Kailua-Kona Fishing Charters

The average price for a private 4 hour Kailua-Kona fishing trip is US $777, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you US $1,052 based on prices on FishingBooker.com.

Which fishing charters in Kailua-Kona are good for families?

Fishing charters in Kailua-Kona that received great reviews from families are:

What are the top fish species I can catch in Kailua-Kona?

The top 3 fish species targeted on guided fishing trips in Kailua-Kona are:

What are the top fishing techniques in Kailua-Kona?

The top 3 fishing techniques in Kailua-Kona are:

What are the top types of fishing in Kailua-Kona?

The top 3 types of fishing in Kailua-Kona are:

Do Kailua-Kona fishing charters provide rods, reels and tackle?

Many fishing charters in Kailua-Kona provide rods, reels and tackle. Some of the top rated are:

Who are the best rated captains in Kailua-Kona?

According to customer reviews on FishingBooker.com, some of the best rated charter captains in Kailua-Kona are:

Who are the top awarded captains in Kailua-Kona?

Who are the top awarded captains in Kailua-Kona?

What fishing trips are offered by fishing charters in Kailua-Kona?

Some of the fishing trips offered by fishing charters in Kailua-Kona are:

4-hour fishing trips – US $883
5-hour fishing trips – US $875
6-hour fishing trips – US $1,022
8-hour fishing trips – US $1,239
9-hour fishing trips – US $1,665
10-hour fishing trips – US $1,425

Fishing in Kailua-Kona

Kona Fishing is quite possibly the best in the world when it comes to Big Game. The sheer number of trophy pelagics that can be found here is staggering. On any given day, you may encounter Blue and Striped Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi), Wahoo (Ono), and Shortbilled Spearfish. And when we say on any given day, we mean it. The thing which makes Kona such a dream location is that all these species are present all year round.

Kona Marlin Fishing produces an average of two granders per year, where most top locations are proud to get one. The island chain’s only problem is the strong trade winds which can make the afternoons unfishable. Not so in Kona, though! Big Island’s mountains shield it from the worst of the winds, making for calm waters pretty much all the time. This makes it arguably the best Hawaiian island for fishing. The best of the best for big game sport fishing? Sign us up!

Known For

The thing that makes Kona deep sea fishing so productive is the fact that the sea floor drops so deep so quickly. Within ten minutes of leaving the dock you are fishing in 100 fathoms of water. This makes half day trips a viable option, and a very common one. Compare this to the mainland, where you need to travel 30 miles or more for even a glimpse of Billfish, and you start to see what all the buzz is about.

Kona fishing charters usually start trolling as soon as they leave the dock, with spots like Kaiwi Point allowing for what can only be called inshore Marlin fishing. It isn’t all just blind luck, though. Most local charter captains have been honing their skills for decades, and their boats are loaded with a serious amount of equipment. Fighting chairs, Tuna tubes, and custom tackle come as standard in this part of the world

If you are thinking of wintering in Hawaii this year, then lucky you! Striped Marlin peak in the depths of winter, as do Bigeye Tuna. February can be a particularly rewarding time to fish, with Striped Marlin, Shortbilled Spearfish, and Mahi Mahi all in their prime. The best time to target Blue Marlin in Kona is during the summer months of July and August. This is also peak time for Ahi and Ono, making for nothing short of an angler’s dream.

Unsurprisingly, the start of summer also kicks off tournament season. If you are thinking of signing up to a Kona fishing Tournament like the Kona Throwdown, you should expect some serious competition. Anglers from across the globe fly in to compete, and the prizes in some can be life-changing. Just deciding which one to take part in can be hard enough, with over a dozen Billfishing tournaments over the course of the summer.

Rules & Regulations

You do not need a license to fish in Hawaii, even when striking out on your own. All billfish can be kept, although most Kona charter boats prefer to tag and release. The sale of Billfish is also allowed in Hawaii, so some captains may want to keep even healthy fish to sell. The wisest policy is to talk to your captain before the charter, and agree on what will happen to your catch.

Types of Fishing

Unsurprisingly for a remote island chain, fishing has always been a massive part of the local culture. Many of the techniques used worldwide were first pioneered here. Jet head lures were created by a Kona angler drilling holes in some metal to tempt in Tuna. The world laughed when Hawaiians started making lures for Marlin, thinking live bait the only option. Nowadays, targeting Billfish on lures or flies is all the rage, and nowhere will you find it mastered better than in Kona.

