5.0(10 Reviews)Private Kauai Charter Fishing - 4 Hour Trip
5.0(10 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Top RatedMost Reviewed
Private 4-hour charter on 26-foot Glacier Bay catamaranTarget Mahi Mahi and Tuna in Lihue's offshore watersEarly morning departures accommodate up to 4 guests
Picture this: you're cruising out of Lihue Harbor at first light on a sleek 26-foot Glacier Bay catamaran, the sunrise painting Kauai's dramatic coastline in gold. Captain Harry has the lines rigged and ready, coffee's brewing, and the Pacific is calling your name. This isn't your average tourist fishing trip – it's a genuine offshore experience designed for up to four anglers who want to fish the same waters where locals have been pulling trophy pelagics for generations. Whether you've been chasing billfish for decades or you've never held a rod, you're about to discover why Kauai's deep waters are considered some of Hawaii's best fishing grounds.
Your 4-hour private charter kicks off with a 6am departure, giving you prime fishing time when the big fish are most active. Captain Harry runs a tight ship – you'll get a proper safety briefing and fishing lesson before the lines go in. The Glacier Bay cat cuts through the swells smooth as butter, getting you to the fishing grounds fast without beating you up. We're talking serious offshore action here, trolling the deep blue where the bottom drops to over 1,000 feet just a few miles out. You'll work the FADs (fish aggregating devices) and natural structure where mahi, ono, and tuna cruise the current lines. When the rods start screaming and that reel is singing, you'll understand why people get hooked on this style of fishing. The boat's rigged with top-shelf tackle, outriggers, and everything you need to battle whatever decides to eat your lure.
This is pure Hawaiian-style trolling at its finest. Captain Harry runs a spread of lures designed to mimic the baitfish that pelagics can't resist – think bright colors and realistic action that triggers strikes from curious predators. The outriggers keep your lines spread wide, covering more water as you cruise at trolling speed. When a fish hits, the clip releases and that rod doubles over hard. You'll be fighting fish on quality rods spooled with heavy mono, built to handle the long runs these offshore species are famous for. The key here is patience and technique – let the fish run when it wants to, then work it back when the captain gives you the green light. Harry handles the boat positioning and gaffing, so all you need to focus on is keeping that line tight and enjoying the fight.
"Captain, boat and equipment top notch. Captain Harry is a heck of a fisherman and knows his stuff. We were on the fish all day, had good strikes, just couldn't land em. Like Captain said . " sometimes the fish get lucky". Will book again ." - Christopher
"My family and I went out for a 4 hour trip at 6am with Harry. We were originally scheduled for 10am on a different day, but Harry suggested switching to 6am on a different day for better weather. The waves were calmer, and that was really helpful for my wife and daughter who are prone to getting seasick. Although not overly talkative, Harry patiently answered all the questions (even the dumb ones) we had about fishing and Kauai. He also displayed a good sense of humor. He took us to a couple of different buoys set up by the coast guard where fish like to gather. He also simplified the whole experience for us beginners - all we had to do was reel the fish in. In the end, we caught about 15 skipjack and yellowfin tunas. Harry filleted one of each for us to take back to our Airbnb with us. Overall, we all had a lot of fun, even my daughter who did get a little seasick. Highly recommend it!" - Chobun
"My son and I booked a six hour trip with Captain Harry and it was a blast. Not only did we reel in double Mahi Mahis, we ended up bringing in five for the day! We had a few additional hits also, along with loosing a tuna due to operator malfunction. Learned my lesson fast! Thanks for the great trip!" - Nathan
Blue Marlin are the holy grail of Kauai fishing, and these waters hold some genuine giants. Pacific blue marlin here average 200-400 pounds, but fish over 800 pounds cruise these same waters. They're ambush predators that love to smack baits with their bills before committing to the bite, which explains those heart-stopping strikes that don't always stick. Summer through fall offers your best shot, when the water temps climb and baitfish concentrate along the current breaks. Landing one is a battle you'll never forget – they're famous for their aerial displays and blistering runs that can strip hundreds of yards of line in seconds.
Mahi Mahi are the crowd-pleasers that keep your cooler full and your spirits high. These golden beauties run 15-40 pounds in Kauai waters and are absolute fighters pound-for-pound. They school up around floating debris and FADs, making them prime trolling targets. When you hook into a school, it's common to get doubles or even triples. Mahi are year-round residents here, but spring through summer sees the biggest concentrations. Their acrobatic jumps and brilliant colors make them a favorite for first-timers, plus they're absolutely delicious whether you're grilling steaks or making sashimi.
