Aloha from Lahaina Harbor. The waters on the leeward side of Maui are producing fish as usual. There has been a steady stream of mahis and onos making their way into Lahaina Harbor as well as some blue marlin appearances. If there are any questions about the fishing, feel free to call Deli in Start Me Up’s Lahaina Harbor booth at 808-667-7879 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Hawaii Time or email startmeupfish@gmail.com. The report below contains some of Start Me Up’s recent anglers and their catch.


Large pieces of flotsam that have been in the water for a substantial amount of time tend to attract fish, but finding a solitary piece of partially submerged debris in the ocean can be like finding a needle in a haystack. The McCaw family was fortunate enough to find the needle in the haystack and once they did, the bite was on. All three generations took part in the action to catch five mahis, three onos, and some tunas.

Zandy Feinstein caught a big cow mahi on bait while working the K FAD approximately seven miles off the Lanai lighthouse.

Friends Jordan Conn and Spencer Malgarin went fishing together and each caught a mahi. Their parents remarked that the trip was a great experience for both boys.

The Deets, who are repeat anglers with Start Me Up, found the fish again. This time Daren and Gloria came across their mahis at JJ buoy. As usual, the fish were not able to resist live bait.

Colin Ryan took care of business when this ono bit the general jet running on the short rigger. Catching the ono was a sweet revenge for Colin, who had a marlin jump off earlier in the four hour afternoon trip.

Rob Hermanson and Tanner Armstrong landed a nice pair of mahis owing to their diligence in working a nice current line between Lanai and Kahoolawe.

Mike Marquardt tagged and released an estimated 175 lb. blue marlin in the area surrounding the shoals of Kahoolawe. Mike's blue marlin was only part of a great trip that included a few mahis, including a big bull.

The Farmers Bureau Insurance agents caught a few more mahis with team Start Me Up. Farmers Bureau Insurance agents have been visiting in waves and we have enjoyed fishing with them.

Twins Devin and Chad Schaumburg come out and fish with Start Me Up every year. This year they came in from their four hour morning trip with a nice ono as well as a mahi.

Mary Juve celebrated her marriage the day after her wedding by going out on a short morning trip and catching her first ocean fish, a mahi.

Both Steve Harper and Doug Harwood waited until the late moments in their trip to land a mahi within a few miles of the harbor entrance. The outcome of many trips has been changed in the waters near Lahaina Harbor. Catching a fish is never truly out of the question until all the hooks are out of the water.

The day came to a great close for Mitch Harvey. Mitch caught this mahi on a general jet a short time after he jumped off another fish on a four hour afternoon trip.

Marlene Bougher, Max Rowland, and Wayne Miller went north to the blue roof off Molokai. They ended up with a mixed bag as Marlene boated a mahi and Max and Wayne each landed an ono.

Dave Pratt and Ted Norman caught a pair of mahis. As Dave and Ted can verify, both the big and small mahis are delicious.

Dave Czech did not miss his opportunity when this mahi came streaking in on the pink and silver KK Pono. The hookup was solid and Dave had no problem getting the fish to the boat.

Conner St. John caught his mahi on a pearl head lure shortly after leaving the harbor.

Three generations of the Salois family teamed up to boat this ono in the area off Lanai known as containers.

This trio of anglers included Matt Haller and Mark and Kathleen Jackson. They had a successful day on the water, finishing with a stringer of mahis that included a couple of nice bulls. The fish were caught while baiting FAD buoys and trolling in the blind.

Thanks for checking out yet another Start Me Up fishing report. Any questions can be directed towards Deli in Start Me Up’s Lahaina Harbor booth at 808-667-7879 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Hawaii Time. Another option is to email startmeupfish@gmail.com. Until the next report, tight lines.

Aloha,
Jonny