5.0(3 Reviews)Private Offshore Fishing Charter - Kailua-Kona
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private fullday charter targets Blue Marlin and Mahi MahiBeginnerfriendly guidance with all fishing gear provided includedOptional snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay between fishing sessions
Picture this: you're cruising the deep blue waters off Kailua-Kona's legendary coastline, lines in the water, waiting for that telltale zing of a reel screaming as a marlin takes your bait. This private full-day charter with Silky Sportfishing is built specifically for folks new to offshore fishing, but don't let that fool you – these waters hold some of the Pacific's most prized gamefish. Captain John and his crew know exactly where to find them, and they'll have you fishing like a pro by the end of the day. With room for up to six anglers, this isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. It's your boat, your crew, and your shot at landing the fish of a lifetime in some of Hawaii's most productive offshore waters.
Your day starts early at Kailua-Kona's harbor, where you'll meet your captain and first mate aboard a spacious 47-foot sportfisher that's built for comfort and serious fishing. The boat's equipped with everything you need – top-shelf rods and reels, fresh bait, and all the tackle required to tangle with big pelagic fish. As you head out, the water drops off quickly here, meaning you'll be fishing productive depths within minutes of leaving the dock. The crew will set you up with four to six lines trolling behind the boat, using a mix of lures and live bait that Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, and Yellowfin Tuna simply can't resist. Between fishing sessions, there's an option to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay – a nice break that lets everyone cool off and explore Hawaii's coral reefs. Don't forget to grab your non-resident fishing license online before the trip, and be aware that fuel costs can add a $100 surcharge depending on how far offshore you venture.
Offshore fishing here is all about trolling – running multiple lines at different depths and speeds to cover water and find active fish. The crew will rig everything from surface lures that skip and pop behind the boat to deeper-running baits that target fish 20-40 feet down. You'll be using heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound test line, because when a 200-pound marlin decides to make a run, lighter gear just won't cut it. The key is patience and staying alert – strikes can happen fast, and you need to be ready to grab the rod and start fighting. The captain will coach you through proper fighting technique, showing you how to pump and wind, use the boat's fighting chair if needed, and work as a team to land your fish. Live bait like ono (skip jack tuna) is deadly effective here, but don't overlook the artificial lures – Hawaii's gamefish are aggressive and will often hit flashy lures that mimic flying fish or small tuna.
"Cpt John worked very hard to get our 11 yr old grandson a big fish. Success. We also snorkeled at Cpt Cook memorial. Highly recommend combining a fishing charter and snorkeling. Helps save $$$ too. One charter not two. Outstanding equipment. The very best. 47' boat was very comfortable for our non-fishing Wife (grandmother) who could watch the smiles. Cpt John and first mate we're professional businessmen, retired to years of helping clients like us learn about the big Island and get the most out of a day on the water. Saw Dolphins and had a shark chase one of the tuna we caught. Thanks guys!" - Richard
"Great experience on our trip. Caught two large spearfish and had fun all day. Highly recommend" - Filip
"Awesome trip we had! Caught a big spearfish, the fight was amazing, thanks captain Dave!" - David
Blue Marlin are the holy grail of Kona fishing, and these waters are famous worldwide for producing giants. These apex predators can exceed 400 pounds and are most active during summer months, though they're caught year-round. When a marlin hits, you'll know it – the reel explodes into action as the fish makes its first blistering run. They're notorious for their aerial displays, launching completely out of the water in spectacular jumps. What makes catching one so special isn't just their size, but their intelligence and fighting ability. A hooked marlin will use every trick in the book to throw the hook.
Mahi Mahi, or common dolphinfish, are the perfect beginner's gamefish – aggressive, beautiful, and absolutely delicious. These fast-growing fish travel in schools and are most abundant from spring through fall. They're attracted to floating debris, so captains often look for logs or patches of seaweed where mahi like to hang out. When you hook into a school, it's not uncommon to catch several fish in quick succession. Their brilliant gold and green colors make them one of the most photogenic catches you'll find, and their acrobatic fights provide plenty of action without the marathon battles of larger species.
Yellowfin Tuna are the workhorses of offshore fishing here, available year-round and prized for their incredible strength and speed. These torpedo-shaped fighters can reach 100+ pounds and will test your endurance with long, powerful runs. They often travel with dolphins, so when you spot spinner dolphins, there's a good chance yellowfin are below. The meat is sushi-grade, making them a favorite target for anglers who want to take home a premium dinner.
