Types of Big Game Fish

• The big game fish of Hawaii are just part of the story for sport fishing the islands. The largest big game fish in Hawaii, the striped marlin, blue marlin, spearfish and sailfish, while legendary for their acrobatic jumps and lightning speed, are just a sampling of the big game fishing challenges that await the angler. Yellowfin tuna, ahi and ono, while smaller in stature, are fish that fight very hard and give the angler quite a thrill. Smaller game fish such as yellowfin tuna can be caught with light tackle for those seeking a memorable challenge.
  
  

Location

• The big game fish are found in many of the Hawaiian waters but can vary by the island and the time of year. Oahu, Haleiwa and the North Shore's deep blue waters are home to blue marlin, wahoo, dolphin fish, yellowfin tuna and skipjack tuna. These big game fish hunt from surface water down to 1,000 fathoms. Large billfish, such as the Pacific blue marlin, striped marlin and sailfish, are found in Waikiki and Haleiwa because of the abundance of their favorite food source, skipjack tuna.
  
  

Fishing Season

• In Oahu, North Shore and Haleiwa, Hawaii, the big game fishing season varies by the fish and the time of year. If you are going for marlin, a very popular choice and strong fighter, the best time of year is September through December. January and February and June through August offer good fishing for marlin as well. Wahoo, yellowfin, bigeye tuna and skipjack tuna are very strong June through August and still pretty good September through December. Dolphin fish, another popular, strong fighting big game fish, is very good March through May, with good fishing noted June through September.
  The waters of Maui, Wailea and Kapalua see different action with blue marlin running strong May through September.
  
  

Use of Devices

• The state of Hawaii uses fish aggregation devices in the waters around the main Hawaiian islands. These devices attract schools of dolphin fish, wahoo and large predatory fish and act as nurseries for many pelagic species. More food sources means bigger predators and better chances for catching your Hawaiian big game fish.
  
  

Charters

• Charters are mostly offered as full or partial charters for quarter, half and full day excursions. Most charters take care of everything for your big game fish experience including all bait and tackle. The boats set and drop their line at harbor and troll out into deep waters one to three hours. Most charters offer both live bait and lure fishing for big game fishing. Some will fillet your fish and pack it in ice for you to enjoy that evening, but will not ship to the mainland, while others will charge for the additional services to render your catch. Most Hawaiian charters practice catch and release depending on the condition of the fish when caught and/or with the discussion of your intentions.