It started out as a four hour share Kona sportfishing charter, but with everyone’s agreement it extended to a full day.
Five passengers set out to do some serious Kona Hawaii fishing on the Bite Me 1 from Honokohau Harbor May 6th, 2012 at 10:30am. The passengers included four friends, Chris Vo, Lawrence Melbourne, James Ta and John "J.D." Doung from the San Fernando Valley in California and one Jim Baker from Half Moon Bay, California They all requested going for Ahi (Yellow Fin Tuna) so Bite Me 1 headed out to F Buoy for their Kona deep sea fishing experience.
On the way out there was one bite without hooking up. But, an hour and 15 minutes after leaving the harbor they arrived at F Buoy and proceeded to catch Ahi. After succeeding in catching enough for dinner for everyone, it was decided to troll for something even bigger!
Fishing in Kona Yields Some Amazing Things!
The big sportfishing lures were put into the sea and Bite Me 1 started to head towards the Kona shore from eight miles out. Around the 1000 fathom line, a fish came in on the long corner lure and missed it. Moments later, the fish returned and, without seeing the fish itself, it was clear from the wave it produced from under the water how large the blue marlin (aka kajiki) might be. The fish got behind the lure, but wouldn’t bite. The deckhand teased the marlin and got it bite. The fish bit and took out small bits of line, not realizing it was hooked. It then came bolting out of the water and all were shocked at the size of the monster fish that came out of the water countless times!
Jim from Half Moon Bay got into the chair while the marlin was dancing and taking out yards of line. He did his utmost and worked the fish for about 40 minutes until he was physically exhausted and asked for relief.
That's when the Captain put the "most fit" guy of the four friends, J.D., into the chair, who then proceeded to fight the marlin for 3 more hours with 65 pounds of drag. Chris, Lawrence & James assisted during his fight by spinning the fighting chair to the most advantageous direction for J.D and by supplying the angler with whatever he needed. The marlin was in sight the entire time, 40 feet below the boat in its comfort zone. This angler hung tough for 3 hours and did a great job!
Finally, the marlin turned on its side. It was getting tired. It turned on its side again and was finished. The Bite Me 1 crew brought the fish up to the boat, but it was not possible to revive the marlin.
Everyone was amazed at the size of this kajiki:
The marlin was too big to bring through the stern door, so it was towed back to Honokohau Harbor for the weigh in behind Bite Me Fish Market Bar and Grill Restaurant.
The scale read a thrilling 921 pounds!
It was a fishing trip of a lifetime for all involved, crew and passengers. Long live the Bite Me 1! Want to try your hand at some Kona sport fishing action? Bite Me Sportfishing offers half- and full-day fishing charters every day from Kailua-Kona.
What does it take for a total novice on their first time sport fishing on the Big Island of Hawaii? Just the will to go for it!
Here's a first-person look at what its like to go sportfishing with Bite Me charters, a story sent in from a fishing novice:
"The capable crew at Bite Me Sportfishing Charters led me through finding my sea legs and learning the fascinating process of dropping five lines in the water for some serious Kona sportsfishing trolling.
"Within five minutes of leaving the mouth of Honokohau Harbor in the Kona District of the Big Island of Hawai’i we’re trolling! This is time well spent. We’re on the Bite Me 5, and it’s just us and our captain, who we all watch with wide eyes as he deftly moves about the fishing vessel, getting all of the gear quickly into place.
"We then had a lesson about the fighting chair--how to 'click in.' Then, how to handle the reel and the fishing line (no contact with the line when it’s being pulled out!), then making sure to spindle properly when guiding a big Pelagic fish in. Planting my feet properly on the footboard of the fighting chair and taking my time bringing in my dinner made it all a wonderful success!
"We headed for the birds and the spinner dolphins, which were helping us hunt on the Big Island Pacific shelf. It’s awesome just to see the island of Hawaii from the water. Soon enough we heard that reel spinning away – fish on!
