those current lines, which move with the tides and carry the ahi and mahi. On Oahu and Maui, shoreline anglers target papio and the occasional ulua, and bottom fishermen work opakapaka and onaga in deep water.
What’s Hitting
Blue marlin roam the Kona grounds from the Grounds down to the South Point area, a mix of 200- to 500-pound fish and the occasional larger one. Yellowfin tuna (ahi) from 40 to over 150 pounds sit on the FAD buoys off Kona and on the ledges.
Ono (wahoo) patrol the 40-fathom ledge and the drop-offs along the Kona coast, and mahi follow the current lines and floating debris. On the other islands, papio and ulua work the reefs and shorelines, and deep-water bottom fishing offers opakapaka, onaga and uku.
Where to Find Them
Look for marlin and ahi on the Kona grounds off Keauhou and the ledges south to Kealakekua, and on the FAD buoys; confirm which buoys are in place before running. Troll for ono on the 40-fathom ledge from Kaiwi Point south, and check every current line and piece of debris for mahi.
Shoreline papio frequent the Oahu south and west shores and the Maui coastline. Bottom fish off Penguin Bank out of Oahu and on the Kona ledges.
Tides & Conditions
Expect water temperatures off Kona in the low 80s with good clarity. With moderate trade winds, the lee of the Big Island stays calm and comfortable, while the windward sides run rougher. The current lines move with the tides, and the mahi and ahi follow them.
September is early hurricane season for Hawaii, so check the Central Pacific outlook before any long run.
Tackle & Tactics
- Marlin: 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: smaller trolled lures and live opelu on the buoys, or live bait dropped to the marks on the ledges.
- Ono: a fast-trolled lure or a rigged ballyhoo with wire.
- Mahi: a trolled lure or a live bait pitched to a sighted fish.
- Shoreline: poppers and bait for papio and ulua.
Local Intel This Week
On the Big Island, the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor ramp in Kona is the launch for the Kona grounds, the ledges and the FADs, and the Kawaihae Harbor ramp covers the north Big Island. On Oahu, the Keehi Small Boat Harbor ramp is the public launch, and on Maui, the Maalaea Harbor ramp serves the Maui coastline.
Concentrate on the Kona grounds and the FADs for marlin and ahi. Hawaii has no state saltwater fishing license for residents or visitors, but some species carry size rules and seasons, and bottomfish have specific rules. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons 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 a 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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