Big Island Fishing Charters - Kona Area/Hawaii

SpringVelocity

Crew Member
Anyone I have any recommendations for charters? I am going to Big Island at end of December. Been on trip years back at Kauai. Never been to big island of Hawaii before.
 
Where are you staying? Honokohau ships harbor (marina) has a bunch of good chatter skippers just north of kona town.

If you're in the Waikaloa area or north, then aim to charter out of kawaihae harbor. It's quieter and I'd say more rugged than the Honokoau fishing, those guys hit the off shore trench where the guys up north fish structure.

Can't go too wrong, oh and bring your visa, fully paid off first haha

Oh and a pro tip for when you land at Koa, leave someone to grab the bags and sprint to the car rental joint, or wait forever in line...
 
Where are you staying? Honokohau ships harbor (marina) has a bunch of good chatter skippers just north of kona town.

If you're in the Waikaloa area or north, then aim to charter out of kawaihae harbor. It's quieter and I'd say more rugged than the Honokoau fishing, those guys hit the off shore trench where the guys up north fish structure.

Can't go too wrong, oh and bring your visa, fully paid off first haha

Oh and a pro tip for when you land at Koa, leave someone to grab the bags and sprint to the car rental joint, or wait forever in line...
Car rental tip is A+ info we do the same in Maui or just go carry on. What a nightmare it can be otherwise, multiple flights unloading on the same luggage rack 🤦‍♂️ its van isle time x5 over there speed wise.
 
Where are you staying? Honokohau ships harbor (marina) has a bunch of good chatter skippers just north of kona town.

If you're in the Waikaloa area or north, then aim to charter out of kawaihae harbor. It's quieter and I'd say more rugged than the Honokoau fishing, those guys hit the off shore trench where the guys up north fish structure.

Can't go too wrong, oh and bring your visa, fully paid off first haha

Oh and a pro tip for when you land at Koa, leave someone to grab the bags and sprint to the car rental joint, or wait forever in line...

Thanks I am just south of Kona at Kahaluu-Keauhou. Looks like both harbours you mentioned are easy driving distance.

Haha Yeah I assume the rental car thing will be like Kauai.
 
Where are you staying? Honokohau ships harbor (marina) has a bunch of good chatter skippers just north of kona town.

If you're in the Waikaloa area or north, then aim to charter out of kawaihae harbor. It's quieter and I'd say more rugged than the Honokoau fishing, those guys hit the off shore trench where the guys up north fish structure.

Can't go too wrong, oh and bring your visa, fully paid off first haha

Oh and a pro tip for when you land at Koa, leave someone to grab the bags and sprint to the car rental joint, or wait forever in line...
I always find renting from the slightly more expensive place saves that hassle. It's always the most heavily discounted one that has the huge lineup.
 
I fish with Kevin Hibbard when I go there on 2nd Offence. Good guy. Highly recommended. Give him a call.

Call Captain Hibbard at (808) 987-0781


 
I went out with Salty Squid. The boat is a Bertram 31. We got a Mahi and a big hit.....think it was Ono. Fun times. Raw boat. Just for fishing. Great guys on it. Gung ho to fish. First light.....raring to get out there.
 
Thanks for all these guys. I am going to pass. Looking into it prices were insane, and with exchange rate it didn't make sense this time around.
 
Thanks for all these guys. I am going to pass. Looking into it prices were insane, and with exchange rate it didn't make sense this time around.
I feel for you. That being said, in 2023 we went as a small group and had the best charter experience of my life. We landed 7 yellowfin, all 100 lbs+, 4 marlin (smaller, around 75 lbs) , 6 Mahi Mahi and a couple of wahoo. Perfect day.
 
I feel for you. That being said, in 2023 we went as a small group and had the best charter experience of my life. We landed 7 yellowfin, all 100 lbs+, 4 marlin (smaller, around 75 lbs) , 6 Mahi Mahi and a couple of wahoo. Perfect day.
I am curious to know how much a charter like that would cost? How many folks made up your small group?
 
Googled;

AI Overview
Learn more

Fishing charter rates in Kona, Hawaii vary by the length of the trip and the number of people on board. Prices can range from around $800 to over $1,500 per trip.

Trip length
  • Half day: A half-day trip for deep sea fishing in Kona typically costs around $917

  • Full day: A full-day trip for deep sea fishing in Kona typically costs around $1,289

  • 3/4 day: A 3/4 day private fishing charter in Kona can cost around $1,130 for six people

  • 8-hour: An 8-hour full day exclusive fishing charter in Kona can cost around $1,185–$1,485
All USD. Add 20% tip.

You'll find deep sea fishing in Kona one of the cheapest, as they don't need to run but 5 mins outside the harbour to be deep enough for fishing. Lots of places you run 1-2 hours to get to the grounds burning lots of expensive fuel and using up lots of precious fishing time... You'll also find the conditions mostly nice and calm as you're on the lee side of the island while fishing.
 
Googled;

AI Overview
Learn more

Fishing charter rates in Kona, Hawaii vary by the length of the trip and the number of people on board. Prices can range from around $800 to over $1,500 per trip.

Trip length
  • Half day: A half-day trip for deep sea fishing in Kona typically costs around $917

  • Full day: A full-day trip for deep sea fishing in Kona typically costs around $1,289

  • 3/4 day: A 3/4 day private fishing charter in Kona can cost around $1,130 for six people

  • 8-hour: An 8-hour full day exclusive fishing charter in Kona can cost around $1,185–$1,485
All USD. Add 20% tip.

You'll find deep sea fishing in Kona one of the cheapest, as they don't need to run but 5 mins outside the harbour to be deep enough for fishing. Lots of places you run 1-2 hours to get to the grounds burning lots of expensive fuel and using up lots of precious fishing time... You'll also find the conditions mostly nice and calm as you're on the lee side of the island while fishing.
Awesome. Thanks so much. I appreciate the info!!
 
These guys were reasonable. I caught a Mahi, and my wife got bit by something. Maybe wahoo/ono.....was bigger. It let go pretty quick. Started trolling a couple of minutes from the harbour. Bertram 31.
 

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These guys were reasonable. I caught a Mahi, and my wife got bit by something. Maybe wahoo/ono.....was bigger. It let go pretty quick. Started trolling a couple of minutes from the harbour. Bertram 31.
Sorry. This was out of Kona.
 
You should try coming down here. Better bang for the buck, cheaper charters and better fishing

Oh and you get to keep the fish you catch
What’s your favourite fish down there??
 
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