Sport fishing on the Kona Coast is big business. Many anglers come to pursue the storied 1,000-pound Pacific blue marlin and other hefty catches of broadbill swordfish, yellowfin tuna and mahimahi.
Since water depths drop off to 6,000 feet just a few miles offshore, and continue to get deeper as you head out to sea, most of Kona’s “grander” marlins have been found between 2 and 5 miles from shore.
More than 60 CHARTER BOATS are available for hire, most of them out of Honokōhau Harbor, north of Kailua-Kona.
MAKANA LANI CHARTERS, based in beautiful Honokōhau Harbor in Kona, is one such boat for hire. Kona’s calm waters are teeming with fish, such as marlin, ‘ahi , mahimahi and ono , ready for catching. And with Capt. Kenny Fogarty at the helm of Makana Lani, even the most novice fisherman will benefit from the captain’s reel expertise and extensive knowledge of Kona’s waters. A fishing charter accommodates up to four people and can go from 6.5 hours to a full 8.5-hour day. All you have to worry about is bringing sunscreen, a camera and refreshments — Makana Lani’s experienced crew provides everything else you’ll need to make sure the one you catch doesn’t get away. Visit makanalanicharterskona. com for details.
You can also get a look at Kona whoppers in the lobby of KING KAMEHAMEHA’S KONA BEACH HOTEL. While here, check out a 1,166-pound blue marlin, the record catch at the 1993 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament.
If you don’t want to hang with the Kona crowd, drop your line in the more remote eastside waters outside of Hilo. Also in Hilo, you can get your fishing supplies (as well as diving and paddleboarding gear) at S. TOKUNAGA STORE (stokunagastore. com). CHERRY PIT SPORTFISHING 808-936-0726 MAKANA LANI CHARTERS 808-960-9836 S. TOKUNAGA STORE 808-935-6965 VIXEN SPORTFISHING 808-938-3503
