Kailua-Kona

22 Fishing Charters

Kailua-Kona Fishing Charters

Search top fishing charters in Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona: 22 fishing charters available
Excellent
4.6 / 5
(328 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $750
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(101 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $838
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(10 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $1,200
Excellent
4.5 / 5
(67 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $700
Excellent
4.2 / 5
(169 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $400
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(78 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
trips from $750
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(169 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
trips from $790
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(7 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $900
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(13 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
trips from $851
Excellent
4.6 / 5
(63 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
trips from $775

Frequently Asked Questions about Fishing Charters in Kailua-Kona

According to customer reviews, Konadice Sportfishing, Skillet Sportfishing, and Beast Mode Sportfishing are some of the most popular fishing charters in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Full list of top fishing charters in Kailua-Kona.

The average price for a private 4 hour Kailua-Kona fishing trip is $768, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $958 based on prices on FishingBooker.com.

Konadice Sportfishing, Skillet Sportfishing, and Beast Mode Sportfishing all received great reviews from families who booked fishing trips in Kailua-Kona.

The most popular fish species you can target are Blue Marlin, Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), and Yellowfin Tuna. Top fishing techniques include Heavy Tackle, Trolling, and Deep Sea Fishing. Offshore fishing, nearshore fishing, and reef fishing are commonly offered by local guides.

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
Excellent
4.2 / 5
Based on 26691 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

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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Bring plenty of drinks, take your anti nausea pills BEFORE you go out ( there are waves, it is the ocean afterall ) and prepare to have fun and catch fish. Enjoy the ride as well!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring plenty of drinks, take your anti nausea pills BEFORE you go out ( there are waves, it is the ocean afterall ) and prepare to have fun and catch fish. Enjoy the ride as well!
Edward  P.
Edward P. Mililani Town, Hawaii
Make sure you are clear on exactly where you are meeting. We made a mistake, but was all on me.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure you are clear on exactly where you are meeting. We made a mistake, but was all on me.
Jeremy  F.
Jeremy F.
Blue waters and calm seas in May. Blue marlin are just showing up and many other species are possible.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Blue waters and calm seas in May. Blue marlin are just showing up and many other species are possible.
Joseph  B.
Joseph B. San Diego, CA
Know what you want to catch, whether you want to keep any fish and let the captain know ahead of time. We did and were very happy with the level of effort the captain exhibited.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Know what you want to catch, whether you want to keep any fish and let the captain know ahead of time. We did and were very happy with the level of effort the captain exhibited.
Ray  K.
Ray K. Los Alamos, NM
Be patient. It's called fishing, not catching, for a reason. Good luck to everyone who goes out.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be patient. It's called fishing, not catching, for a reason. Good luck to everyone who goes out.
Rusty  P.
Rusty P.
Follow instructions by crew and have a great time. They're there to help all the way through the fight, of a fish and to give you an awesome experience.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Follow instructions by crew and have a great time. They're there to help all the way through the fight, of a fish and to give you an awesome experience.
Bruce  T.
Bruce T. Riverbank, CA
Just get out there! Book ahead of time - they fill up quickly. It is great fishing conditions most days, and any bad weather tends to blow through quickly. I was there 12 days, and could have fished every day with no problems. Bring your own food and drink, but dont get drunk - if you aren't used to the water, you will likely get sick if you are drunk.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Just get out there! Book ahead of time - they fill up quickly. It is great fishing conditions most days, and any bad weather tends to blow through quickly. I was there 12 days, and could have fished every day with no problems. Bring your own food and drink, but dont get drunk - if you aren't used to the water, you will likely get sick if you are drunk.
Ray  W.
Ray W. Arvada, CO
Don't expect to catch something, expect to have a great time on the water, then if you do catch something......Bonus!!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Don't expect to catch something, expect to have a great time on the water, then if you do catch something......Bonus!!!
Adrienne  A.
Adrienne A. Durango, CO
Just like fishing anywhere. Thereโ€™s a reason they call it fishing and.not catchingโ€ฆ. Lol. Itโ€™s still a great time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Just like fishing anywhere. Thereโ€™s a reason they call it fishing and.not catchingโ€ฆ. Lol. Itโ€™s still a great time.
Jeff  L.
Jeff L. United States
You are able to have lines in the water right out of the harbor. Beautiful scenery. Great place to fish
Excellent
5.0 / 5
You are able to have lines in the water right out of the harbor. Beautiful scenery. Great place to fish
Hank  A.
Hank A. Bellingham, WA
Experience is awesome just make sure what time of year you go and remember that itโ€™s called fishing not catching.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience is awesome just make sure what time of year you go and remember that itโ€™s called fishing not catching.
Michael  M.
Michael M. Columbia, SC
Enjoy the ride. Keep expectations low, no stress and hope for the magic. When it happens, everyone wins!
Very good
4.0 / 5
Enjoy the ride. Keep expectations low, no stress and hope for the magic. When it happens, everyone wins!
Gene  M.
Gene M. Costa Mesa, CA
Sit back and enjoy the adventure. The catch cannot be guaranteed, but the memories can
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Sit back and enjoy the adventure. The catch cannot be guaranteed, but the memories can
Linda  C.
Linda C. Glens Falls, NY
Depends on the day, for fishing, but you could not ask for a better captain. regardless of fish. Great price for private time. We will request him again.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Depends on the day, for fishing, but you could not ask for a better captain. regardless of fish. Great price for private time. We will request him again.
Joanie  H.
Joanie H. Omaha, Nebraska
Hit up captain jim he will go out of his way to make sure u catch some fish one of the best fishing trips I have been on !
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Hit up captain jim he will go out of his way to make sure u catch some fish one of the best fishing trips I have been on !
Joseph  L.
Joseph L. Niwot, CO
You can win big or not see anything. Its fishing bit the reward is worth the chance.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
You can win big or not see anything. Its fishing bit the reward is worth the chance.
Andre  B.
Andre B. Honolulu, Hawaii
It was a good trip (more for adults). Wouldโ€™ve liked to have the kids throw some lines in the water but difficult to do when trolling. Great experience when hooking a marlin and seeing it fly out of the water!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was a good trip (more for adults). Wouldโ€™ve liked to have the kids throw some lines in the water but difficult to do when trolling. Great experience when hooking a marlin and seeing it fly out of the water!
Lynn  B.
Lynn B. Honolulu, Hawaii
Yes! We went out twice, on two half day trips. The first trip we didn't even get a bite but that is fishing! Sometimes you don't. The boys really wanted to try again so we booked a second half day trip and both boys each caught a fish. So fun but know you have to be patient!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Yes! We went out twice, on two half day trips. The first trip we didn't even get a bite but that is fishing! Sometimes you don't. The boys really wanted to try again so we booked a second half day trip and both boys each caught a fish. So fun but know you have to be patient!
Tracy  V.  O.
Tracy V. O. Saint Paul, MN

