5.0(1 Reviews)Offshore Fishing Charter in Kailua-Kona
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6-hour offshore charter targeting Marlin, Ahi, and Mahi MahiAll tackle and gear provided with experienced local crewMultiple departure times accommodate different schedules daily
When you're looking for serious offshore action on the Big Island, this 6-hour charter out of Kailua-Kona delivers exactly what you came for. We're talking about prime Pacific waters where marlin, ahi, and mahi mahi cruise year-round, and Captain Jeff and his crew know every productive spot along this legendary coastline. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this trip sets you up for success with top-shelf gear and local knowledge that only comes from fishing these waters day in and day out. The boat's clean, well-maintained, and built for comfort during those long fights with big fish. You'll head out with flexible departure times that work around your schedule, and return with stories worth telling and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish.
This charter runs like clockwork because the crew's been doing it right for years. You'll meet at Kailua-Kona harbor where the boat's already rigged and ready to fish. The captain briefs everyone on safety, shows you the gear, and explains the game plan based on current conditions and what's been biting lately. Once you clear the harbor, it's about a 20-minute run to reach the productive blue water where the real action happens. The boat carries quality tackle including heavy conventional reels, fighting belts, and a solid selection of lures that work in these waters. You're fishing with up to 5 other anglers, which keeps things social but gives everyone plenty of room to work a fish. The crew handles all the rigging, bait prep, and netting so you can focus on the fun part. When someone hooks up, everyone else reels in to give that angler room to fight their fish properly.
The fishing style here is classic offshore trolling, which means the boat keeps moving while dragging multiple lines at different depths and distances behind the vessel. The crew runs a spread of 4-6 lures that imitate flying fish, squid, and small tuna - basically everything that marlin and other pelagics love to eat. They'll vary the trolling speed between 6-9 knots depending on conditions and target species. When the water's calm, they might slow-troll live bait near drop-offs and seamounts. The gear includes 50-80 pound class rods with quality reels that can handle long runs from big fish. Circle hooks are standard, which makes catch and release much safer for the fish and easier for beginners. The boat's equipped with a fighting chair, but most fish are fought standing up with a fighting belt and harness system that takes the strain off your back during those marathon battles.
"Captain Jeff and his crew were AMAZING. They put us on fish right away and it was non stop. i actually had to take a small break lol because i was catching so many fish. so I highly recommend Kona dice to everyone. You will not be disappointed and you'll leave with a bag of fish just like I did thank you Kona dice appreciate the time and I would recommend the six hour or above. Also got to see Whales and 🦈 as well. great trip great day." - Jonas
Yellowfin Tuna are the bread and butter of Kona fishing, and these ahi can show up any month of the year. Most fish run 40-100 pounds, though the occasional cow tuna over 200 pounds gets everyone's attention. They're strong, fast fighters that make screaming runs and test your endurance. Yellowfins school up around floating debris, birds working the surface, and temperature breaks where warm and cool water meet. The meat is absolutely primo - perfect for sashimi or searing on the grill. Best action typically happens early morning and late afternoon when they're actively feeding near the surface.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics that make offshore fishing so addictive. These common dolphinfish average 10-25 pounds in Kona waters, with the occasional bull mahi pushing 40-50 pounds. They're ambush predators that hang around floating logs, debris lines, and weed patches. When hooked, mahi go absolutely crazy with jumps, headshakes, and bulldogging runs that test your tackle. The bright gold, green, and blue colors are stunning when they're fresh out of the water. Mahi fishing peaks during summer months but they're around most of the year in Hawaiian waters.
Shortbill Spearfish are Hawaii's most common billfish and they fight way above their weight class. Most fish run 20-40 pounds, but they're lightning fast and incredibly acrobatic. Spearfish are often the first billfish that visiting anglers encounter, and they provide an awesome introduction to billfish fishing. They're aggressive feeders that readily take both lures and live bait. The fight typically includes multiple jumps, long runs, and plenty of head-shaking that tests your hook-setting skills. While smaller than marlin, spearfish are just as exciting and give you great practice for handling bigger bills.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60+ mph when they strike a lure. These fish average 20-50 pounds in Kona waters and they're absolutely delicious eating. Wahoo have razor-sharp teeth and hit like freight trains, often hooking themselves on the initial strike. They make blistering runs that can spool you if the drag isn't set right. Look for wahoo around drop-offs, seamounts, and areas with good current flow. They're more common during winter months but can show up anytime conditions are right.