"We got a big Ahi on the line, and after putting some energy into it, got it on the leader and close enough to gaffe and call it Landed! How proud were we coming back into Honokohau marina after our deep sea fishing experience in Kona, Hawaii! We pulled up to the landing dock just outside the Bite Me Restaurant Bar & Grill to have our 170-pound Yellowfin Tuna hoisted up on the crane from the dock to the landing, right behind the patio of the restaurant. All of the customers were stoked to see a big fish come in!
"We got a picture of us all with the full shaka on and came back for our fresh catch prepared for us at the Bite Me Restaurant. What a piece of Heaven!"
If you have saved up for your Hawaiian vacation, Don’t miss the Kona Sportsfishing Charters at Bite Me Sportfishing! Think of it this way, you’ve already travelled at least 2,500 miles to get to the Big Island of Hawaii, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to try big pelagic fishing in the beautiful district of Kona!
What's your Hawaii fishing story? Leave a comment below about your first fishing trip!
On Saturday, April 14, the Bite Me 2 caught a huge 680 lb Pacific Blue Marlin “Kajiki.” The anglers on board were a group of snowboarders from the Zombie Boardshop in Minnesota. 24 miles off shore Captain Brad and deckhand Hector helped angler Shawn get the marlin in the boat in a mere 25 minute fight! The group is having their Marlin taxiderimied with Grays Taxidermy in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Ironically, it’s a fishing legend that bringing bananas on the boat are bad luck. The ancient Hawaiians have said that the when the pioneers came over with bananas on the boats that snakes were coiled in the bunches and ended up killing everybody on the boat. This group, however, defied the odds and were “666 bananas deep,” and lucky enough to land this monster along with a 25lb shortnose spearfish “Hebi.”
A trip to the Big Island of Hawaii can be the vacation of a lifetime. The sunshine, rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean, and lush landscapes are dreamlike visions destined to be remembered forever.
Why not make your Hawaiian vacation even more unforgettable by booking a Kona fishing adventure with Bite Me Sportfishing?
Located on the Big Island’s Honokohau Harbor, Bite Me Sportfishing offers vacationers in Kailua-Kona a sports fishing adventure experience unlike any other. Bite Me Sportfishing is one of the only Hawaii fishing charters that allows you to eat what you catch or ship it to your home.
From the serious angler who is hunting for the most challenging and rewarding sports fish, to families with young children just learning the ropes, Bite Me Sportsfishing offers expeditions for people of all ages and skill levels.
Your Kona fishing adventure will start on one of six comfortable charter boats, all of which are fully stocked with everything you’ll need to have a great day on the ocean—ice, fishing rods, reels, gear, tackle and experienced captains. You will have to bring your own lunch, or pre-order your food and drinks in advance from the Bite Me Fish Market Bar & Grill.
Once your boat is loaded your captain will take you to the most famous fishing spots off the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. In most cases, your captain and crew will do the rigging and baiting. Just let us know if you're an experienced fisherman and prefer to do all the "hands on" work yourself. You’ll spend your day enjoying the open water, where we fish for deep sea (pelagic) fish and the most sought-after sport fish in the world—the mighty Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi and Yellowfin Ahi (Tuna).
You’ll experience the adventure of sports fishing as one of Kona’s most experienced fishing captains trolls the open water, looking for clues to where the fish are biting. With the Pacific’s waves rolling slowly beneath your boat you might be one of the lucky ones and get "Fish On!" Depending on what hooks up, you could be in store for a long fights. Adrenalin pumps as you and the fish battle. The feeling you get when the captain and crew pull your catch into the boat is undescribable. It's the best feeling in the world. A moment captured forever back at the dock when we take your picture next to your catch.
If the fish gets away, you’ll still have memories that will last a lifetime. We offer an authentic Hawaii sport fishing adventure—the tropical sun, gentle trade winds, the unbridled beauty of the Pacific blue ocean. And, depending on the time of year, there’s also a good chance you’ll get up close and personal with Humpback whales, spinner dolphins, flying fish and countless other ocean species that live in the waters near the Kona coast.
That’s what makes a Kona sports fishing adventure so unforgettable—whether your catch is a 600-pound “catch-of-a-lifetime” Marlin or the glimpse of a majestic humpback whale, you’re sure to enjoy yourself on the water. Because every day on the water is a great day!
