Kona report February

[reel fool]

February was an up & down month. The boat I was on fished just 15 days, so we were on the rip only half the month. In those days, we had--3 striped marlin bites, all 3 were caught, tagged & released; 2 spearfish bites, 1 miss, 1 filet & release; 3 gaffer mahi mahi bites, 2 caught, 1 miss; 2 ono bites, 2 caught. For us, it was rather slow. But, the bite for the fleet was ok to good. There were several large blue marlin caught again this month, including an 846 lb--sitting at the top of the Big Fish List in Kona. 2 other fish caught this month made the Big Fish List--66 lb ono & 110 lb swordfish. While the ono have started to make an appearance, the Mahi Mahi & Blue Marlin bites have improved the most. There have been an increasing number of larger fish, both species, being seen, hooked & lost, tagged & released, and captured. The larger ahi made another appearance as well. Usually a summer, late fall fish in Kona, there have been Ahi up to 183 lbs caught this year, with several between 90 and 135 lbs caught in February. We are hoping on an increase in stripeys as well, but, while they have been around, they are not in the numbers we should be seeing. The increase in number & size of blue ones should make up for it! Overall, February was an improvement over January for total catch, although more of the Big Fish were captured in January. Along with the improved fishing has come the expected fading of the big winter surf in Hawaii. The last big swell that I can remember was about three to three & a half weeks ago. We may not see BIG surf again until next fall, although 2-5 ft waves are common.

I have switched jobs here in Kona. I found an opportunity that will allow me to get on the rip 6 to 7 days per week, including 1 day a week on the bridge. I came to Kona for some great experience, especially on large blue marlin (500-1000 lbs). You can't catch them at the dock & this job affords me the opportunity to be where the fish are. The captain is a good guy, born & raised in Hawaii, with lots of good experience--both charter & commercial.

Aloha

[Capt_John]

Who you fishing with now? Capt. Brian too hard on ya?

[Bay Fishin]

Nice Report!! Cool pic of the baby wahoo, shows its great color

Whats a filet and release?

[reel fool]

Originally Posted by Capt_John

Who you fishing with now? Capt. Brian too hard on ya?

I am on one of the Bite Me boats now. Left another boat for this job. Fishing with Capt Kevin Hiney.

[Anngler]

Awesome reports and nice pics!

[jwalker]

Hey Man,
Spoke to Marlin Yesterday, he told me about the pick-up in Big Blue Marlin chewing, good news for all, good luck in your new gig, I noticed his fish reports from the past season and looks like you made a good decision, congrats
Johnny

[johnseafood]

Thanks for the report from the other side of the world Congrats on your new gig and I wish you the best of luck

[jbones11]

Keep the reports and pics coming. Good luck on the new adventure.
Whats the bottom fish ?

[reel fool]

Originally Posted by jbones11

Keep the reports and pics coming. Good luck on the new adventure.
Whats the bottom fish ?

that's a small wahoo (weehoo)

thanx for the kind remarks everyone. a little teaser to the march report---the bite has picked up suddenly--on blues (including the BIG girls), stripeys & spearfish. but wouldn't you know it, the mahi mahi bites is not what it was. heard of a few paddling north, running for their lives

[Reelhope]

Nice pics-Don't you miss OC-yeah right! I liked the pictures the other day of the lava and others--keep em coming--its nice to see how the other world lives!