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First Marlin! ✅ Bucket List

Went fishing on June 19, 2024

Rex A. D.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

5.0 / 5

First Marlin! ✅ Bucket List

Rex A. D.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Thanks to Captains Dana Boardman and Neil Preston for helping me get my first Marlin! It was a bucket list kinda day! These guys were personable and professional. The boat was first rate and they run a 5 star operation from start to finish. We had two strikes and came close to grabbing a second Marlin. These guys want you to catch a fish as much as you do and they work hard to make it happen! This is my crew for every return trip to the Big Island - they provide a phenomenal experience that... More

Thanks to Captains Dana Boardman and Neil Preston for helping me get my first Marlin! It was a bucket list kinda day! These...

Rex A. D. recommends Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

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Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on June 22, 2024

Thank you for bringing your enthusiasm and good luck Mr. Davis. I knew you were going to have a great day fishing when I saw your hawk eye perch from the shaded lazarette seat diligently watching all the lures and teasers non-stop! Much Aloha

Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on June 22, 2024

Captain replied

Reviews by other customers

Rating summary

4.9 / 5

out of 5 stars from 6 reviews

See details

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Experience

4.8 / 5

Photos & videos by reviewers (9)

$First Marlin! \u2705 Bucket List$

Didn't catch anything but a bucket of trash

Angler rating

5 stars		6
4 stars		0
3 stars		0
2 stars		0
1 star		0

Anglers claimed

Good experience
	80%
Friendly captain
	100%
Recommend this charter
	83%
Appropriate for children
	100%
Satisfied with the boat
	100%
Caught fish
	67%

Appropriate for children
	100%
Satisfied with the boat
	100%
Caught fish
	67%

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Showing:

5 of 6 reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews

Simon S.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

First trip on Charter boat “Island Girl” and a Blue Marlin !!

VERIFIED Full Day Trip on June 27, 2025

Simon S.

5.0 / 5

Jun 27, 2025

Full Day Trip

First trip on Charter boat “Island Girl” and a Blue Marlin !!

VERIFIED

So glad we booked Dana. His love of gamefishing and Kona so evident along with his hospitality. Had fun on a blue Marlin plus the bonus of really calm seas. Highly recommend.

So glad we booked Dana. His love of gamefishing and Kona so evident along with his hospitality. Had fun on a blue Marlin plus...

Simon S. recommends Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

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Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on June 28, 2025

Simon & Nicole, Thank you for bringing your good luck and our serendipitous meeting today after fishing alongside each other multiple times on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia 3 decades ago !! Truly enjoyed reminiscing about so many of our old fishing friends around Australia ... been calling a few of them since our fabulous day fishing together yesterday. Aloha, Captain Dana

Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on June 28, 2025

Simon & Nicole,
Thank you for bringing your good luck and our serendipitous meeting today after fishing alongside each other multiple times on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia 3 decades ago !! Truly enjoyed reminiscing about so many of our old fishing friends around Australia ... been calling a few of them since our fabulous day fishing together yesterday. Aloha, Captain Dana

Captain replied

Will L.

Garland, Texas

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Full day trip with Dana B.

Full Day Trip on April 28, 2024

Will L.

Garland, Texas

5.0 / 5

Apr 28, 2024

Full Day Trip

Full day trip with Dana B.

Great day fishing in Kona, HI. The boat was exceptionally comfortable with an air conditioned cabin and places to sit outside in the shade while waiting for the fish We caught an Ono and were able to take some filets back to our place for dinner. Captain Dana was an entertaining host and very knowledgeable captain. We enjoyed our day of fishing!

Great day fishing in Kona, HI. The boat was exceptionally comfortable with an air conditioned cabin and places to sit outside...

Will L. recommends Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

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Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on May 13, 2024

Special times together. Aloha

Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on May 13, 2024

Special times together.
Aloha

Captain replied

JEFFREY B.

4.7 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

4.0 / 5

Overall

Didn't catch anything but a bucket of trash

VERIFIED 3/4 Day Trip on June 17, 2024

JEFFREY B.

4.7 / 5

Jun 17, 2024

3/4 Day Trip

Didn't catch anything but a bucket of trash

VERIFIED

Got 2 bites the crew couldn’t land either of them.. The crew was experienced and very polite. But absolutely nothing bit after the first hour. That was a long six hours staring at lures. Lol. Took some expensive naps in between. Everyone was a good sport and said they had a good time on the water which helped. All in all I’m not sure I’d do it again. This is the second deep sea fishing trip we have taken as a family (the first was in Madiera) where we have came up zeroes. ... More

Got 2 bites the crew couldn’t land either of them.. The crew was experienced and very polite. But absolutely nothing...

JEFFREY B. does not recommend Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

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Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on June 22, 2024

Jeff, We really enjoyed fishing with you and your family. Your son Mason was so keen and focused on the lures and the explosive bites. He certainly deserved a solid hookup! Stoked you were able to join us on your second day of Big Game Fishing, ever. Three time’s a charm…you know. Hope you come fish again someday. Aloha

Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on June 22, 2024

Jeff,
We really enjoyed fishing with you and your family. Your son Mason was so keen and focused on the lures and the explosive bites. He certainly deserved a solid hookup!

Stoked you were able to join us on your second day of Big Game Fishing, ever. Three time’s a charm…you know. Hope you come fish again someday.
Aloha

Captain replied

John I.

Brampton, ON

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

A great morning fish trip!

3/4 Day Trip on May 31, 2024

John I.

Brampton, ON

5.0 / 5

May 31, 2024

3/4 Day Trip

A great morning fish trip!

Fabulous boat, great captain and crew and a 150lb Blue Marlin as a bonus…. Highly recommend!!

John I. recommends Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

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Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on June 5, 2024

John it was fun to have your wife enjoy the day of fishing with the frequently calm Kona Coast conditions. Lady luck brought us multiple bites…

Dana Boardman (The Captain)

Replied on June 5, 2024

John it was fun to have your wife enjoy the day of fishing with the frequently calm Kona Coast conditions. Lady luck brought us multiple bites…

Captain replied

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Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

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Granders University…

OMC Fishing Adventures

Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

First Marlin! ✅ Bucket List

First Marlin! ✅ Bucket List

Reviews by other customers

First trip on Charter boat “Island Girl” and a Blue Marlin !!

First trip on Charter boat “Island Girl” and a Blue Marlin !!

Full day trip with Dana B.

Full day trip with Dana B.

Didn't catch anything but a bucket of trash

Didn't catch anything but a bucket of trash

A great morning fish trip!

A great morning fish trip!

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Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

Recently viewed

Granders University…

OMC Fishing Adventures

Granders University Kona Fishing Charters

First Marlin! ✅ Bucket List

First Marlin! ✅ Bucket List

Reviews by other customers

First trip on Charter boat “Island Girl” and a Blue Marlin !!

First trip on Charter boat “Island Girl” and a Blue Marlin !!

Full day trip with Dana B.

Full day trip with Dana B.

Didn't catch anything but a bucket of trash

Didn't catch anything but a bucket of trash

A great morning fish trip!

A great morning fish trip!

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