It's been a dream of mine to go fishing in Hawaii and Captain Dave and his boat, A'u Struck, provided an incredible experience to fulfill that dream. Reserving was easy. He was quick to verify the booking and responded to my questions in a timely manner. He let me know we would be targeting/trollling for larger trophy fish. Trolling takes time and patience (well, all fishing styles do, right?) and he promptly had us out on the water and wasted no time setting out the lines. Dave was attentive to checking that the lures were operating as they should. I was personally impressed by the care he took with his gear, tackle, and boat--a true experienced captain working with neat and efficient harmony. Then the waiting game. Light snacks and a cooler of bottled waters are on board. Our group enjoyed having a cabin to relax (we took turns napping it was so comfortable) as we waited for a bite. Landed a beautiful ahi tuna and a majestic blue marlin. We enjoyed being able to be part of the process of catching the fish and getting them on the boat. There is no deck hand which made the experience more hands-on which we loved. It was the opportunity of a lifetime and we all had a new found appreciation for the work, dedication, process, and time it takes to bring food to the table. Having those first bites of our catch just minutes after we get off the boat--chef's kiss!
A few notes about the trip. We parked close to the restroom entrance. He will be parked in the lot and he is parked with his truck and boat on a trailer. It was pretty dark, but he was easy to find in the parking lot. The boat is not docked.
Wear/bring clothes and implements to protect you from the sun/wind. If you are prone to sea sickness prepare ahead of time. If you aren't sure if you get seasick, don't wait until you are on the boat to find out. Personally, I am prone to seasickness on boat trips and always take preventative measures to address this. A few in our group worked through their seasickness and still had a great time and insist they would do the trip again! If you don't have a cooler, Captain Dave will put your catch (cut) on ice. There are some restaurants that will cook what you catch. Call your favorite restaurant to verify. Cash is preferred.
Dave is an utmost professional, patient and knowledgeable. Follow his instructions and guidance to ensure a great and safe time. Nice bonus: spotted a turtle sunbathing and spinner dolphins welcomed us back to shore.
Overall, don't hesitate to book a trip with Captain Dave. You are sure to be A'u Struck! 🐟🎣🎏