Mariah Sportfishing โ€“ We Catch More
Mariah Sportfishing โ€“ We Catch More
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Very good
4.0 / 5
(169 reviews)
Fun trip. Captain was nice. Enjoyed the view and boat. Didn't catch anything but nice experience to try out.
Andrew  W.
Andrew W. Orange, CA
Silky Sportfishing
Silky Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(169 reviews)
We took the whole family out while on vacation. Despite a couple of sea sick members of the family everyone had an amazing time due to the energetic and attentive crew. William was there whenever anyone needed anything from a bottle of water/beer to help around the boat. We hooked up to a nice sized blue marlin and left with nothing but smiles! Canโ€™t wait for our next trip out on Silky!
Samuel  C.
Samuel C. Kaneohe, Hawaii
Skillet Sportfishing
Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(101 reviews)
The most comfortable and clean offshore boat I have ever been on! John was fantastic and so was Kam his mate. Very personable, told great stories and fun to be around. You will not regret booking with Skillet!
Mark  W.
Mark W. San Antonio, TX
Konadice Sportfishing
Konadice Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(328 reviews)
Had a blast, caught 5 Skipjack Tuna, Brandon fileted them for us. Very nice crew and trip.
Edward  P.
Edward P. Mililani Town, Hawaii
Silky Sportfishing
Silky Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Very good
4.0 / 5
(169 reviews)
No landed fish today, sighโ€ฆbut captain Dave and William gave it their all. Unfortunately no fish today. (sigh) The port engine need a tune up. Exhaust from port engine got old with pretty bad fumes. They do have a part on order, and would go again with this crew.
Martin  P.
Martin P. Waimea, Hawaii
Mariah Sportfishing โ€“ We Catch More
Mariah Sportfishing โ€“ We Catch More
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(169 reviews)
Captain Jay was very professional. Boat was very clean we had a great time and would recommend for everyone to try.
Paul  W.
Paul W. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Skillet Sportfishing
Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
4.7 / 5
(101 reviews)
John and Cam were great to be on the boat with. They definitely make you feel welcome on the boat. Unfortunately, we got skunked, but thatโ€™s the nature of fishing. If Iโ€™m ever back in, or around Kona, I would not hesitate to book another trip with John. It was a beautiful day on the water.
Douglas  G.
Douglas G. Glendora, CA
Skillet Sportfishing
Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(101 reviews)
Captain Dan and Deckhand Cam were both great today. Fish were not biting but it definitely was not from lack of trying. They spent time talking to friends seeing where bites may be and looking for fish. Changed lures off and on trying to entice the fish in. Very friendly guys and did not get irritated by all the questions from a freshwater fisherman picking their brains! I definitely recommend this charter.
Jason  H.
Jason H. Honolulu, HI
Konadice Sportfishing
Konadice Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(328 reviews)
We had an awesome experience. Both guys were great and did an amazing job setting every line up. The fish werenโ€™t biting, but they were determined to get us somethingโ€ฆ and they did! My first catch. Iโ€™d highly recommend using them!
LANGLEY  M.
LANGLEY M. Lake Elmo, MN
Konadice Sportfishing
Konadice Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(328 reviews)
Great guys, knowledgeable and made the trip enjoyable for our family of 5!! Mixed up the action with skipjack tuna and a memorable 110# ahi yellowfin tuna within minutes of our trip ending!! Memories with our 3 boys for a lifetime โค๏ธ
Denise  A.
Denise A. Keauhou, Hawaii
Silky Sportfishing
Silky Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(169 reviews)
