What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii for the first time?

Catching fish is a bonus. It was explained to me this way my first time out; We are literally in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, (there just happens to be an island 3 miles from where we fish) It can certainly take time to cross paths with the fish. If you are a deer hunter, for example you don’t just go out for four hours. Typically hunting trips are multiple days. There are other variables as well such as: currents, tides time of year, etc.

We visited south point and saw much activity in the water there. Our fishing out of Kona was not super and I can't explain it. Calendars suggest it's pretty good in February. We hooked one marlin on a 3/4 day and didn't boat him. Might have just been our luck. At least the weather wasn't too hot, too rainy or too windy. I would contact the fishing captains to see how it's going before booking. I'm sure that if things are eh, they'll tell you. Posts on fishing booker should help too. Bring cold drinks and lunch if more than a half day. Sun protection clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen is absolutely necessary. Enjoy your fishing. You'll never ever catch anything if you don't get a hook in the water.

The bite this time of year may not be predictable. We went out about 36 hours after a storm, and there wasn't a lot of debris attracting bait in the water. Be prepared for the sun! Most sunblock needs to be applied every two hours, and 30 SPF may not be enough. Broad brimmed hats will work better than baseball caps. Boats with fishing towers have an advantage in terms of spotting breaking fish, flocks of birds, or floating debris that may attract bait and predator fish underneath them.

Kona is a special big game fishery. After talking to different captains and experiencing it firsthand, it's clear that this isn't a place for bottom fishing. Just a few miles out, you're in for some serious action. They don't mess around with small fish here. In fact, they call 150-pound Marlins 'rats' because they're considered small in these waters. Kona boasts a rich history of boats reeling in Granders (1,000lbs+ Blue Marlins). And that's exactly what we encountered. We headed out on a six-hour trip and trolled the whole time. Each fish put up a strong fight, and you really had to work hard to reel them in. We managed to hook two Spearfish and briefly had a 400-pound Blue Marlin on our line (unfortunately, we lost it). Billfish is typically released on most of the boats, and even when it isn't released, it goes to the boat. Other fish such as Wahoo and Mahi are given to the customer, and there are a few restaurants offering 'hook and cook'.

Hard to say. We got lucky. We had a great crew and time. We went with the expectation of just having a good boat ride with the hope we could land some fish. We got lucky. They did all they could to make it happen. Most of all be wary of the reviews. I wanted to fill my freezer and you get caught up reading negative peoples reviews on all the different charters. Even though there aren't many. Go out with the expectation for a great day on the ocean and if you are lucky like we were you might land some fish. Three out of 5 of us had zero experience but my out of town buddies have family that run commercial fishing boats on the east coast. Not that my friends did this but if you think you should be the captain or know more than the deck hand maybe a charter isn't a good idea. However. Captain Jim will allow you to leave the deck hand and run it yourself to a certain degree. Then you can blame yourself for catching nothing. I tried to get my buddy to be the deck hand and he just laughed. Point is just go to have a good time.

Even though February isn't the best month for catching a Marlin, it is still worth it for a great day on the ocean. Just go. It may be your turn. Last year we caught a couple of mahi-mahi. This year with a Blue and a skipjack, I am hooked.

This is my second time fishing off Kona and both times have been great. A beautiful Skip Jack tuna the first time and a 403 pound blue marlin the second time. Great area to fish and both very successful.

Remember, it's fishing, not always catching. Go with the attitude that you are going to have a great experience with an excellent chance of catching good fish. We've had trips where we caught Marlin, Mahi Mahi and/or Ono. I love catch and release, but you can't beat eating a good Ono. Always share your catch with the crew. You WILL have a fun day on the ocean with the Fire Hatt team.

We had an absolutely wonderful time! There were six of us and the guys were super helpful and attentive plus we caught two tuna ! We all wished we had another day to go again! We made a great memory! Thanks guys! See you next time for sure! B. O

I am an avid fisherman, so for me, catching a fish is always a fantastic experience, it doesn't matter what month it is, to experience fishing in the middle of the pacific ocean any time of the year is something that is difficult to explain. One needs to feel it. Highly recommend fishing here in Kailua-Kona any month of the year.

Do your home work and check out the charters. Talk to the captains before you book the trip. Be prepared for rough water, but most of all enjoy the experience. Remember it is called fishing not catching. The catching is a bonus.

