Charter Operator
Silky Sportfishing

Member since August 2016 Kailua-Kona, United States
Background
Captain John Bagwell has been fishing for big game since 1970. Having started his career in Daytona Beach, Florida, in the early 1970s, he has since then traveled extensively around the famous fisheries of the East Coast, the Bahamas, Mexico's Yucatan Penninsula, and now Hawaii. With a career that began with fishing in North Carolina with sportifshing legends such as Buddy Cannady, Sam Stokes, Omu Tillett, Buddy Davis, and Sonny Briggs, he continues to provide top of the range sportfishing adventures forty years on. John has been living in Kona since 1998 and enjoys the unparalleled year round Blue Marlin and Tuna fishery that the area provides. For the past 10 years, he has been working with Captain Dave Bensko, so one of these two amazing Captains will be taking you out.

Hey, it's Silky Sportfishing

Kailua-Kona, United States
Background
Captain John Bagwell has been fishing for big game since 1970. Having started his career in Daytona Beach, Florida, in the early 1970s, he has since then traveled extensively around the famous fisheries of the East Coast, the Bahamas, Mexico's Yucatan Penninsula, and now Hawaii. With a career that began with fishing in North Carolina with sportifshing legends such as Buddy Cannady, Sam Stokes, Omu Tillett, Buddy Davis, and Sonny Briggs, he continues to provide top of the range sportfishing adventures forty years on. John has been living in Kona since 1998 and enjoys the unparalleled year round Blue Marlin and Tuna fishery that the area provides. For the past 10 years, he has been working with Captain Dave Bensko, so one of these two amazing Captains will be taking you out.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.7 / 5
(299 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 3 bookings in the past week.
Trips from US $890

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 299 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (330)
Big boat and knowledgable crew
Big boat and knowledgable crew
Big boat and knowledgable crew
+327
Angler rating
237
37
17
3
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
85%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
90%
Appropriate for children
86%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish
61%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 299 reviews
Michael R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Big boat and knowledgable crew

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on April 7, 2026
We were 3 adults and a 9 year old boy who really wanted to catch a fish. The boat was bigger than we expected. The crew seemed...
Michael R. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Michael R. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Aaron G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Family of 5 fishing experience

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on March 23, 2026
The boat was plenty big to accommodate our group. Thunderstorms rolled in halfway through our trip, but that didnโ€™t stop...
Aaron G. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Aaron G. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Leeuwin I.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall
Me and best mate had a blast on silky!, Dave and Clayton are great for chats & laughs, knowledgeable and well set up. Boat...
Leeuwin I. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Leeuwin I. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Kimberlee S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Always a fun time!

VERIFIED   NEW  3/4 Day Trip on May 20, 2026
this wa sour swcond outing with silky and tjough we disnt catch any fish this time the say was beautiful and the crew was friendly....
Kimberlee S. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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  Silky Sportfishing Charter Operator replied

Will S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Outstanding Family Charter

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on December 28, 2025
Our family booked this charter over our Christmas vacation in Kona. The Captain and Mate are extremely experienced and masters...
Will S. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Will S. recommends Silky Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful