i have done nearly 20 guided fishing tours over the last several years and have generally always had a great experience….but this captain and first mate top them all. Captain John was great with me and my kids and worked hard to find us fish and made sure everyone was having a great time. And then there is his first mate Shawn, who worked harder than anyone i have been out fishing with trying everything under the sun to help us land a fish. He never stopped working, swapping things out, keeping the boat clean, trying something new, it was impressive. All while having fun, being very friendly, teaching me and my boys along the way. At the end of the day we were only able to land one Wahoo but that was not because of a lack of effort on the crew. And despite the slow day of fish, me and my boys had a wonderful day and really enjoyed being on the water with Captain John and Shawn.

Amazing experience. Highly recommend. Captain John was knowledgeable & helped us catch a 750lb Marlin. We also caught 2 spearfish.  Deion was a fantastic deck hand and very supportive. This was a great trip for both experienced & novices.  They were so funny, and kept us laughing throughout the trip. The weather wasn’t cooperating with the original date we booked, Captain John was wonderful about working with us to find another time during our stay in Hawaii.

We had an incredible morning on the water with Captain John and his crew. From the moment we stepped on board, they made the trip feel special with their great storytelling, humor, and deep knowledge of the ocean. They kept us entertained and engaged the whole time, turning the trip into more than just fishing—it was an experience.

The real highlight came when my wife hooked into a beautiful Ono. The crew’s excitement and encouragement made the catch even more memorable. Later, we prepared the fresh Ono into amazing blackened fish tacos with mango salsa—hands down one of the best meals we’ve ever had.

Captain John and his team go above and beyond to create not just a fishing trip, but a lasting memory. Highly recommend them if you want a fun, professional, and unforgettable day on the water!

Hey John hopefully the weather is getting better for you guys

I didn’t want to post this on a public review for you but just a quick note of what myself and my father in law thought

The crew was friendly and professional, and we appreciated how nice everyone was throughout the trip. The boat and gear were good, and the mate worked consistently.

However, we were disappointed with the timing of the trip. The captain left the dock about 15 minutes late because he needed to get fuel, and then we returned about 5 minutes early.

Since this was a 4-hour charter and the trip cost nearly $900, we felt the time should have been made up so that we received the full amount we paid for.

Fishing can always be hit or miss, and we understand that part, but getting the full charter time is something we expected. The crew was pleasant, but the shortened trip left us feeling a bit shorted for the price

Just something to take into consideration is all

-Dave

Capt. John and the Skillet are my go-to for Kona sportfishing now! Had an off day for the bite, but the experience was outstanding. Top notch equipment, extremely knowledgeable and I will definitely be back!!