Kauai may not have the huge crowds of Honolulu or the sportfishing fame of Kona, but for the adventurous angler that just means more open water and less competition. And it doesn’t really matter when you go. The deep sea fishing Kauai charters specialize in landing monster Blue and Striped Marlin all year round, and the Tuna bite is out of this world! So let the crowds swarm Big Island and Waikiki Beach, you’ve got mile after mile of deep, calm water all to yourself in Kauai!
What to Expect from a Deep Sea Fishing Trip
Kauai really puts the “deep” in deep sea fishing. The sea floor drops 1,000 feet just a couple of miles from shore, and hits bedrock 10,000 feet down under an hour’s cruise away. What this means for you is that you can battle some of the biggest pelagic predators on the planet and be back for an early lunch. Your lines will be in the water as soon as you leave the dock and even half-day trips can land you Blue and Striped Marlin, Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna, and much more besides.
Head out on a full day trip, and the extra fishing time could see you hooked into a Billfish Grand Slam. Shortbill Spearfish may not be anyone’s favorite Billfish, but they put up one heck of a fight for their size. Couple them with the Monster Blues and speedy Stripes offshore, and you could have your name in the IGFA’s hall of fame! Again, this is something that can theoretically happen all year round, Kauai’s bluewater bite is just that good.
With so much open ocean, you would imagine it might be difficult to find fish. Luckily, the whole island is surrounded by FADs, drawing every fish for miles around. There are half a dozen permanent FADs within easy reach of Lihue, not even counting the natural flotsam washed out from the island. These means reliable topwater action for all your favorite sea monsters, from Marlin and Spearfish to Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Sharks.
Fishing Techniques
Most Kauai deep sea charters focus on trolling to bring in the biggest fish. You could be using a selection of lures, depending on your captain’s preference. Some like elaborate spreads with colorful teasers trolled at different depths. Others keep it simple, pulling four hooked lures and nothing else. Many guides also like to troll live Tuna when going after monster Blue Marlin. It’s a sign of how big the Marlin get here when you’re using Yellowfin Tuna as bait!
Need to Know
The catch is always divided between the boat and the clients in Hawaii, and fish over 70 pounds often stay with the boat. We’ve never tried taking an 80-pound Yellowfin on a flight before, but we’re pretty sure it doesn’t count as your carry-on baggage. Enjoy your day and take some fish to eat on your trip - your captain will happily fillet it for you.
One thing to bear in mind is that keeping and selling Billfish is perfectly legal in Hawaii. Understandably, many anglers are against this. If you’re one of them, be sure to talk it through with your captain to avoid a nasty surprise when you hook that dream Blue Marlin. Most captains don’t mind releasing healthy Billfish when asked, but they will often change tactics if that’s the plan.
