Skillet Sportfishing 

4.9/5 (409 reviews)
 Kealakehe Parkway 74-380, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, United States

Skillet Sportfishing 

Kailua-Kona, HI, United States
32 feet
6
4.9/5 (409 reviews)
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Skillet Sportfishing and Captain John Burke wish you a warm welcome to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Captain John is a seasoned angler with over 5 decades of fishing, the majority of which he has spent fishing in Hawaii. He invites you to join him aboard on a trip to the areas' beautiful offshore waters and discover the richness this fishery has to offer. Captain John will do everything he can to provide an enjoyable and productive trip for each of his guests, regardless of their skills and fishing experience. Bring your family or friends and have a memorable time sportfishing in Hawaii.

Captain John owns and runs a 32' Topaz saltwater fishing boat that can safely take up to 6 guests. It is powered by twin 370HP Cummins engines and equipped with extensive navigation technology, making your ride to the fish smooth and quick. There's a very nice bathroom on board as well as a table and seating downstairs. The rest of the onboard amenities include a fighting chair, a livewell, an ice box, and various fishing gear.

Kona is the billfish capital of the world. There are more thousand pound marlin caught here than anywhere else. You and the crew may catch many other pelagic species but large blue marlin are what most anglers come to Kona to catch. To reel them in, you use heavy tackle/ trolling.

The crew will have all the fishing tackle and bait(provided they are biting). You should only bring food and drinks to stay energized while on the boat.

Upon request we will cut up a designated portion of the catch per charter to provide each charter guest onboard. Just enough fish to enjoy for a few meals while on island. Ahi over 100 pounds stays with the boat. Blue marlin over 100 pounds is strictly catch and release.

Fishing License (Nonresidents Only) – Visitors to Hawaii must have a Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License (NRMFL) to fish. Licenses are available online. PASSENGERS MUST BE 10 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.

Skillet Sportfishing and Captain John Burke wish you a warm welcome to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Captain John is a seasoned angler with over 5 decades of fishing, the majority of which he has spent fishing in Hawaii. He invites you to join him aboard on a trip to the areas' beautiful offshore waters and discover the richness this fishery has to offer. Captain John will do everything he can to provide an enjoyable and productive trip for each of his guests, regardless of their skills and fishing experience. Bring your family or friends and have a memorable time sportfishing in Hawaii.

Captain John owns and runs a 32' Topaz saltwater fishing boat that can safely take up to 6 guests. It is powered by twin 370HP Cummins engines and equipped with extensive navigation technology, making your ride to the fish smooth and quick. There's a very nice bathroom on board as well as a table and seating downstairs. The rest of the onboard amenities include a fighting chair, a livewell, an ice box, and various fishing gear.

Kona is the billfish capital of the world. There are more thousand pound marlin caught here than anywhere else. You and the crew may catch many other pelagic species but large blue marlin are what most anglers come to Kona to catch. To reel them in, you use heavy tackle/ trolling.

The crew will have all the fishing tackle and bait(provided they are biting). You should only bring food and drinks to stay energized while on the boat.

Upon request we will cut up a designated portion of the catch per charter to provide each charter guest onboard. Just enough fish to enjoy for a few meals while on island. Ahi over 100 pounds stays with the boat. Blue marlin over 100 pounds is strictly catch and release.

Fishing License (Nonresidents Only) – Visitors to Hawaii must have a Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License (NRMFL) to fish. Licenses are available online. PASSENGERS MUST BE 10 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER.

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Rating

4.9
409 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (343)

What anglers say

96%
Great experience
85%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
97%
Recommended
67%
Caught fish

All reviews (409)

