Kona in december?

[loosegoose]

Just wondering if anyone knows how the fishing is off kona late november early december? We are heading there and maui, and didnt know if it was worth booking a trip ahead of time... any thoughts would be appreciated.... also any info on boats there would be helpful too.

[Capt_John]

I can't swear on Kona, but I do know that off of Kauai the striped marlin and very,very big mahi show up in force. Not too many big blues, but a few small males.

[clt_capt]

I've been there twice now in December. First in 2004, second in 2006 - We were there at Christmas, and the captains were saying that that is typically the start of striped marlin in Kona.

In 4 days of fishing (late December) we have caught 1 Blue (Small), 1 Short Nosed Spearfish, 2 Stripeys, 3 gaffer dolphin, a bunch of small yfts, a few large Aku (skipjack) - and jumped off a few more assorted bills.

Each day there have been boats trying for Large Yellowfin - they are around - just scattered..

3 of the 4 days we fished with Capt Jerry Allen on Sea Dancer and were very pleased - Nice guy, Good captain. The boat is a 31 Bertram and reasonably priced. http://www.fishkona.org/sea_dancer.html

[hrdcor32]

I booked my honeymoon trip in October with Captain Jerry. He says October is a so-so month so we will see. I am flying over from Oahu to Kona, I can't wait.

[Dylan]

Ive fished Maui and Kona 4 time during x-mas week. The only thing we caught were juvie bigeyes, which we used to bridle up in hopes for some larger pelagics.

I would look up the Sea Genie II captained by Gene Van der Hoek, Marlin Magic with Marlin Parker, or the Northern Lights with Kevin Nakamaru.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I am not sure if he is still running trips, but look up Kenny Llanes and the "Leigh Aloha". I fished with him 7 days on my honeymoon and he is a pleasure. I hope he is still well. Get him to take you on an overnighter down around Southpoint if you want a real treat. Contact him personally, he will take care of you if he is still at it.
Holwachagot

[tom@marlinstar]

Kona in November/December can be slow.Captains re usually winding down in December and looking towards boat maintenance. BUT..... a Grander has been caught every month of the year so that being said I would NEVER pass on dragging the waters of Kona !

[reel fool]

Fishing in Kona is typical Blue Marlin fishing. You drag around, cover alot of ground b4 you get a bite, or you don't. I've dragged 45+ hours without a billfish bite & I've had 4 bites (4 different blues) in 15 minutes. There is always a reasonable possibility of seeing a monster--saw 2 HUGE blues this past season. That being said, it's only money & you can't catch 'em at the dock.
some recommendations:
1-book now.
2-ask lots of questions--be sure you are booking the trip you think you are
3-expect to catch nothing--it's fishing. Kona in the winter can be sloooooooowwwwww, but then that beast could show up. that's why you are there. fishing for one bite.
4-book a good boat, some already mentioned

Not in any order
Marlin Parker--Marlin Magic 2
Jason Holtz--Marlin Magic--only if Jason is on the wheel
Mike Holtz--Ihu Nui
Humdinger--Jeff Fay
Sea Genie 2--Gene VanDerHook
Northern Lights--Kevin Nakumaru or Stimey(his mate--topshelf fisherman too)
Bite Me 1--Kevin Hiney

For my $$, I would book Bite Me 1--Kevin is a great fisherman, a real animal to fish with and cool as he11. I worked for him for 3 weeks b4 switching over to the big boat, the Bite Me 2. The other boats will be more $$. Fishing with Kevin on Bite Me 1 is the best value for the dollar.

IMHO this list is the whos-who of Kona fishing. Feel free to send me a PM & I will get you some phone numbers.

[reel fool]

Kona in November/December can be slow.Captains re usually winding down in December and looking towards boat maintenance. BUT..... a Grander has been caught every month of the year so that being said I would NEVER pass on dragging the waters of Kona !

Agree--fishing can be slow, but the boats winding down are the seasonal boats. I would not spend my $$ fishing with a part-time fisherman. The boats in Kona (and anywhere else) that catch more, fish more. Most of the best options are still fishing in December. No one on my list puts their boat away in the winter. and yes, blue marlin 500-1000+ are seen & caught all 12 months of the year in Kona--big part of its lure.

[Bomboy Llanes]

I am not sure if he is still running trips, but look up Kenny Llanes and the "Leigh Aloha". I fished with him 7 days on my honeymoon and he is a pleasure. I hope he is still well. Get him to take you on an overnighter down around Southpoint if you want a real treat. Contact him personally, he will take care of you if he is still at it.
Holwachagot

Capt,Kenny Llanes now owns & operates the Lehuanani 38' pacifica (808) 329-3171 0r contact Capt,Bomboy Llanes (808) 960-8528