The most common method of big game fishing in Kona is using a wide trolling spread of artificials. This allows you to vary your lures if you don’t mind what you catch, or focus on one species to really draw them in. Specialist Marlin, Ahi, and Ono lures are discussed at length in the Kona fishing scene, and you will usually find plenty of each onboard. Using live Skipjack is also a common option, although smaller, pre-caught bait is very rare.

Heavy tackle is the go-to option for Billfish on most charters, and somewhere in the 80 to 130-pound range is the most common. The best Kona fishing charters will have a range of light and fly tackle available too, though. Bait and switch is very common here for ambitious record-setters - Kona has produced IGFA records for Spearfish on tackle as light as four pounds in recent years!

Kailua-Kona

4.6 / 5

Based on 28666 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

Kailua-Kona Fishing Seasons

January

The year kicks off in a fury of breaching Striped Marlin and hard-fighting Mahi. It This makes fishing Kona in January irresistible to many, and it's not surprising this is peak high season.

February

Spearfish start to hit their hit their prime and Striped Marlin and Mahi are on top form, too. If there is a better way to ward off the winter blues than trolling offshore in a sunny 75 degrees, no-one has told us!

March

In most top sport fishing destinations, March is a slow month, but not in Kona. The big winter three are still at their best, and tourist high season is tapering off, leaving the best fishing grounds open.

April

April sees the transition from winter species to summer species, with Striped Marlin slowing down and big Ono taking their place. The thing that makes Kona so special, though, is that you never know what you will hook!

May

There must be some important event beneath the waves in May. Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin, Spearfish, Ahi, Ono, and Mahi Mahi all come together in big numbers this time of year. Enough said.

June

June marks the start of tournament season, with four different Billfishing tournaments taking place in one month. It's not very surprising, with six top pelagic species waiting in force just out of port.

July

There's only one fish on everyone's mind in July: Blue Marlin. This is the best time of year, and one of the best places in the world to target them. There are also big Ahi and Ono if you somehow get bored of Billfish.

August

Blue Marlin, Ahi, and Ono are all on top form, so get out there! Skipjack Tuna are also around in big numbers this time of year, making it perfect for those who prefer live bait.

September

The summer madness starts to wind down in September, and tournaments season draws to a close. This can still be a great time for Blue Marlin, though, and you won't be fighting for space to target them.

October

October is one of the cheapest times to visit Hawaii, and Kona always has great fishing! If you fancy some time on dry land, you can visit Kona's Food and Wine Festival to taste some local delicacies.

November

There may not be the same number of Billfish around in November, but Bigeye Tuna arrive in force. These are some of the tastiest fish out there, so you will find you have lots of new friends if you bag one!

December

Dream of spending the winter fishing in shorts? Kona is the place for you. December is peak season for Bigeye Tuna, making both the perfect present and the best dinner. Happy Holidays indeed!

Kailua-Kona Fishing Calendar

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What anglers said about fishing in Kailua-Kona

Go out with an open mind and enjoy the time on the water! It’s beautiful and peaceful even if the catching isn’t going how you’d like!

5.0 / 5

Go out with an open mind and enjoy the time on the water! It’s beautiful and peaceful even if the catching isn’t going how you’d like!

Silky Sportfishing

If you have anyone within your party who may get seasick, be sure to take some sort of dramamine the evening before. Do not wait until you get on the boat. The crew was extremely understanding.

4.7 / 5

If you have anyone within your party who may get seasick, be sure to take some sort of dramamine the evening before. Do not wait until you get on the boat. The crew was extremely understanding.

Silky Sportfishing

Not a ton of bites the day we went out, but the bite we caught was a big one! Short-billed spearfish :-)

5.0 / 5

Not a ton of bites the day we went out, but the bite we caught was a big one! Short-billed spearfish :-)

A'u Struck Sportfishing

You may want to have some medicine for seasickness. Otherwise take your family and have a good time.

5.0 / 5

You may want to have some medicine for seasickness. Otherwise take your family and have a good time.

Makana Lani Fishing

You are booking a fish trip for a trophy fish; not everytime are you going to hook up. I personally have gone on 3 charter trips and this is the only one that ended in success. Its a great way to see the island and hear stories as well.