Filter
Showing 15 of 409 reviews
Robyn Miller
Robyn Miller
Repeat angler
us
Washington State, US
Member since 2018
3 trips
1
5.0
Verified
AMAZING!
8 Hour Trip on March 19, 20265 adults
Amazing experience. Highly recommend. Captain John was knowledgeable & helped us catch a 750lb Marlin. We also caught 2 spearfish. Deion was a fantastic deck hand and very supportive. This was a great trip for both experienced & novices. They were so funny, and kept us laughing throughout the trip. The weather wasn’t cooperating with the original date we booked, Captain John was wonderful about working with us to find another time during our stay in Hawaii.
Reported catch:
Blue Marlin
Shortbill Spearfish
Response from Captain
March 22, 2026
Hi Robyn. Thank you for the great review! It was such a pleasure taking your family out fishing. Congratulations on the two spearfish and the 750 lb marlin they caught! Until next time!
Joel  DAVIS
Joel DAVIS
us
Missouri, US
Member since 2024
3
5.0
Verified
Beautiful Ono
4 Hour Trip on September 11, 20252 adults
We had an incredible morning on the water with Captain John and his crew. From the moment we stepped on board, they made the trip feel special with their great storytelling, humor, and deep knowledge of the ocean. They kept us entertained and engaged the whole time, turning the trip into more than just fishing—it was an experience. The real highlight came when my wife hooked into a beautiful Ono. The crew’s excitement and encouragement made the catch even more memorable. Later, we prepared the fresh Ono into amazing blackened fish tacos with mango salsa—hands down one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Captain John and his team go above and beyond to create not just a fishing trip, but a lasting memory. Highly recommend them if you want a fun, professional, and unforgettable day on the water!
Response from Captain
September 16, 2025
Hi Joel. Thank you for the great review. You and your wife were such a pleasure to take fishing. Congratulations on your wife’s Ono! We’re glad you enjoyed it.
David Silva
David Silva
ca
Edmonton, AB, Canada
Member since 2026
0
4.3
Verified
Fishing with John
4 Hour PM Trip on March 9, 20262 adults
Hey John hopefully the weather is getting better for you guys I didn't want to post this on a public review for you but just a quick note of what myself and my father in law thought The crew was friendly and professional, and we appreciated how nice everyone was throughout the trip. The boat and gear were good, and the mate worked consistently. However, we were disappointed with the timing of the trip. The captain left the dock about 15 minutes late because he needed to get fuel, and then we returned about 5 minutes early. Since this was a 4-hour charter and the trip cost nearly $900, we felt the time should have been made up so that we received the full amount we paid for. Fishing can always be hit or miss, and we understand that part, but getting the full charter time is something we expected. The crew was pleasant, but the shortened trip left us feeling a bit shorted for the price Just something to take into consideration is all -Dave
Response from Captain
March 12, 2026
Thx!
Michael Bevis
Michael Bevis
us
Alaska, US
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
New
Excellent Experience!!
6 Hour Trip on May 25, 20262 adults
Capt. John and the Skillet are my go-to for Kona sportfishing now! Had an off day for the bite, but the experience was outstanding. Top notch equipment, extremely knowledgeable and I will definitely be back!!
Response from Captain
May 28, 2026
Hi Michael. Thank you very much for your really nice review. I really appreciate it. I’m sorry the fish didn’t cooperate but it was still a pleasure taking you and your party out fishing and spending the day with you.
Steve Eiler
Steve Eiler
Repeat angler
us
Wisconsin, US
Member since 2026
2 trips
1
5.0
Verified
Extremely clean and organized , comfortable and friendly
6 Hour Trip on March 6, 20264 adults
I’ve chartered more than a dozen boats in pursuit of pelagic fish.This boat(Skillet)is the best cared boat I’ve been on.Captain John is meticulous and keeps the boat spotless and ready to fish. All tackle is top rate and organized . My wife and daughter were very comfortable and we would have had a great time even if we didn’t catch a fish, but we did!
Response from Captain
March 8, 2026
Hi Steve. Thank you for the great review and thank you for booking twice. It was a pleasure taking you and your family out fishing. You guys were such an easygoing family that were really easy to talk to and spend the day with. Congratulations on your spearfish and we’re looking forward to the next time!

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Group Size:
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June 2026
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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4 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip multiple starting times (6:30 AM, 1:00 PM)
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US $975
Entire boat: up to 6 people
6 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 6:30 AM
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US $1,200
Entire boat: up to 6 people
8 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 6:30 AM
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US $1,400
Entire boat: up to 6 people
There are 23 people looking at this charter.

