Kailua-Kona Night Fishing for Big Game Fish
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Night fishing charter targets tuna and mahi mahi offshore3.5-hour trip uses lights to attract pelagic speciesSix-person capacity with Reel Havoc Sportfishing crew
When the sun drops behind the Big Island's volcanic peaks, that's when the real action kicks off on Kona's legendary fishing grounds. This 3.5-hour night charter with Reel Havoc Sportfishing puts you right in the thick of it, targeting hungry pelagics that move up from the depths to feed under cover of darkness. We're talking prime-time fishing here – yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, and other trophy species that cruise these waters when most boats are tied up at the dock.
Night fishing in Kona isn't your typical sunset cruise – it's a focused, high-energy session designed around fish behavior. We head out as daylight fades, positioning ourselves over productive bottom structure where baitfish concentrate after dark. The boat's equipped with powerful LED light arrays that create an underwater feeding zone, drawing in squid, flying fish, and other forage that big pelagics can't resist. You'll feel the excitement build as we watch the sonar light up with bait balls forming beneath the boat. The crew keeps things moving with multiple rod setups, switching between live bait presentations and artificial lures depending on what the fish are telling us. With a maximum of 6 anglers, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personalized coaching from our experienced captain and mate.
Night fishing off Kona relies on proven techniques that take advantage of low-light feeding patterns. We deploy high-powered underwater lights that penetrate 60-80 feet down, creating a massive feeding zone that acts like a dinner bell for pelagics. The setup includes both surface lights and deep-drop LED arrays, forming layers of attraction that pull fish up from different depths. Our trolling spreads use larger, more visible lures with glow-in-the-dark inserts and rattles that create vibration in the water column. When fish show up on the sonar, we switch to live bait fishing with circle hooks and fluorocarbon leaders, presenting squid, mackerel, or flying fish on both surface and mid-water rigs. The boat's positioned to drift naturally with the current, keeping lines in the strike zone while the lights do their work below.
Yellowfin Tuna are the bread and butter of Kona night fishing, with these powerful pelagics moving up from deeper water to feed on the abundant baitfish that gather under our lights. These ahi typically range from 40-100 pounds in Kona waters, though bigger fish over 150 pounds show up regularly. They're most active during the first two hours after sunset when the light transition triggers aggressive feeding behavior. What makes yellowfin so exciting is their initial blistering run – often 200+ yards of screaming drag before you can even think about turning their head. The meat quality on these night-caught fish is exceptional since they haven't been stressed by hours of surface fighting in the hot sun.
Mahi Mahi become incredibly aggressive night feeders, especially around floating debris or structure where they can ambush prey. These dorado average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds during peak season from spring through fall. They're drawn to the commotion created by our light setup and often travel in small schools, meaning multiple hookups are common. Mahi are pure adrenaline on light tackle – their aerial acrobatics and speed make them a favorite among anglers who want non-stop action. The night bite often produces bigger, more mature bulls that are more cautious during daylight hours.
Blue Marlin occasionally cruise through our light spread, drawn by the concentration of baitfish and the activity of smaller predators. These apex predators can appear without warning, often taking a bait intended for tuna or mahi. Kona's blues range from juvenile fish around 100 pounds to true giants exceeding 400 pounds. Night encounters tend to be explosive since marlin use the low-light conditions to their advantage when hunting. While they're not the primary target on this shorter trip, the possibility of a marlin bite adds an element of anticipation that keeps every angler alert.
Wahoo are speed demons that patrol the edges of our light zone, using their incredible velocity to slash through bait schools. These torpedo-shaped predators typically run 20-60 pounds in Kona waters, with their razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs making them a challenging opponent on any tackle. They're most active during the transition periods at dusk and dawn, often striking trolled lures at the beginning or end of our light fishing session. Wahoo are prized for their firm, white meat that's considered some of the best eating in the ocean.
Black Marlin are less common but represent the ultimate prize for any night fishing adventure. These bruisers prefer the deeper waters just offshore from Kona, occasionally moving up to investigate the activity around our light spread. Blacks are known for their raw power and stubborn fighting style, often staying deep and using their weight against the angler rather than jumping like their blue marlin cousins. Any black marlin encounter during a night trip becomes an instant legend, with fish ranging from 200 pounds to true monsters over 600 pounds.
