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
(288 reviews)
Kailua-Kona
 Last booking: 1 day ago
Trips from US $790

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 288 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (321)
Outstanding Family Charter
Outstanding Family Charter
Outstanding Family Charter
+318
Angler rating
230
35
16
3
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
86%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
91%
Appropriate for children
87%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish
62%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 288 reviews
Paul M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Excellent fishing experience!!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on March 30, 2025
On our first fishing trip my 10-year-old son caught a gorgeous 300lb blue marlin, the captain and crew were so professional...
Paul M. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Paul M. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Ashraf S.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

January fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip on January 9, 2026
Ashraf S. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Ashraf S. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Eugene M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with John

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 19, 2025
Great crew know their business, I would recommend this charter
Eugene M. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Eugene M. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Mark J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great fishing trip.

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 7, 2025
He worked very hard to catch fish and make us comfortable.
Mark J. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Mark J. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Cody O.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Skipjack Tuna for Dinner!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on May 20, 2025
Caught 2 skipjack tuna on a very slow day. Capt Dave and Clay were great. Plenty of tuna meat in the two fish to feed...
Cody O. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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Cody O. recommends Silky Sportfishing
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