Once your excursion is over, it’s time to head back to the harbor. You can enjoy a fresh Hawaiian sport fish lunch or dinner right near the water at our dockside restaurant or have your catch prepared for you to ship home. Just let us know your preference.
Wondering how fishing in Hawaii is different from saltwater fishing at home? Use this online game to test your knowledge of deep water fishing in Hawaii. The word "Palagic" comes from the Greek words meaning "open sea." In Hawaii, the ocean floor drops off quickly and Hawaii fishing charters troll for deep water fish.
Fishbuster Charters, out of Bonita Beach, FL also keeps a list of saltwater fishing links that you might find useful.
Most people know sport fishing in Kona is world-class. But now the younger generation is getting hooked on the joy of reeling in the “big one” too!
Last week, six youngsters from a West Hawaii school took a field trip to Bite Me Fish Market as part of a "Dirty Jobs" school assignment. Bite Me Sportfishing loves to take the kids deep sea fishing whenever possible and expose families to the marine life in Hawaii. This time, we stayed on land.
Teachers had pre-arranged a field trip as a fun way to help students learn more about the fishing in Hawaii. The students had plenty of fun getting dirty with fish guts and even got a chance to cut up a piece of fish themselves. While at Bite Me Fish Market the students got a quick lesson in the fine art of cutting sushi from a fresh-caught fish and are now professionally briefed in how to create great-tasting fish steaks and fish filets from fresh-caught fish.
The other field trip experience happened in March, when three young brothers got to catch a bit Ono (Wahoo).
They also got to help their dad catch a massive big Blue Marlin weighing nearly 500 lbs! The catch of a lifetime!
The boys were in such awe of the big Marlin when they saw it hanging at the Bite Me "Weigh In" Bar that they were struck speechless for a few minutes.
The reel action to haul in such a big creature was tough for the little guys to be sure, but help was nearby. The boys landed the blue marlin safely in their fishing charter boat and will have the best Hawaii sport fishing story to tell the kids back home. In fact, we think those boys will enjoying that memory every day, because their family is going to mount the fish as a trophy back home. Thanks, Dad!
Dozens of families are enjoying spring break to enjoy Hawaii fishing. We want to thank all the folks who are enjoying sport fishing with us and keeping the Kona fishing tradition alive for the next generation of fishermen and isherwomen!
These experiences give younger generations lessons about the wonders of the fishing world. The love of the water and sport fishing is passed through to them from their parents.
One family came from Germany (via Bejing) to expose their children to the amazing world of sport fishing in Kona. They expressed the wonderment of being in a place like nowhere else in the world. The father took time to look at maps and research tides and currents.
Another man brought his boys from Canada and fished for four days so they would really know about fishing and have an appreciation for the ocean and fishing in Hawaii. The family chartered four full days and went out to the Tsunami buoy at 30 miles off the Kona Coast, where plenty Mahimahi and Tuna can be found.
The boys are definitely now avid fishermen and their father is thrilled that they share his passion for the sport. Good Job, Dad!
We look forward to many more families bringing their youngsters here to fish in Hawaii.
Sportfishing is a wonderful, fun day and always enjoyable. The Big Island offers superb opportunities for hooking up with your dream catch, whether you’re 8 or 80.
One of the most common questions we get asked is about what type of fish are in season. We get it! You want to know what to expect when you book your fishing charter with us.
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council provides general guidelines about catch rates for different types of fish, but every day of fishing is different.
When you fish with Bite Me Sportfishing, you'll get to fish with some of the most experienced fishing captains in Hawaii. Fish have a mind of their own and are wild creatures. They don't care what the calendar says. So every day our captains will fish for what will give you the best chance of a successful day of fishing. That's why we've been voted best fishing charter in West Hawaii for several years. And, with six boats to choose from, we're the first to know what's biting, and what's not. So use this fish calendar as a general guideline, but ask your captain about what's biting:
Winter
December: Big Eye Tuna, Striped Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Blue Marlin
January: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Big Eye Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Spearfish
February: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Spearfish and Big Eye Tuna
Spring
March: Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Spearfish, Mahi Mahi, Big Eye Tuna
April: Striped Marlin, Black Marlin, Spearfish, Big Eye Tuna, Mahi Mahi
May: Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Spearfish, Ono, Ahi & other tuna varietals.