5.0 / 5

Reel Escapes Hawaii

Find the crew at Fire Hatt. They are super professional and friendly. We brought our four- and six-year-olds. They might have been a bit too young. I think it might be better for, maybe, an 8-year-old or 10-year-old. Sean and Jason were great with our little kids, but the boys struggled a bit with four hours on the boat. But, all in all, it was a great experience for the adults.

5.0 / 5

Fire Hatt Sportfishing Charters

Make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen. Pack a small cooler of your favorite drinks and some snacks for the trip. Not every time you will catch something but that’s why they call it fishing not catching.

5.0 / 5

Makana Lani Fishing

Bring food, listen to music and enjoy the boat ride until you catch a fish.

5.0 / 5

Bring food, listen to music and enjoy the boat ride until you catch a fish.

Beast Mode Sportfishing

Just go in with an open mind and know you might not catch fish but enjoy the day regardless

5.0 / 5

Just go in with an open mind and know you might not catch fish but enjoy the day regardless

Skillet Sportfishing

Really fun, just go into it understanding that the fish fight hard and that you may not catch anything.

5.0 / 5

Really fun, just go into it understanding that the fish fight hard and that you may not catch anything.

A'u Struck Sportfishing

Just remember, it’s fishing, not catching sometimes you don’t always catch one.

5.0 / 5

Just remember, it’s fishing, not catching sometimes you don’t always catch one.

Reel Escapes Hawaii

There is everything here in kona. Shore casting, bottom fishing , wahoo, dorado, tuna, its a heck of a fishing ground. While you cant always target a specific species with absolute success there is always something swimming in the neighborhood.

5.0 / 5

Ocean Blue Kona Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Book with Kona Dice, great knowledge and they will put you on a fish. The captain and first mate work their tails off and make this the best possible decision.

5.0 / 5

Book with Kona Dice, great knowledge and they will put you on a fish. The captain and first mate work their tails off and make this the best possible decision.

Konadice Sportfishing

Manage expectations, it’s not a guarantee. Work for it, it’s fishing, not catching.

5.0 / 5

Manage expectations, it’s not a guarantee. Work for it, it’s fishing, not catching.

Silky Sportfishing

Definitely book a 6 or more hour trip, gives you plenty of time and opportunity for a good catch!

5.0 / 5

Definitely book a 6 or more hour trip, gives you plenty of time and opportunity for a good catch!

Silky Sportfishing

Fishing in Kona is not always catching fish, sometimes it is just a long boat ride. The weather is usually great though.

5.0 / 5

Fishing in Kona is not always catching fish, sometimes it is just a long boat ride. The weather is usually great though.

Konadice Sportfishing

Your best chance is a full day. The longer your hook is in the water, the better your odds :)

5.0 / 5

Your best chance is a full day. The longer your hook is in the water, the better your odds :)

Reel Escapes Hawaii

If you're looking to land a trophy, Kailua-Kona is the place. But if you're a large group, looking catch a lot of fish this probably not the location.

5.0 / 5

If you're looking to land a trophy, Kailua-Kona is the place. But if you're a large group, looking catch a lot of fish this probably not the location.

Reel Escapes Hawaii

Beautiful, warm days on the water! Fishing was slower than other months but you’re still chasing fish and enjoying beautiful views. Pick the right crew and any day is memorable.

5.0 / 5

Beautiful, warm days on the water! Fishing was slower than other months but you’re still chasing fish and enjoying beautiful views. Pick the right crew and any day is memorable.

Reel Escapes Hawaii

Patience. You will spend a lot of time trolling around, but when you do hook up, it is pure excitement.

5.0 / 5

Patience. You will spend a lot of time trolling around, but when you do hook up, it is pure excitement.

Reel Escapes Hawaii

How did anglers rate fishing charters in Kailua-Kona?

Reel Escapes Hawaii
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(92 reviews)

Highly recommend Reel Escapes. The whole team is terrific, the equipment is top-notch, and the experience is one to remember. On my six-hour trip, we caught a wahoo and a shortbill spearfish, and we also saw some pilot whales. Book them now!

Foster S.

Reel Escapes Hawaii
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(92 reviews)

We had a great day with William and Rooster and even though the fish didn’t bite today we had a great day on the boat.

Dennis S.

Konadice Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(435 reviews)

Had a great day on the water with Jim on the Kona dice my wife and i caught some great fish.

John M.

