Surf fishing in Hawaii?

Not sure if this helps, but, I have noticed local people fishing off the beach at La Perouse Bay. Its not much of a beach since it is all rock. If you are with the new bride, I highly recommend taking the hike along the water there.

I've had limited success with the fly rod from the surf in Hawaii, but your best bet is to use clousers/deceivers and bonefish flies. Most locals use live bait, but I have had success with metal like kastmasters and hopkins. The locals will look at you funny if you throw the fish back as catch and release is rarely practiced. If you want to catch smaller tropical fish use miniscule hooks with pieces of shrimp. You may want to get your hands on one of the books by Jim Rizzuto on Hawaii fishing. Plenty of 'cuda around so you may want to use a wire leader. There is a little dilemma because fishing from sandy beaches will save you numerous breakoffs from the razor sharp lava rock and coral but most of the fish are found amongst the lava rock and coral. When in Kona, go to the Honokoha Marina (where all the marlin charters are located) and go on the rocks of the inlet there. Maybe you can convince the new bride to take a charter. (If you are interested, send me a PM and I will give you the names of a couple of great captains.)

Watch the locals as you will learn a lot.

The surf in Kauai is pretty rough so be careful on the rocks. As for Maui, I never really fish there because there is so much to do.

Good luck and have fun!

Ditto what he said on the Kona stuff. Gentry's is the biggest marina on Hawaii.

I used some clear plastic floating rigs on Maui that fill with water and slide on the running line and suspend the baits (little plastics). They act as weight and float as well. Catch something small, and liveline it!!

The whole Wailua River beach on Kauai looks totally fishable, and you can drive on it. In fact, all the islands look totally fishable...some spots more than others. Guys on the big island are actually fishing from lava promentories 50, 60 feet above the surf.

Have fun!

I ran into a cuda while snorkelling off the sandy stretch of beach of Lahaina.

On a side note, when you're on the Big Island, try to get down to Ka Lae (South Point). It's well worth the 20 mile drive down a one lane road dodging cattle the whole way, which ends on a rocky point about 60' off the water. Last time we were there there were 30' waves breaking on the beach and against the rocks. I can't help with the fishing part, I've been packing a flyrod along to the islands since 1985 and I'm still fighting off the skunk. Have a great trip.

I was in Maui and Kona for my Wedding/honeymoon.

Wailea (Maui) looked very fishable from the sand, with a few lava out-crops that closely resemble North East Jetties. Lots of spear men in the water there. Two of them witnessed my marriage!

Look up the fishing regs - I saw a lot of fish-able looking beaches that were off-limits. (Kona Village and the Four Seasons Hualalai - but some spots in-between seemed accessable to patrons rather than public.)

If your hotel rents yaks - have a go at it.

On the Big in Kona I fished out of the Marina : Definitely do a charter - it's Grander Alley! I reccomend Bite Me Sportfishing!

I stopped over at Melton International in Kona and asked about "Shore Fishing" (that's what they call it).

They pointed me towards some huge rods that dwarfed the bunker spoon rigs I use. Think Penn 4/0 or 6/0 Senator on a 15 foot XH stick!

When I asked how a high cap spin reel would do loaded with 50lb braid on 11ft heavy: "The first real big Ulua you hook will spool you or break you off on the lava."

The lava is very sharp.

They also reccomended specific footwear for the lava : sandals don't cut it.
It was a surf booty - more rubber than neoprene that had a thick felt-sole.

There is a sand beach north of Kona; a big public beach (no resort) that was very fishable - I forgot the name, but a tourist map will show you the way.

If and when I go back - I'll definitely pack a surf stick - ya never know...

well, there is no real "surf" fishing down there. really should be called "reef fishing."

anyhoo, if you're at the beach - ditch the rod and reel and go snorkeling instead (and yes, you can do this at the swanky places like the Four Seasons in Maui).

charter a boat instead and go for pelagics. avoid the hotel concierge sponsored affiliated skippers which specialize in the hawaiian circle jerk.

I highly recommend doing a charter out of Honokohau (Kona). If you are gonna be fishing off the sand, you might want to try gold kastmasters or twister-tail grubs (clear, clear with glitter, motor-oil or black).

Just a little warning - please be very careful if you decide to venture onto the rocks. The rocks can be razor sharp and can put a damper on your honeymoon real quick. Just this past several months three people drowned after being swept off the rocky shore by waves. Two were tourists and one (just a few days ago) was a local spearfisherman. Last thing you want is to get hurt or killed on your vacation.

Enjoy the scenery, try different kinds of food, go snorkeling/diving and most of all - bring lots of money cause everything is expensive here!!!

Yeah, save that for your 15th or so anniversary....... (kidding)

PS - If your into scuba, and you wear boot fins, you can use the boots as a safe alternative on the lava. My Henderson Golds have a nice reinforced bottom that works great on the lava. Never wade in Hi. without them.

I hesitate to recommend this to a man on a honeymoon, but if you really want to get into some action, see if you can get one of the locals to take you slide-bait fishing. I lived in Kona when I was younger and did this a number of times. You cast off a cliff, use a long rod. The terminal tackle is set up using a grabber weight that has a stopper set 4 or so feet above on a stainless leader. Then you slide down a slider leader with something substantial hooked up, like a whole octopus or live oama (goatfish). It swims around freely, suspended just a bit off the reef bottom. The plan is to have a 50+ lb Ulua (giant trevally) hook up.

There's a reason they chain the rods and nail the chain into the lava...

heard GT and cuda fishing is outstanding in that area.

I haven't been to Hawaii, but read about some serious GT fishing over there. you can see from the link what you can hook in Hawaii . I also heard that Chumming works well for GTs in Hawaii



I have bought a Penn Jigmaster (loaded with 30 lb Mono) and a 4/0 Penn Senator 113H (loaded with 50 lb mono) to reel in those Giant Trevallies from the rocks at home - Will be back home in a month



Maruthu

I lived in the Islands for 10 years, 15 seasons on the North Shore. Tigers PROWL in very close, I have seen them in marinas cruising around the charters. I think they are very territorial. Speardiving for years ya see the same shark in the same areas for years on those reefs. LOCALS eat the fish, and they used to eat turtles till they became offlimits. The turltes cruise the surf lines which also happens to be the tigers fav meal. Shark attacks are not uncommon, AS THEY RULE. Shark week usually has a clip on longlinning sharks just beyound the WAKIKI surf zone , while Diamound Head has the large. I have seen too many all over the islands.Kaui has had some nasty attacks, a few boogie dudes just evaporated surfing the back side oif Hanalei. REEFWALKERS is what you want to buy, sneaker bottom made on a wetsuit booty.