Shortbill Spearfish and Striped Marlin round out the target species list, both offering exciting fights on lighter tackle. Shortbill spearfish are smaller cousins to marlin, typically ranging 20-40 pounds, but they're
The Silky is your ticket to serious offshore fishing in Kona's legendary blue waters. This 45-foot Viking sportfisher combines tournament-grade performance with cruise-ship comfort – think air conditioning when the Hawaiian sun gets intense, two full staterooms if someone needs a break from the action, and dual bathrooms so nobody's crossing their legs while waiting for that marlin bite. Built for groups up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with the tech that matters: GPS to hit the honey holes, radar for those rare foggy mornings, and fish finders that'll show you exactly what's swimming below. The flybridge gives your captain the perfect vantage point to spot diving birds and color changes, while the icebox and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and your drinks cold. With a full galley onboard, you can fuel up between fishing spots or grab a snack while trolling for mahi mahi. Whether you're targeting blue marlin in the deep or pulling yellowfin tuna from the channel, The Silky delivers the stability and amenities that turn a good fishing day into a great one on Kona's productive offshore grounds.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the giants we're all chasing out here - the holy grail of Kona fishing. These cobalt-blue beasts cruise our deep waters year-round, with females reaching massive sizes up to 1,000+ pounds while males stay smaller around 300. You'll find them in the blue water along temperature breaks and current edges. They're built for power with that iconic spear bill and can put up fights lasting hours with spectacular jumps. The females we call "granders" when they hit 1,000+ pounds are what fishing dreams are made of. Peak season runs summer through fall, but honestly we catch them any month. They eat well - tuna, mackerel, whatever's swimming. Here's my local secret: when trolling, keep that bait skipping on the surface and watch for birds working baitfish. That's where the blues will be hunting.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are pure eye candy and fantastic eating - probably our most reliable catch for beginners. These golden beauties with electric blue-green sides average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+. They love hanging under floating debris, logs, or any structure in the open ocean, usually in the top 100 feet of water. We catch them year-round here, but spring through fall is prime time when they're most active. What guests love is the amazing color show they put on when hooked - flashing gold, green, and blue before fading after landing. They fight hard for their size and are absolutely delicious - mild, sweet, firm white meat that grills perfectly. Pro tip: when you see frigate birds diving on debris or weed lines, get your lines ready. Where there's floating stuff and birds, there's mahi underneath waiting to ambush flying fish.
Tetrapturus AngustirostrisShortbill spearfish are one of our most unique billfish catches here in Kona. These lean, silver beauties usually run 40-75 pounds with distinctive black upper bands and that trademark short bill that's barely longer than their lower jaw. They're surface feeders that cruise the deep blue water year-round, though we see more during winter spawning season when water temps hit that sweet 77-degree mark. What makes them special is they're rarely targeted - most are lucky bycatch when we're trolling for marlin or tuna. The fight is wild but brief since they only live 3-4 years max. Meat-wise, they're excellent table fare with a taste between marlin and tuna. My tip: when you hook one, enjoy the show because they don't last long on the line, but man do they put on a display with those acrobatics.
Kajikia AudaxStriped marlin are hands down the most beautiful billfish we catch - those pale blue stripes stay visible even after landing. They're smaller than blues, averaging 200-300 pounds, with a more slender torpedo shape that makes them crazy fast. We find them in the same deep blue water as other billfish, but they seem to prefer areas where currents meet and baitfish concentrate. Winter through spring is our best time when water temps are right. What guests love is their aerial show - these fish jump more than any other marlin species and put on a real display. The meat is excellent, similar to swordfish but with more flavor - makes great poke or sashimi. My go-to technique: watch for skipjack tuna schools on the surface. Striped marlin follow them religiously, so when you see tuna jumping, get ready for marlin action underneath.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are the speed demons of our waters - these torpedo-shaped fighters can hit 50 mph and will test your arms. We target them in the deeper blue water, usually in the top 300 feet where they school up chasing bait. Most of our catches run 40-100 pounds, though we occasionally see 200+ pounders. They're warm-blooded fish, which makes them incredibly strong fighters that just don't quit. What makes them special is that bright yellow on the fins and that premium sashimi-grade meat - second only to bluefin for quality. We fish for them year-round, but summer months are best when the bait schools are thick. They hit trolled lures hard or you can jig for them when they're deep. Local trick: when the dolphins are around, yellowfin are usually close by. Both species hunt the same baitfish, so follow the marine life activity.
5.0 out of 5.0Cpt John worked very hard to get our 11 yr old grandson a big fish. Success. We also snorkeled at Cpt Cook memorial. Highly recomm...
Great experience on our trip. Caught two large spearfish and had fun all day. Highly recommend
Awesome trip we had! Caught a big spearfish, the fight was amazing, thanks captain Dave!
Kona