January 2026 — Hawaii: Wahoo Strong, Trophy Ahi Continuing, Striped Marlin. January is a winter month with water in the 72-76°F range — ono (wahoo) peaks; trophy ahi (yellowfin); good marlin. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — January 2026
Primary targets this month: Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Striped Marlin, Mahi.
Wahoo
Wahoo on PEAK WINTER (December-April) — Kona, Penguin Banks, the offshore current edges; trolling at 8-12 knots. High-speed troll (12-15 knots) with heavy lures (Marauders, Yo-Zuri Bonita), or live bait at slower speeds. Wire leader essential — 80-130 lb single-strand or coated.
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna on Kona, Penguin Banks, the offshore current edges around all islands — ahi 100-300 lbs routine; trophy fish over 300 possible. Chunking (cut sardine, butterfish) at anchor, live bait drifting, or trolled feathers and cedar plugs. Heavy stand-up tackle (50-80 lb class) for the bigger grades.
Striped Marlin
Striped marlin on Kona in winter (December-April), Molokai, Oahu — smaller billfish, peak winter. Smaller than blue marlin (100-300 lbs typical). Trolled lures and rigged ballyhoo; live bait when fish are concentrated. Peak Hawaiian winter season.
Mahi
Mahi around year-round on all islands with summer peak — weed lines and floating debris. Trolled ballyhoo and skirted lures; pitch live bait to anything floating.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 72-76°F. Ono (wahoo) peaks; trophy ahi (yellowfin); good marlin. Hawaii tides are minimal (1-2 ft typical) — fishing is driven by current direction, moon phase, and water temperature rather than tides. Offshore, watch for current breaks and temperature edges visible on satellite (Hilton’s, RipCharts). Reef fishing is best on the moving water around tide changes.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
January Outlook
Cold-water patterns will continue through February, then transition begins late month into early March.
Regulations Reminder
Tuna: NOAA HMS permit required. Strict size and bag limits — verify current NOAA rules. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Charter Desk at Honokohau Harbor (Kona); Pacific Fishing Supply (Honolulu); J. Hara Store (Big Island); West Side Bait & Tackle (Oahu); Maui Sporting Goods.
Public Boat Ramps: Honokohau Harbor (Kona — main billfish port), Kewalo Basin (Honolulu), Maalaea Harbor (Maui), Manele Bay (Lanai), Nawiliwili (Kauai), Kaunakakai (Molokai).
Charter Fishing: $1,200–$2,500 Kona billfish; $1,800–$3,500 trophy hunts (Pacific Blue Marlin); $250–$400 per person walk-on; $600–$1,200 inshore/reef trips; $1,500+ multi-day open boat.
More Hawaii Resources
Hawaii Fishing Guide · Hawaii Seasonal Calendar · All Hawaii reports →
Reports updated every Thursday on fishing.digital.
Where to focus this month
January is the heart of Hawaii’s winter season, and Kona remains the headliner. The short run to deep water, the bait holding on the FADs, and the consistent striped marlin make it the most reliable month of the winter for a mixed bluewater bag. Penguin Banks and the leeward sides of the other main islands all produce when the weather allows. Trolled lures and rigged ballyhoo at speed cover water for wahoo and marlin; live bait slows things down for the bigger ahi.
Conditions and timing
The winter trade winds and northwest swells dictate the schedule, so watch the marine forecast and lean on the sheltered leeward water. The calmest, cleanest mornings produce the best high-speed wahoo trolling. When the surface goes quiet, dropping for onaga, opakapaka, and other deep bottomfish is a dependable way to put fish in the box.
The month ahead
Striped marlin are at or near their winter peak now and hold strong into February and March. The wahoo run continues, the trophy ahi remain a real possibility, and the occasional winter blue marlin keeps the trollers honest. Mahi fill in around the FADs and floating debris and make an excellent backup target when the billfish are scattered. February typically carries the same productive pattern, so the booking window stays wide open through late winter, and the leeward Kona side remains the most reliable bet whenever the trades pick up.