Yellowcheek Wrasse might not be the biggest fish you'll encounter, but these colorful reef dwellers are fun fighters on lighter tackle. They're typically caught when the boat's fishing closer to shore or around structure.
Your fishing machine for the day is a beautifully restored 1973 35-foot Bertram sportfisher that's been given new life with a complete 2018 renovation. This classic boat runs on twin 330HP Cummins diesel engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a steady 17 knots, burning clean and reliable all day long. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility to spot working birds and surface action, while the fish finder helps locate schools of ahi and mahi mahi in deeper water. With an icebox to keep your catch fresh and your drinks cold, plus a head for comfort during those longer battles with marlin, this Bertram has everything you need for serious offshore fishing. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, giving everyone room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Built for the demanding Hawaiian waters, she's proven herself time and again in these productive fishing grounds off Kailua-Kona.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most exciting fish we target - those golden sides with electric blue and green really light up when they hit the deck. Most fish run 15-30 pounds, but we see plenty of bulls pushing 40-50 pounds, especially under floating debris or weed lines. They're surface dwellers that love structure, so we look for anything floating out there. Year-round fishing is good here, but summer months tend to be most consistent. What guests love is their aerial show when hooked - these fish jump repeatedly and change colors like a light display. Plus they're fantastic eating with that firm, mild white meat. They're fast growers that spawn constantly, so the population stays healthy. My tip: when you see one, there's usually more underneath. Keep one hooked fish in the water while rigging another rod - the school often stays around their hooked buddy.
Tetrapturus AngustirostrisKnown locally as Hebi, these lean billfish are some of the rarest catches you'll encounter out here. They typically run 40-60 pounds with that distinctive short bill and high dorsal fin that sets them apart from marlin. You'll find them in deep blue water, usually as a surprise while trolling for ahi or marlin. Best action happens during winter spawning season when they move through warmer surface currents. What makes them special is their scarcity - most anglers go years without seeing one. The meat is outstanding, similar to marlin but with more pronounced flavor that grills beautifully. When you do hook one, they fight like a smaller marlin with impressive jumps. Pro tip: if you're marking bait in 80-degree water during winter months, keep your spread out longer than usual - these fish are spooky and often follow before striking.
Acanthocybium SolandriCalled "ono" locally meaning "delicious," these are some of the fastest fish in the ocean hitting 60 mph when they want to. Most wahoo we catch run 20-40 pounds with that distinctive torpedo shape and razor-sharp teeth. They patrol the deep blue water and love to ambush bait, so we high-speed troll at 12-15 knots to trigger their strike instincts. Peak season runs May through October when they're most active in our waters. What makes them special is that lightning-fast initial run - nothing pulls drag like a hot wahoo. The meat is premium stuff, white and flaky with a mild taste that makes perfect fish tacos. Wire leaders are a must since they'll cut through anything else with those teeth. Best tip I can share: when wahoo fishing, speed kills. Don't be afraid to run your lures faster than feels natural - these fish love to chase down fast-moving prey.
Halichoeres CyanocephalusThis small reef fish isn't really a target species for our offshore trips, but worth knowing about if you're planning any nearshore or reef fishing later. They max out around 11 inches and live in 65-300 feet of water over sandy or rocky bottoms. You'll see juveniles acting as cleaners around the reefs, picking parasites off larger fish, while adults graze for worms and small crustaceans. Their bright blue-green bodies with yellow bands make them popular for aquariums. Since they're found in Atlantic and Caribbean waters rather than our Pacific waters here in Kona, you won't encounter them on our charters. If you do fish for them elsewhere, use light tackle with size 4-6 hooks and fresh mussels or worms - they'll just nibble at shrimp or crab baits without committing.
Thunnus AlbacaresAhi are the bread and butter of Kona fishing - these torpedo-shaped powerhouses average 60-100 pounds but can push well over 200. They cruise the deep blue water in the top 300 feet, often around current breaks and temperature lines. We fish them year-round, but fall and winter months typically produce the largest fish. What anglers love is their brute strength - once hooked, they make long, powerful runs that test your tackle and endurance. The meat is world-class, perfect for sashimi or searing as steaks. These warm-blooded fish are built for speed and can hit 50 mph when running. We use various techniques from trolling to chunking to jigging, depending on conditions. Key tip: when you're fighting one, stay patient and let your drag do the work. Try to muscle them up too fast and they'll sound deep on you, making the fight twice as long.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Jeff and his crew were AMAZING. They put us on fish right away and it was non stop. i actually had to take a small break l...
Kailua-Kona