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James Gelman
James Gelman
Repeat angler
us
New Jersey, US
•
Member since 2023
•
2 trips
2.7
Verified

Greed

Sunset Bite Escape - 4 Hours2 adults

Never again.When you ask for the balance in cash, maybe on 600 you should be able to give change of a $20, no offer of credit or getting Chanel or anything . Silence from captain. Greed is impressive.

Response from Charter operator

We were genuinely disheartened to come across your review, as we had hoped your experience with us was enjoyable. It appears there was a misunderstanding regarding the $6.50 change at the end of your trip, which you graciously offered as part of the tip. Regrettably, our staff mistakenly assumed this arrangement was acceptable, although they did offer to promptly obtain the exact change from the nearest store. Upon seeing your review, we immediately recognized the oversight and made every effort to address it. Within minutes of your post, we attempted to reach out to you, even enlisting the help of Fishing Booker to facilitate communication. We have since sent you a check to cover the $6.50 difference and included additional compensation for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that every guest enjoys a 5-star experience, and we are deeply committed to upholding our reputation and providing exceptional service. Rest assured, we understand the importance of maintaining trust and satisfaction, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make amends.

Reel Escapes Hawaii
Angler's Choice

Reel Escapes Hawaii

Kailua-Kona
Instant Confirmation
Free cancellation
Trips from
US $895

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Reel Escapes Hawaii
Reel Escapes Hawaii
4.9
(354)
33 ft
Group size 1 - 5
1 - 5
Fish 1
Fish 2
+6
4 hour trip • 5 persons
US $895

Rating

4.9
354 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

  • 98%
    Great experience
  • 90%
    Family friendly
  • 100%
    Friendly captain
  • 100%
    Good boat
  • 98%
    Recommended
  • 65%
    Caught fish

All reviews (354)

Showing 1 – 5 of 354 reviews
  • Eric Pedersen
    Eric Pedersen
    Repeat angler
    us
    Middlebury, CT, US
    •
    Member since 2019
    •
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    A truly fantastic experience - Captain Brent and his crew delivers

    5 Hour Fishing Escape • 4 adults

    Brought my wife, son and daughter out on the Reel Escapes Innovator 33" for a 5 hour trip off the coast of Kona on the Big Island. We were fortunate with the weather but really fortunate to have selected this charter company. Captain Brent is a truly seasoned charter captain who knows the water, knows the fish and knows where to find them. We hooked up within an hour and then hooked up again within 3 hours of our trip - this time 3 rods at once - my daughter, son and I brought in 3 Otaru tuna simultaneously and had a most memorable time reeling them in together, wife operating the camera the whole time. The boat is immaculate and fitted out with the highest quality equipment. We rode in the tuna tower with the Captain the whole time (when we weren't busy reeling in fish), talking fishing, Hawaiian traditions, recipes etc. It would have been a very enjoyable trip without the fish, but the Captain is very skilled and determined. We came away with nearly 30 lbs of delicious fillets and family memories we will never forget...

    Response from Charter operator

    Thank you so much for the incredible review! It was an absolute pleasure having your family out with us. That triple hookup with you, your son, and your daughter all fighting otaru at the same time was definitely a great moment, and having Mom on camera duty made it even better! I really enjoyed having you all up on the bridge, talking fishing, Hawaii, food, and everything in between. Those are the days that remind us why we love what we do. We’re glad you enjoyed the boat, the fishing, and especially those fresh tuna fillets! Thanks again for choosing Reel Escapes Hawaii and trusting us with part of your family vacation. We hope to get you all back out with us again someday! Aloha, Captain Brent

  • Karen Lowery
    Karen Lowery
    Repeat angler
    us
    St. Charles, MO, US
    •
    Member since 2024
    •
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    5 Star Day On The Water!

    6 Hour Fishing Escape • 4 adults

    We had an incredible day with Captain Brent and TJ and caught a big tuna within the first hour of being on the water! Brent welcomed us first thing in the morning and walked us though all the safety guidelines and expectations for a safe and fun day on the boat. When we snagged a big tuna they coached my son Max through reeling in the big catch! Brent and TJ were super friendly and fun to hang out with all day! They went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and havig a good time! We had such a great time getting to know them and leaneing all about fishing on the big island. they also gave us great recommendations for the rest of our trip. we would love to come back and make more memories on the water with Reel Escape Hawaii!!! Thank you guys so much for an amazing day!!

