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, we're 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
(283 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 3 bookings in the past week.
Trips from US $790

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 283 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (317)
Beautiful waters and fish!!
Beautiful waters and fish!!
Beautiful waters and fish!!
+314
Angler rating
225
35
16
3
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
86%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
90%
Appropriate for children
86%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish
63%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 283 reviews
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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Michelle & Mike Hains
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Silky Smooth Day on the water

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on October 7, 2025
we had a great day on the water as a family of 4.ย  fhe captian and William were extremely friendly and made us all feel comfortable...
Michelle & Mike Hains recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Michelle & Mike Hains recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Shellie S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing Experience

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on August 10, 2025
Dave and Clayton were wonderful! The crew was very friendly and helpful walking us through the day and prepping us. We spent...
Shellie S. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Lori A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fish werenโ€™t biting, BUT still an amazing experience!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on July 8, 2025
Although we didnโ€™t catch any fish (and my daughter being seasick the entire time), Captain John and his assistant Clayton,...
Lori A. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
Lori A. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

Johnathan M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great captian and crew!

VERIFIED   NEW  Big Island half day on December 12, 2025
We tried all day never stopped trying, they are very experienced and know what they are doing. they accomidated me and my family...
Johnathan M. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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