5.0(2 Reviews)Kona Deep Sea Fishing: Target Marlin & Tuna
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day charter targets Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Marlin offshoreLicensed captain provides all gear and tackles for six guestsFour-hour guided trip suitable for all fishing skill levels
When you're looking for serious offshore action in Hawaii's most famous fishing waters, this four-hour charter out of Kailua-Kona delivers exactly what you came for. We're talking about targeting the Big Island's most prized gamefish—Pacific Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, and Mahi Mahi—in waters that have made Kona legendary among anglers worldwide. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and the crew will have you rigged up and ready to battle fish that dreams are made of. Whether you've been fishing your whole life or you're just getting started, this half-day trip puts you right where the big fish live without eating up your entire vacation.
This isn't some tourist cruise with fancy cocktails—it's a legitimate fishing operation designed to put fish in the boat. You'll head out aboard a fully equipped vessel with a licensed captain who's spent years reading these waters and finding fish. The crew handles all the heavy lifting when it comes to rigging tackle, setting lines, and coaching you through the fight once you hook up. All fishing gear is provided, from the heavy trolling rods to the terminal tackle, so you can focus on what matters: catching fish. The boat accommodates up to six anglers, which means everyone gets plenty of room to fish and won't be crowded when the action heats up. Pack your own snacks and drinks, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready for some real Hawaiian offshore fishing.
We're fishing the deep blue water off Kona using proven trolling techniques that have been putting big fish on the deck for decades. The crew runs a spread of lures designed to attract pelagic species, typically pulling four to six lines at various distances behind the boat. You'll see everything from large swimming lures to rigged baits working in the wake, each one positioned to trigger strikes from different species. The captain uses his electronics to locate temperature breaks, current edges, and baitfish concentrations—the kind of structure that holds trophy fish in these waters. When a fish hits, you'll know it immediately. The crew will coach you through the fight, helping you work the fish properly while clearing other lines. These aren't light tackle battles—we're using heavy gear designed to handle the power of blue water gamefish that can weigh hundreds of pounds.
"Great people with great experience. 100% would recommend. Great way with kids as well." - Kevin
"My friend and his son drove up from Sacramento for a day of tuna fishing off the coast of Hawaii! And you know what? We did it five times with this incredible crew! The captain steered the boat precisely to where the fish were. The deckhand did an incredible job ensuring our success. This wasn't a luxury vacation, but a real man's fishing trip. The boat and crew were straight out of an Ernest Hemingway book—reliable, precise, and comfortable just for fishing, that's all! If you love fishing, I highly recommend this boat! But if you're looking for a luxury vacation, you might want to consider another option! This is man's, tough, and hard fishing, and I would definitely do it again!" - Andrii
Yellowfin Tuna, known locally as Ahi, are the bread and butter of Kona's offshore fishing scene. These powerful fish typically range from 40 to 150 pounds in these waters, with larger specimens always possible. Yellowfin are year-round residents here, but they're most active during the warmer months when baitfish are abundant. What makes them special is their raw power—once hooked, they'll make blistering runs that will test your endurance and the boat's drag systems. The meat is world-class sashimi grade, making them as valuable on the dinner table as they are fun to catch. They often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around.
Mahi Mahi, also called Common Dolphinfish, are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter in these waters. They typically run 15 to 40 pounds, though larger bull dolphins can exceed 50 pounds. These fish are most abundant from spring through fall, often found around floating debris or current lines. What anglers love about mahi is their aerial display—they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that makes for great photos and even better memories. They're aggressive feeders that hit lures hard and fight with surprising strength for their size. The bright yellow, green, and blue colors make them one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean.
Indo-Pacific Blue Marlin are the ultimate trophy in Hawaiian waters and the reason many anglers make the trip to Kona. These apex predators can range from 200 pounds to over 1,000 pounds, with fish over 500 pounds caught regularly in these waters. Summer months typically offer the best marlin fishing, though they're present year-round. Blue marlin are ambush predators that patrol the deep water looking for schools of tuna and other pelagic prey. When they hit a trolled lure, the strike is explosive—often launching completely out of the water in a display of power that will leave you speechless. Landing a blue marlin is a bucket-list experience that represents the pinnacle of offshore fishing.
Four hours on the water with a top-rated crew targeting Hawaii's most sought-after gamefish—that's what this trip delivers, plain and simple. You're not paying for luxury amenities or fancy food service; you're investing in legitimate offshore fishing with captains who know how to find and catch fish. The half-day format works perfectly whether you're squeezing fishing into a family vacation or you want to test these waters before booking a longer trip. With all gear provided and a crew that handles everything from rigging to coaching
Get ready to chase mahi mahi, marlin, and yellowfin tuna aboard this classic 35-foot Bertram sportfisher. This 1973 beauty was fully restored in 2018 and runs like a dream with twin 330HP Cummins diesels that cruise smoothly at 17 knots. The boat handles Kona's waters perfectly and comfortably accommodates up to 6 anglers. You'll have everything needed for a successful fishing trip – GPS to navigate to the hot spots, fish finder to locate schools, spacious flybridge for optimal visibility, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The onboard facilities include a toilet, so you can focus on fishing without worrying about comfort. Your experienced captain knows exactly where the big fish hang out in these productive Hawaiian waters, and with all tackle and gear provided, you just need to show up ready to fish. This boat's proven track record and solid construction make it ideal for targeting the pelagic species that make Kona waters famous among serious anglers.
Makaira MazaraPacific blue marlin are the ultimate trophy fish - these apex predators can stretch 12 feet and weigh 400+ pounds, with that iconic spear bill and cobalt blue back. They patrol our deep blue waters from the surface down to 300 feet, following baitfish schools and warm current edges. Peak season runs May through September when they move through for spawning. The fight is legendary - long screaming runs, greyhounding jumps, and battles that can last hours. Most anglers release them, but the meat is prized for sashimi. We troll big skirted lures and rigged ballyhoo at 8-9 knots along drop-offs and seamounts. Key tip: when one comes up behind the lures, don't change anything - let them decide. Once hooked, settle in for a real battle and always watch that bill when boatside.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are pure eye candy on the line - brilliant gold and electric blue colors that light up like a neon sign when they're fighting. These surface dwellers love hanging around floating debris, current edges, and weedlines in our warm blue water. Most fish run 15-30 pounds, but 40-pounders show up often enough to keep things interesting. They're aerial acrobats that'll jump, spin, and tailwalk when hooked. The white, flaky meat is mild and perfect for grilling. Best action comes during our warmer months when they school up to feed. We troll colorful skirted lures and flying fish patterns at 6-8 knots. Local trick: once you hook one, leave your spread out - they travel in schools and you'll often double or triple up while fighting the first fish.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna, or "ahi" as we call them locally, are what make Kona waters special. These torpedo-shaped speedsters cruise the upper 300 feet, often around schools of dolphins or floating debris. Most fish we catch run 30-80 pounds, but giants over 200 show up regularly. They're incredible fighters that can hit 50 mph, making long runs that'll test your arms. The meat is top-shelf sushi grade - silky red and buttery rich. Year-round fishing here, but summer months bring the best action when water temps peak. We troll rigged ballyhoo and cedar plugs around current breaks and temp changes. Pro tip: when you hook up, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they'll sound deep and make you work for every pound.
5.0 out of 5.0Great people with great experience. 100% would recommend. Great way with kids as well.
My friend and his son drove up from Sacramento for a day of tuna fishing off the coast of Hawaii! And you know what? We did it fiv...
Kailua-Kona