Rating

4.9
409 reviews
4.9
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (343)

What anglers say

96%
Great experience
85%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
97%
Recommended
67%
Caught fish

All reviews (409)

Filter
Showing 15 of 409 reviews
Robyn Miller
Robyn Miller
Repeat angler
us
Washington State, US
Member since 2018
3 trips
1
5.0
Verified
AMAZING!
8 Hour Trip on March 19, 20265 adults
Amazing experience. Highly recommend. Captain John was knowledgeable & helped us catch a 750lb Marlin. We also caught 2 spearfish. Deion was a fantastic deck hand and very supportive. This was a great trip for both experienced & novices. They were so funny, and kept us laughing throughout the trip. The weather wasn’t cooperating with the original date we booked, Captain John was wonderful about working with us to find another time during our stay in Hawaii.
Reported catch:
Blue Marlin
Shortbill Spearfish
Response from Captain
March 22, 2026
Hi Robyn. Thank you for the great review! It was such a pleasure taking your family out fishing. Congratulations on the two spearfish and the 750 lb marlin they caught! Until next time!
Joel  DAVIS
Joel DAVIS
us
Missouri, US
Member since 2024
3
5.0
Verified
Beautiful Ono
4 Hour Trip on September 11, 20252 adults
We had an incredible morning on the water with Captain John and his crew. From the moment we stepped on board, they made the trip feel special with their great storytelling, humor, and deep knowledge of the ocean. They kept us entertained and engaged the whole time, turning the trip into more than just fishing—it was an experience. The real highlight came when my wife hooked into a beautiful Ono. The crew’s excitement and encouragement made the catch even more memorable. Later, we prepared the fresh Ono into amazing blackened fish tacos with mango salsa—hands down one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Captain John and his team go above and beyond to create not just a fishing trip, but a lasting memory. Highly recommend them if you want a fun, professional, and unforgettable day on the water!
Response from Captain
September 16, 2025
Hi Joel. Thank you for the great review. You and your wife were such a pleasure to take fishing. Congratulations on your wife’s Ono! We’re glad you enjoyed it.
David Silva
David Silva
ca
Edmonton, AB, Canada
Member since 2026
0
4.3
Verified
Fishing with John
4 Hour PM Trip on March 9, 20262 adults
Hey John hopefully the weather is getting better for you guys I didn't want to post this on a public review for you but just a quick note of what myself and my father in law thought The crew was friendly and professional, and we appreciated how nice everyone was throughout the trip. The boat and gear were good, and the mate worked consistently. However, we were disappointed with the timing of the trip. The captain left the dock about 15 minutes late because he needed to get fuel, and then we returned about 5 minutes early. Since this was a 4-hour charter and the trip cost nearly $900, we felt the time should have been made up so that we received the full amount we paid for. Fishing can always be hit or miss, and we understand that part, but getting the full charter time is something we expected. The crew was pleasant, but the shortened trip left us feeling a bit shorted for the price Just something to take into consideration is all -Dave
Response from Captain
March 12, 2026
Thx!
Michael Bevis
Michael Bevis
us
Alaska, US
Member since 2026
0
5.0
Verified
New
Excellent Experience!!
6 Hour Trip on May 25, 20262 adults
Capt. John and the Skillet are my go-to for Kona sportfishing now! Had an off day for the bite, but the experience was outstanding. Top notch equipment, extremely knowledgeable and I will definitely be back!!
Response from Captain
May 28, 2026
Hi Michael. Thank you very much for your really nice review. I really appreciate it. I’m sorry the fish didn’t cooperate but it was still a pleasure taking you and your party out fishing and spending the day with you.
Steve Eiler
Steve Eiler
Repeat angler
us
Wisconsin, US
Member since 2026
2 trips
1
5.0
Verified
Extremely clean and organized , comfortable and friendly
6 Hour Trip on March 6, 20264 adults
I’ve chartered more than a dozen boats in pursuit of pelagic fish.This boat(Skillet)is the best cared boat I’ve been on.Captain John is meticulous and keeps the boat spotless and ready to fish. All tackle is top rate and organized . My wife and daughter were very comfortable and we would have had a great time even if we didn’t catch a fish, but we did!
Response from Captain
March 8, 2026
Hi Steve. Thank you for the great review and thank you for booking twice. It was a pleasure taking you and your family out fishing. You guys were such an easygoing family that were really easy to talk to and spend the day with. Congratulations on your spearfish and we’re looking forward to the next time!

FAQs about Skillet Sportfishing

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
32 ft
Year built
2004
Boat manufacturer
Topaz
Boat type
Sportfishing
Engine model
Cummins
Powered by
2 x 370HP
Max cruising speed
20 knots
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