This world-class night fishing experience offers something you won't find anywhere else – the chance to target trophy pelagics when they're most active, in a condensed timeframe that fits any vacation schedule. Reel Havoc Sportfishing has built a reputation as one of Kona's top-rated charter operations, with local knowledge and proven techniques that consistently put clients on fish. The 3.5-hour format maximizes your time on productive water while getting you back to shore at a reasonable hour. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to try something different or a newcomer wanting to experience big game fishing, this night charter delivers the goods. Don't let another Kona vacation pass without experiencing the magic of fishing under
Step aboard this fully restored 39' Topaz sportfishing machine, built to chase tuna and mahi through Kona's dark waters. Twin 500HP Yanmar engines push this beauty at 24 knots, getting you to the fishing grounds fast while the pelagics are actively feeding. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility for spotting surface action, while the fish finder helps locate schools moving up from the depths. Below deck, you'll find everything needed for serious night fishing – a full kitchen for prepping bait, refrigerator and icebox to keep your catch fresh, plus air conditioning when you need a break from the action. The onboard bed and toilet mean comfort during those longer fights with big yellowfin. GPS navigation keeps you on productive water, and the multimedia system provides entertainment during the cruise out. This boat handles Kona's offshore conditions with ease, accommodating up to 6 anglers who want to target the pelagics that hunt under cover of darkness. When artificial lights draw baitfish to the surface, the real predators follow – and that's when the rods start bending.
Istiompax IndicaBlack marlin are the heavy hitters of the billfish world - pure muscle and attitude wrapped in a dark blue package. They average 200-400 pounds and fight harder than their blue marlin cousins, with that signature power and aggression that'll push your tackle to the limit. Unlike blues, these fish sometimes come closer to shore near reefs and drop-offs. They're less common in our waters but show up during warmer periods. What sets them apart is their rigid pectoral fins and that bulldozer fighting style - no fancy jumps, just raw power. The meat's good, but most get released. Here's what I tell clients: when you hook a black marlin, settle in for a long battle and keep that drag smooth. Their fixed fins create drag, so they'll use that against you in the fight.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the apex predators around Kona - these monsters can reach 1,000+ pounds (females are much larger than males). They cruise the deep blue water outside our reef, usually in the top 100 feet where they hunt yellowfin and skipjack tuna. The cooler months from October through April bring the best action when water temps drop slightly. What makes them special? Pure power and those famous acrobatic jumps that'll get your heart racing. The meat's decent, but most folks release these beauties. Local tip: when trolling for marlin, keep your lures skipping on the surface - they love to come up and smash baits that mimic flying fish. Heavy tackle is a must because once hooked, you're in for a long battle with one of the ocean's toughest fighters.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi (or dorado) are some of the most colorful fighters you'll encounter - brilliant gold and blue that shifts like a light show when they're hooked. Most run 15-30 pounds around here, though we see bigger ones. They love floating debris, weed lines, and structure in the upper water column. Year-round fishing, but summer months are prime time. What guests love most is their aggressive surface strikes and wild acrobatic fights - plus they're absolutely delicious eating with that firm, mild white meat. The key to finding them is looking for birds working floating objects or current breaks. Pro tip: when you hook one mahi, don't boat it right away - leave it in the water while you cast to the school that's usually following. They're curious fish and often travel in groups.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our waters - they'll hit a trolled lure at 50+ mph and take off like a rocket. Most run 20-40 pounds here, with that distinctive torpedo shape and razor-sharp teeth. They roam the open blue water, often around drop-offs and current edges. Best fishing is during our cooler months when they move through in good numbers. Guests love them for the blistering runs and that sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. They're called "ono" in Hawaiian, which means delicious, and that says it all. Wire leaders are absolutely essential - their teeth will slice through anything else in seconds. Here's the thing about wahoo: troll fast with bright lures and be ready for a screaming reel when they hit.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna, or "ahi" as we call them locally, are what serious anglers come to Kona for. These torpedo-shaped fighters average 40-100 pounds and can hit 200+. They roam the deep water outside our shelf, usually in the top 300 feet where baitfish concentrate. Night fishing brings them up shallow where we can get at them more easily. The fight is pure muscle - long, steady runs that'll test your endurance and gear. Plus, there's nothing better than fresh ahi poke or sashimi. They school up and move with the bait, so finding birds or current breaks is key. Local secret: when trolling at night, don't be afraid to slow down your spread. They'll often follow lures longer in low light before committing to the bite.
Kailua-Kona, HI