Tantrum Sportfishing
Charter operator

Tantrum Sportfishing

Kailua-Kona, United States
10+ reviews
Nick Durham is originally from Sydney, Australia. He cut his chops by crewing on many of the top boats on the Great Barrier Reef and then spent years being a full-time crew for many of the elite boats in Kona. After moving to Kona permanently. Worked full-time for three years on deck with Captain Jason Holtz before transitioning to full-time captain of Tantrum Fishing Experience Has Landed 30+ 800lb+ Blue/Black Marlin World and Australian records among them Experienced in light and heavy tackle Has parlayed his years of experience on deck into immediate success as a captain. Owner of Tantrum Lures Top captains and anglers use his lures globally Fishing with Nick is like attending a mini-Marlin fishing university Very engaging with you and your family while waiting for the next bite The Aussie accent never gets old.
Nick D.
Nick D.
Captain
Keri W.
Keri W.
Business partner

Charter

Rating

5.0
24 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

All reviews (24)

Showing 15 of 24 reviews
  • Chuck Parks
    Chuck Parks
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2023
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    AMAZING FISHING TRIP

    Full Day Trip2 adults

    I had never caught a Blue Marlin. My wife and I booked the Tantrum. Not only did I catch my first one but we caught three. Captain Nick Durham and First Mate Joe Byrum were great. They definitely know what they are doing. They worked very hard all day to get us hooked up with fish. I’m telling you they never let up. They worked at it. They were also very kind and fun to be around. The boat was also top knotch. It had an awesome cabin and a great bathroom which my wife was very appreciative of. Overall it was one if the best fishing days of my life. Even if we hadn’t of caught a fish it would if been a great day. Thank you Nick and Joe. Book the Tantrum!!

  • Yifan Lu
    Yifan Lu
    Repeat angler
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2020
    22 trips
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Marlin chasing To-be-continued

    3/4 Day Trip2 adults

    One of the nicest fishing boats out there, with elite technology and an extremely knowledgeable crew. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a single bite across two 6-hour trips, but with Hurricane Lala having just passed through, the conditions may have been a bit stirred up. That’s fishing sometimes! Joe and Dan tried hard, still had a great experience learning from them, and hopefully I’ll be back someday to catch my dream fish—a marlin.

  • Gary Lavallee
    Gary Lavallee
    us
    Massachusetts, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Fish with the Professionals - One of the Best Capt and Mate Teams Ever!

    3/4 Day Trip2 adults

    If you have fished and chartered boats as long as we have over the years, you realize in awe when you watch the actions of a Capt and Mate in unison alll day long. This IS a Professional Marlin FishingTeam in action! Even though we didn't charter during a tournament, someone forgot to tell Capt Nick and First Mate Joe, as they just worked hard all day long to grab us two nice Stripe Marlins in a relativily slow bite period. Joe m the Mate, is one of the hardest working first mates I have been assoiciated with as he continually scanned the spread and successfully dropped back and caught us 2 out of 3 Marlin bites. Something a lazy Mate could not have accomplished. He was talkative and filled the whole day of his fishing experiances from the Outer Banks, Azores, St Thomas and Tahiti, This Mate is the real deal and his knowledge and actions backed it up! Capt Nick is a gem of a nice guy. Both make you feel beyond comfortable. Boat is is nice and clean, and the Air Conditioned Salon is awesome to duck out of the hot sun for a few minutes. Without a doubt, our next trip to KONA would include a couple trips on the Tantrum - these guys are the real deal! GWL

  • Jeffery Martuzzo
    Jeffery Martuzzo
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Sunny day with an Ahi on top

    Full Day Trip4 adults1 child

    Went for a full-day charter with Tantrum Sportfishing. As can happen with any fishing, we thought we were going to come up with empty hands. Even then, we were in great spirits and having fun on a beautiful boat, trolling along the beautiful Kona Coast. Had a great crew who were being just as attentive to the fish as they were to my family. In the last hour of the charter, they got another hit on the screen. Captain Joe quickly locked in, stopped talking, took two passes over top, but lost them on the screen, he took one last swipe in front of where he thought they were. After 8 hours of nothing, FISH ON! My 16yo hopped in the seat, having never been before, fought hard for 30 minutes, and was able to finally land this beast of an animal: a 150lb ahi tuna. Core memory created! Funny story, when your son is on his forst big fish ever, dont hit take photo instead of record video on thr GoPro you set up earlier. Thank you, Hawaii, for your bounty, as well as Captain Joe and 1st mate Dan of Tantrum Sportfishing for the memories.

    Reported catch:
    Yellowfin Tuna
  • Julien Beaulieu Marchand
    Julien Beaulieu Marchand
    ca
    Quebec, Canada
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Fish on!!

    Full Day Trip3 adults

    Bucket list check ✅. it was an amazing trip, from A to Z the crew was so nice, the boat is awesome Easy peasy make your journey as you wish. It was my first time in Hawaii , I always dream to catch a big Fish. With Tantrum my dream come true! Couple hours pass without a bite , you never know what the sea will offer you , We saw Pilot Whales, Dolphin, birds and suddenly ZaaaaaPPP!!!!! 1 Mahi Mahi 2 Mahi mahi! Great fight, my heart was pumping fast , the thrill, the adrenaline while I was reeling the line and saw the fish jumping out everywhere I do recommend to take the 9 hours trip they are pro but sometimes it take time before the fish bite!

    Reported catch:
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Response from Charter operator

    Wow, what an awesome review — thank you so much for sharing this! We’re thrilled your first Deep Sea Fishing in Kona adventure checked off a bucket list dream. You nailed it — sometimes the wait makes that first bite even sweeter! We’re so glad you got to experience the excitement of those mahi mahi, plus the whales and dolphins along the way. It was our pleasure having you aboard Tantrum, and we’d love to welcome you back anytime for another unforgettable day on the water!

Real catches shared by our community

  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    AMAZING FISHING TRIP
    Chuck P.
    Chuck P.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    Fish with the Professionals - One of the Best Capt and Mate Teams Ever!
    Gary L.
    Gary L.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    Sunny day with an Ahi on top
    Jeffery M.
    Jeffery M.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    Fish on!!
    Julien B.
    Julien B.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    Great fishing!
    Bambi R.
    Bambi R.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    Great crew, great boat, great gear.
    Wayne W.
    Wayne W.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    Awesome
    David H.
    David H.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    These guys are fantastic!
    Renee C.
    Renee C.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    Epic 3/4 day trip
    Steve H.
    Steve H.
  • Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter
    Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service CharterKailua-Kona, HI
    Best Kona Fishing Trip
    Melvin M.
    Melvin M.

What's biting with Tantrum Sportfishing – Full-Service Charter in Kailua-Kona

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.

Top catches for September