Wahoo, known locally as ono, are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and tackle. These silver rockets can hit 50+ mph and regularly grow to 40-60 pounds in Hawaiian waters. Ono are structure-oriented fish that patrol the deeper dropoffs and seamounts, making them perfect targets for Kauai's offshore trolling. They hit lures like freight trains and make scorching runs that
Jump aboard our 26-foot Glacier Bay catamaran and get ready to chase some serious fish in Kauai's productive offshore waters. This twin-engine speedster cuts through swells at 30 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast while keeping the ride smooth and stable. With room for just 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the lines without bumping elbows. The boat's equipped with a quality fish finder to locate schools of mahi mahi and tuna, plus GPS to mark those honey holes for future trips. Twin 150hp Suzukis provide reliable power whether you're trolling the drop-offs or making quick runs between fishing grounds. The catamaran design means less rolling in bigger seas, so you can focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness. Modern amenities include a clean head for those longer battles with big fish. Built for serious fishing, this rig handles Kauai's conditions with ease.
Makaira NigricansThe grail of billfish, Blue Marlin are absolute monsters that can exceed 1,000 pounds, though most we see here run 200-400 pounds. These deep blue giants cruise our offshore waters year-round, but peak season is May through September when the water warms up. They love hunting around drop-offs and current breaks in 600+ feet of water. What makes them special? The fight is legendary - they'll leap, dive, and test every inch of your tackle for hours. The meat's decent, but most folks release these beauties. My tip: when trolling, keep your ballyhoo rigged fresh and skip it on the surface. Blue Marlin can't resist that action, and once hooked, hang on tight because you're in for the ride of your life.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are our bread and butter fish here off Kauai - colorful, feisty, and absolutely delicious. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we see some bulls pushing 50. They hang around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 200-2,000 feet of water. Best action is April through October when they're most abundant. What guests love is the brilliant gold and green colors that flash during the fight, plus they're fantastic eating - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect grilled. These fish are aggressive and will often travel in schools, so when you hook one, keep the other lines out. Pro tip: look for birds working the surface or any floating objects. Mahi love structure, and that's where you'll find them feeding.
Kajikia AudaxStriped Marlin are the most beautiful billfish we see, with those distinctive pale blue stripes that stay visible even after the fight. They average 200-300 pounds and have a more slender build than their blue cousins. You'll find them in deeper blue water, usually beyond the 1,000-foot mark, where they hunt schools of tuna and smaller fish. Peak season here is winter through spring when they migrate through Hawaiian waters. Anglers love them for the spectacular aerial displays and the fact they're excellent eating - the meat's prized for sashimi. They're strong fighters but tire faster than blues. My advice: watch for birds working baitfish schools. When you see that action, get your live bait ready because striped marlin often follow the tuna right into the feeding frenzy.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our waters, hitting 50+ mph when they want to. Most run 20-40 pounds around Kauai, with their torpedo-shaped bodies and razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them in open blue water, usually 100-600 feet deep, often around current breaks. Best fishing is May through October when water temps peak. Guests love wahoo for two reasons: the blistering runs that'll scream line off your reel, and the incredible eating - firm, white meat that locals call "ono" meaning delicious. They're solitary hunters, so when you hook one, expect a solo battle. My tip: troll fast with wire leaders - their teeth will cut through mono instantly. When one hits, it's like getting struck by lightning.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of our pelagic fishing - strong, fast, and built like submarines. Most we catch run 30-80 pounds, with their distinctive yellow fins and torpedo bodies. They roam the upper 300 feet of open ocean, following baitfish and current lines. Year-round fishing here, but summer months bring the best action. What makes them special is the raw power - they'll dive deep and test your drag like no other fish. Plus, you can't beat the sashimi-grade meat. These fish are smart, so when trolling doesn't work, try vertical jigging or chunking with live bait. Local tip: when you mark them on the finder but they won't bite, drop a jig down fast. Sometimes they need to see something falling to trigger that strike.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain, boat and equipment top notch. Captain Harry is a heck of a fisherman and knows his stuff. We were on the fish all day, h...
We went out with Captain Harry and his extensive knowledge of the waters east of Lihue was critical to the success of our voyage. ...
My family and I went out for a 4 hour trip at 6am with Harry. We were originally scheduled for 10am on a different day, but Harry ...
We had a great time doing the half day tour with Captain Harry. We went in September and the water was pretty choppy but the fishi...
Great half a day trip. Capt was knowledgeable and Professional. The boat was clean and the equipment Was top notch. Will book with...
We had an incredible experience deep-sea fishing with Captain Harry and Mot. In the afternoon, we caught a tuna, and that evening,...
My son and I booked a six hour trip with Captain Harry and it was a blast. Not only did we reel in double Mahi Mahis, we ended up ...
Boat and Captain Harry were great! My buddy and I, with our wives filled up the boat. On the way out to the 4 mile bouy we got a “...
We were given clear instructions where to meet the captain. Once on board, he gave us a safety brief and also how to use the rods ...
Caught a nice Marlin Water was a little rough but captain Harry handled it like a champ
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