This is ocean fishing at its best. If you want LOTS of action, pulling in MULTIPLE FISH with one cast.... Then this is it!!! No driving for hours looking for the elusive trophy The kids enjoy this experience SO MUCH MORE

There is no guarantee whenever you go out fishing. Trolling is all luck, no real skill involved. If they come up and eat the lure, you are good but as I said, there is no guarantee. Have fun. Worst thing is you had a very nice boat ride in some beautiful waters.

If you are looking for an amazing fishing experience in Kona I would definitely recommend Reel Escapes for your next adventure! The captain and deckhand made it very interactive and such a fun experience for us! We learned a lot about the island and the waters! If you can, I recommend booking the 6 or 8 hour charter! Definitely an experience we will never forget!

Different what I had read and heard, August fishing is primarily for Blue Marlin and large Yellowfin Tuna. Mahi Mahi aren’t in the picture and Ono seems iffy at best! Moreover, realize that a single catch in a day is fortunate, although more than one hookup is possible!

Water shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, positive attitude! Can take your catch to a local restaurant to have it prepared. Captain Jim even bought my wife and I a couple margaritas to go along with our meal.

Keep your group small if you are going for big fish. We only hooked into 2 fish and only brought in one of those. I would be disappointed if I were part of a big group and didn't get my chance to sit in that chair. My 16 year old went with us and I don't think this would have been appropriate for him had he been younger. These are BIG fish!

Try to determine the rating of all the captains in the terms of outcome (caught fish or not, got bites or not, etc.) on a similar trip (time of day, time of year, etc.) so that they are the most informed. Additionally, while children 10 or older are allowed, we found out (maybe we should have known), that a child must be 15 or older to sit in the fishing chair. If we have known this prior to booking, we would have waited another couple of years to take the charter.

My son’s first time fishing in open ocean and he caught a chance of a lifetime blue marlin (160 lbs.) about an hour into fishing. Amazing crew was so helpful and supportive of my 14 year old getting this fish in by himself. An amazing day and on for the books!!! Recommend to everyone!!

Keep in mind the trip can fit 4, but 3 was better for us to be able to move around on the boat easier. Also if taking a child, 10 and up is best as the strength needed to reel in the catch is significant. Even my wife had a slightly hard time reeling in her 35 lb wahoo

There is everything here in kona. Shore casting, bottom fishing , wahoo, dorado, tuna, its a heck of a fishing ground. While you cant always target a specific species with absolute success there is always something swimming in the neighborhood.

Make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen. Pack a small cooler of your favorite drinks and some snacks for the trip. Not every time you will catch something but that’s why they call it fishing not catching.

You are booking a fish trip for a trophy fish; not everytime are you going to hook up. I personally have gone on 3 charter trips and this is the only one that ended in success. Its a great way to see the island and hear stories as well.

Find the crew at Fire Hatt. They are super professional and friendly. We brought our four- and six-year-olds. They might have been a bit too young. I think it might be better for, maybe, an 8-year-old or 10-year-old. Sean and Jason were great with our little kids, but the boys struggled a bit with four hours on the boat. But, all in all, it was a great experience for the adults.

Sea-sickness is real - please take some Meclizine (Bonine) the night before if you've never been on a boat. We saw lots of Marlin, but Mahi Mahi was scarce today, and Ono (Wahoo) is out of season in December mostly. Do not expect to catch fish all the time!! Sometimes the fish bite and sometimes they don't, it's just how fishing goes. There is nothing the crew can do about it except to keep trying!! The weather is fantastic, bring sunscreen, lots of water, and a windbreaker. The fish are incredibly strong, expect to be sore the next day and maybe need some help reeling it in.

Listen to what the crew is telling you. They are a wealth of information and only want you to have a fun time and catch fish. This was my first time sitting in the chair waiting for a hit on a line. It's pretty darn exciting when it finally happens and you get to start reeling in your catch!!

Try a half day trip here before going on longer ones if you’ve never tried. Seasickness is real and miserable. Luckily I was ok but it was there. Someone else on our boat started puking 15 min in. Poor girl. At least she caught a fish too.

You are not going to find a more picturesque and idyllic place to fish than right here on the Big Island. From the crystal clear deep blue waters to the deep ocean just mins from the harbor, Kailua-Kona is among the best places that I have fished in the world.

Always remember why its called fishing, not catching and think of catching as a bonus, because it should be about the moments you share with family and friends, old as well as the new you meet and make on your adventure. We met some of nicest,friendliest new people on out trip!

Go out for a bucket list trip. Fishing starts right out of the harbor. The boat also stays close to shore due to the very close deep water so should be especially easy for most people prone to motion sickness.