Reel Escapes Hawaii
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(92 reviews)

Had a wonderful afternoon out on the water. We caught a short billed spearfish and had a blast out on the water with my family. Capt. Brent was great to work with from the minute I booked the trip till he brought us back to shore.

Nick M.

Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(214 reviews)

John and Dave were great to spend a day with. We caught 3 Wahoo and a swordfish. Recommend Skillet Sport Fishing very highly.

David S.

Reel Escapes Hawaii
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(92 reviews)

We caught fish and learned a lot about the fishing in Hawaii. The crew was awesome and helpful. 10/10 would recommend Reel Escapes for your fishing trip in Kona

Garrin J.

Reel Escapes Hawaii
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(92 reviews)

We caught two fish on our trip with the crew today, it truly was a Reel Escape! The crew was awesome and so helpful and informative. Really learned a lot on this trip out and planning to do a second on our next trip! 10/10

Garrin J.

Silky Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(222 reviews)

Had a great experience today! Caught two marlin, one stripped and one blue marlin. Captain and crew were great. If we are ever back here again, will definitely go out on another charter!

Ryan S.

Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(5 reviews)

My wife and I chartered Tantrum Sportfishing for a full day and it was an amazing experience. Capt. Nick was great and the deck crew, Mitch and Ryan were a pleasure to fish with. They were all super knowledgeable and eager at explain what they were doing to catch big game fish off Kona. It was a tremendous experience, can’t wait to get back to Kona and charter them again!

Mark C.

Reel Escapes Hawaii
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(92 reviews)

Good boat, experienced and friendly crew. We caught a nice size fish and my son had the best experience. 👍

Annemarie K.

Makana Lani Fishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(7 reviews)

We had a great outing. The crew made us feel welcome and comfortable. Swapped fishing stories. And helped us catch 2 awesome fish! They know their stuff and we enjoyed our time on the water, the views of the island, and the bonus pilot whales and two types of dolphins that they pointed out to us. Great day on a boat! 100% recommend.

Randall K.

Reel Escapes Hawaii
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(92 reviews)

We landed two Spearfish with Captain William and Rooster. The Charter is well ran. Great time on the boat!

Teri W.

Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(214 reviews)

My wife and I booked a 6 hour fishing trip with John on his boat Skillet. We had the best time out on the water with him and his son/deckhand Michael. We caught two fish and had a blast doing it. John’s a super cool dude with some fun stories and an all around great vibe. If you’re on the big island and you’re thinking about doing some fishing, you won’t be disappointed.

Cole W.

Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(214 reviews)

Captian John and Dave were amazing, such a great company! Professionalism seen in every minute of the trip. They worked hard to ensure we catch the fish of our lives! I very much recommend this trip, it is definitely worth booking with Captain John!

Anett D. J.

Silky Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(222 reviews)

We got to keep all of our catch! We got a 76” Short nose spearfish and a 72” & Hooked another!! Great Captain and crew. Beautiful Boat with excellent amenities. Will enjoy this charter again!!! Thank you so much!!!

Amy L.

Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(214 reviews)

We had the entire extended family in Kona to celebrate my wife's 60th Birthday Party. The husband decided to try catching fresh fish for the Birthday dinner. They did not disappoint, we caught more then enough fish and the crew gave us some great tips on how to prepare the fish for barbequing. Amazing experience and would recommend to anyone.

Gregory S. G.

Konadice Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(435 reviews)

Only had three bites today but caught two short nose spearfish of the Marlin family. Enjoyed the trip and Capt Mommi and first mate James who are very knowledgeable and they don’t mind working hard for their clients.

Ronald S.

Fire Hatt Sportfishing Charters
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(84 reviews)

Captain Sean and his First Mate Jay went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic day. Everyone in our party reeled in a catch and eating very well tonight. Highly recommend this boat and crew to anyone wanting a great day of fishing.

Angie F.

Medusa Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(104 reviews)

Crew was great and helpful, even if we hadn’t caught fish it would have been a amazing day.

Ryan F.

Maggie Joe Sportfishing – Maggie Joe
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona

5.0 / 5

(18 reviews)

Crew was fantastic caught 2 stripe marlin 2 spear fish had a giant blue marlin but came unhooked no fault of anyone that’s just the way it goes can’t say enough good things about this crew if your looking for boat to take you fishing in Kona these are your guys a lot of years of experience