Summer
June: Ono (Wahoo), Yellowfin Ahi (Tuna)and other tuna, Blue marlin, Black marlin, Spearfish, Mahi Mahi
July: Blue Marlin, Ono, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna
August: Blue Marlin, Ono, Yellowfin Ahi, Mahi Mahi
Fall
September: Blue Marlin, Ono, Ahi, Mahi Mahi
October: Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Big Eye Tuna
November: Big Eye Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Blue Marlin
Remember, these guidelines are based on historical fish reports. We know from experience that any day is a great day of fishing in Hawaii!
And you can eat what you catch right at the harbor with Bite Me Sportfishing! Visit our fish market and bring home some of the freshest fish in Kona at the Bite Me Fish Market Bar & Grill, located at Honokohau Harbor.
Catching either a Mahi Mahi or a Striped Marlin are usually enough for anyone out on a Hawaii fishing charter in Kona. It was a very good day for Dale, pictured here, when he caught both fish on his sports fishing charter on the same day!
The 18-pound Mahi Mahi and the 26-pound Striped Marlin will keep Dale stocked in excellent fresh fish fillet's for several days!
The Mahi Mahi, a Hawaii sport fishing favorite, is a local seafood delicacy in Kona. Sports fishing enthusiasts know this fish can fetch $18-$27 a pound in Kona fish markets.
Hawaii fishing means having a great time reeling in your catch. And, with Bite Me Sportfishing, you can also eat what you catch on the back deck of Bite Me Fish Market Bar and Grill. Whether it's a fresh fish fillet or fish tacos or one of our deep south cajun specials, you'll find Bite Me Fish Market Bar and Grill is a great place to share fishing stories with friends.
In Dale's case, he will bring back two good Hawaii fishing stories to talk about when he gets home! Congratulations, Dale, on a great two-for-one day!
Would you like to book your own Hawaii fishing charter with the fishing captains at Bite Me? You'll get the chance to catch your own lunch and dinner too! There are six beautiful fishing boats to choose from, just click the button below to get started today!
Hawaii sport fishing has come a long way since Bite Me Sportfishing first started operations. We began as a one small hawaii fishing charter and our sportfishing business quickly became known for its friendly staff, great catch rate and, of course, our unforgettable name!
As time went on, our Hawaii fishing operation became one of the largest Kona fishing charters in Hawaii. We now have six beautiful fishing boats and not have enough hours in the day!
With all that fresh Hawaii fish coming in, it wasn't long before the idea of Bite Me Fish Market Bar & Grill was born. Now, locals and kama`aina alike have a go-to place to turn to when they need fresh Hawaiian fish for lunch or dinner.
Soon, the word caught on. National travel magazines like AAA Westways started writing full-page stories about the great Hawaii fishing atmosphere at the restaurant bar and grill. Our harbor restaurant became the one place where locals and kama`aina alike go to enjoy the sports fishing atmosphere. Everyone was raging about our fresh fish taco's, family-friendly enviorment and the one-of-a-kind "Weigh In Bar" where visitors see fish hauled from the dock every afternoon.
This year, we have have revamped our delicious seafood menu, all based on the fresh fish that comes in daily from Kona fisherman fresh off their deep sea fishing trips. We now have the largest sports fishing operation in Kailua-Kona, with six charter boats to choose from. And best of all, our guests get to go sports fishing with some of the most experienced charter fishermen in Hawaii.
We have a new addition to our fleet, the "Bite Me 6".
It's a 41' Hatteras that has been completely redone down to the last detail. Enjoy your day on the ocean chasing big fish in comfort. The hull design makes for a smooth ride and the AC unit keeps things cooled down if you get overheated with excitement!
Pricing is the same as the "Bite Me 2" our 46' Hatteras.
Check back for some exciting new stories, pictures and videos!
Aloha! Captain Deneen