Great captain and mate if you want to chase marlin. Dave and William have to chops and skills to find the big ones. Priced fairly for an eight hour trip. Not a great boat for โ€œfamilyโ€ fun trips to just catch something. Highly recommended!
Joseph  B.
Joseph B. San Diego, CA
Tropical Sun Sportfishing
Tropical Sun Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(14 reviews)
Awesome trip, very nice boat as advertised with excellent gear! Captain and Kerry were great teachers and took time to explain everything and answered every questions we had to ask - hooked up with 3 blue marlin - got 2 to the boat and my family that caught them had a great time! You couldnโ€™t go wrong on tropical sun with Captain Ryan and Kerry
Mitch  L.
Mitch L. Mililani Town, Hawaii
Skillet Sportfishing
Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(101 reviews)
We had a wonderful trip with Skillet Sport fishing! We went on a 4 hour morning trip and caught one short billed spear fish! This was very exciting! We had a wonderful time talking with John and Dan. John was very responsive to all my questions and messages prior to the trip. We would absolutely do this again! Dan cut the fish up for us to take home at the end of the trip. This was a wonderful time, I definitely recommend using skillet sport fishing!
Riley  W.
Riley W. Roanoke, TX
Konadice Sportfishing
Konadice Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(328 reviews)
Good trip we caught several nice sized skip jacks. They put up a great fight and captain Jim knew just where to go to put us on the fish. We were also hoping to catch a yellow fin tuna or a marlin but itโ€™s about being in the right place at the right time. The captain also let us climb up to the top deck and enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean and the island coastline.
Brian  D.
Brian D. Hilo, Hawaii
High Noon Sport Fishing
High Noon Sport Fishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(63 reviews)
High Noon Fishing delivered! Captain Dave and Darren were great to work with from the start. Accommodating, welcoming and explained everything thoroughly. By the end of the trip, we caught a large Wahoo and a skipjack tuna. We also had a blue Marlin on, which was a thrill, but lost it. For a slow fishing month, we were thrilled with our results! We highly recommend High Noon fishing and crew, you don't go wrong!
Kathy  R.
Kathy R. Trafalgar, IN
Medusa Sportfishing
Medusa Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(78 reviews)
These guys are serious about getting fish. Jack, the first mate, cleaned and portioned the Wahoo we kept. You could tell this was not his first rodeo. Lance, the Captain, was very knowledgeable of the waters and used up to date fishing equipment. I would use them again in a heartbeat. Thanks for a wonderful experience.
Richard  M.
Richard M.
Konadice Sportfishing
Konadice Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(328 reviews)
Had to come back from fishing a few days prior. We were trying to catch a big boy. Caught 5 Aku and fished hard for yellowfin but it didnโ€™t find him. Did hit a triple on the Aku which was super cool. Crew still incredible and knowledgeable. Will definitely be back.
Evan  J.
Evan J. Batavia, OH
Skillet Sportfishing
Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(101 reviews)
First time offshore fishing for my son and I. Fishing was tough but crew was fantastic - really enjoyed ourselves.
Curtis  S.  M.
Curtis S. M. Ammon, ID
Skillet Sportfishing
Skillet Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(101 reviews)
Dan was FANTASTIC! We went through 40 miles of water. Got a couple of bites. This was always on our bucket list. The perfect trip
Kathy  B.
Kathy B. Pacific, MO
Konadice Sportfishing
Konadice Sportfishing
Fishing charter in Kailua-Kona
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(328 reviews)
Crew was helpful, friendly and constantly working on the next bite. Caught 5 Aku tuna and had a crazy experience with a dolphin stealing one fish. Great experience overall. Definitely recommend this charter.
Evan  J.
Evan J. Batavia, OH