    Response from Charter operator

    Mahalo so much for the incredible review! It was an absolute pleasure spending the day with your family. Congratulations to Max on landing that beautiful tuna! Watching him battle such an incredible fish within the first hour made for an unforgettable start to the day, and we're so glad we could be there to coach him through the experience. Thank you for the kind words about TJ and me. We love sharing our passion for Kona's unique big game fishery and helping our guests create memories that will last a lifetime. It means so much to hear you enjoyed not only the fishing but also getting to know us and learning more about the Big Island. We truly appreciate you choosing Reel Escapes Hawaii and are honored to have been part of your vacation. We can't wait to welcome your family back for another adventure on the water! With aloha, Captain Brent, TJ & The Reel Escapes Crew

  • Dennis Schmidt
    Dennis Schmidt
    us
    Minnesota, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Never give up

    6 Hour Fishing Escape • 2 adults

    Captain Dean and First mate Logan put us on Ahi within the first half hour. Unfortunately, we didn’t get hooks in either one. It was a slow bite for the rest of our trip, fishing deep, then shallower, we covered a lot of water. It was less than two minutes before Logan was going to pull lines for the day when “pop” and the fish was on. My wife, Darlene, nervously took the chair. Logan got her buckled in and the fight was on. Less than five minutes later she had a very rare, Short billed spearfish boat side. A few pictures and the fish lives to fight another day. Both Captain Dean and First mate Logan are professionals in their field. They did everything exactly as they should have to make sure we got the fish boat sided without losing it. They were always communicating with each other along with giving words of encouragement to my wife and letting her know what the next moves were. Fantastic job by the crew, an amazing and memorable experience, and we most certainly recommend Reel Escapes Hawaii for your fishing experience. Top notch!!

    Reported Catch
    Shortbill Spearfish
    Response from Charter operator

    Mahalo for such an incredible review and for sharing your experience with us! That’s exactly why we never quit early, you just never know when that last-minute bite is going to happen. Getting a shot at ahi right away definitely had everyone excited, and while they didn’t stick, it sounds like the ocean had one more surprise waiting for Darlene at the very end! A short billed spearfish is an incredibly special catch and not something many anglers get to experience. We’re so glad Logan and Dean were able to guide her through the fight and help make it such a memorable moment. Communication and teamwork are a huge part of successfully landing these fish, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to both of them. Thank you again for trusting us with your Kona fishing adventure and for recognizing the effort the crew puts in every day. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you both back out on the water again someday! With aloha, Brent & The Reel Escapes Crew

  • David Molina
    David Molina
    us
    California, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Absolutely Fantastic

    5 Hour Fishing Escape • 2 adults

    When planning our family trip to Kona, an excursion to try big game fishing with my son was a must. I reviewed every option I could find and eventually ended up booking with Reel Escapes Hawaii because of their reviews and customer feedback. If you are in the same situation trying to decide which charter to book, you can end your search right here and book with Reel Escapes Hawaii. Captain Brent and his deckhand (Dave) were absolutely AWESOME and made our experience even that much more memorable. In a society where customer service and providing a customer experience has become an afterthought, it’s refreshing to know there are still small business owners like Captain Brent who make the experience for the customer their main focus and priority. If I could give more than 5-stars, I would because that’s what is truly deserved based on the experience my son and I had aboard the Reel Escapes Hawaii. 10/10!!

    Reported Catch
    Blue Marlin
    Response from Charter operator

    Aloha David, Wow… thank you so much for this. Truly. Reading this means more than I can properly put into words. The fact that you trusted us with something as important as a trip like this with your so, and that it lived up to (and exceeded) those expectations, truly means everything to us. We know there are a lot of options out there, and it’s not something we take lightly when someone chooses to spend their time with us. Hearing that the experience stood out, not just the fishing but the way you were treated, is exactly what we strive for every single day. Dave and I had an absolute blast with you both. Those shared moments out on the water, especially between a parent and their kid, are what make this job so special. It reminds me of my time spent with my father when we would fish for hours. Sometiumes catching, sometimes not. It’s never just about the fish, it’s about the memories that come with it, and we’re really grateful we got to be a part of yours. Your words about customer service honestly mean the world. That’s the foundation of everything we do, and knowing it came through like that makes all the effort worth it. Thank you again for taking the time to write this and for choosing us. We truly hope to have you both back out with us again someday. With aloha, Captain Brent

  • Mike Mason
    Mike Mason
    Repeat angler
    us
    Florida, US
    •
    Member since 2023
    •
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great crew, great trip

    5 Hour Fishing Escape • 2 adults

    Went out with Captain Brent and Clayton. Unfortunately, we didnt manage to catch anything, but thats just how it goes sometimes. Clayton was out there changing tackle and Brent was trolling as much water as he could. They did evetything they could to put us in the fish! It was still a great time being on the water so no regrets just because the fish didn’t cooperate. They were both great conversationalists and took the time to point out various other wildlife we saw lime the pilot whales, oceanic whitetip sharks, and some bird species.

    Response from Charter operator

    Mahalo for the fantastic review! We really appreciate your understanding that sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, the fish just don't cooperate. That's the reality of big game fishing, and we're grateful you recognized how hard Clayton and I worked to try to make it happen. One of the things we love most about being on the water is that there's always something incredible to see. Pilot whales, oceanic whitetip sharks, and the variety of seabirds all help make every trip unique, even when the fish are being stubborn. Thank you for making the most of the experience and for the great conversation throughout the day. Guests like you make our job easy, and we'd love the opportunity to get you back out for another shot at the fish next time! With aloha, Captain Brent, Clayton & The Reel Escapes Crew