| The Kona coast on the Big Island of
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| | boat for yourselves. Remember that most
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| Hawaii is renowned for Pacific blue
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| | boats do not include food or drink. So,
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| marlin fishing. Considered the marlin
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| | take a lunch and something to drink. And
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| capital of the world, it is home to the
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| | don't forget the sunscreen.
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| blue marlin, a spectacular sword-billed
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| | The Hawaiian International Billfish
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| fighting fish. The largest marlin ever
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| | Tournament, held annualy in Kona,
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| caught here weighed over 1,800 pounds!!
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| | however, is a different story. This is
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| Besides marlin, Kona waters are rich with
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| | the premier event in the world for deep
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| ahi--yellowfin tuna, sword fish,
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| | sea sports fishing, with competitors from
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| mahimahi, spearfish, aku--skipjack tuna,
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| | all over the world. It may not be the
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| and ono (wahoo) one of the fastest fish
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| | best week for a novice fisherman to find
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| in the ocean. Fish are plentiful
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| | a boat for hire, but it is an exciting
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| year-round but are more numerous in the
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| | time. In addition to the competitions,
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| summer months.
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| | other festivities occur throughout the
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| Kona has more than 100 charter fishing
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| | week. This is the highlight of the year
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| boats,and 300 days of sun, making it an
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| | for Hawaii charter fishing.
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| excellent place for sports fishing. Most
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| | 2006 marks the 47th year of this
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| boats leave from Honokohau Harbor, just
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| | non-profit tournament. From July 24-28,
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| north of Kailua-Kona. In addition to
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| | competitive teams willgather, lured by
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| sunny skies, these fishing grounds boast
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| | the thrill of hooking a prized Pacific
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| warm, deep waters, and the ability to
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| | blue marlin. For five days, Kailua pier
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| hook up a marlin just a short ways from
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| | will be the hub of activity. Each day,
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| shore.
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| | dozens of boats will line up just outside
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| If you go down to the docks, you can see
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| | Kailua Bay awaiting the 7:00 a.m. signal
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| charter boats returning around 11 a.m.
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| | to begin fishing, as a sea of anglers
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| from the morning charters and again
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| | prepare for the thrill of big game
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| around 3:00 in the afternoon. Most boats
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| | tournament fishing.
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| will fly flags indicating their catch.
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| | In order to assure an ongoing supply of
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| White flags indicate ahi, blue flags
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| | these large fish, most Pacific blue
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| marlin, and inverted flags indicate a
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| | marlin are returned to the sea. Thanks to
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| catch-and-release trip.
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| | the tournament's tag-and-release rules,
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| Mornings generally offer the best
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| | which were implemented in 1986, most
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| conditions. Most deep sea fishermen
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| | catches are tagged with a transponder and
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| chartering out of Kona are novices, and
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| | then released. The Billfish Association
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| most charter fishing boats will provide
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| | and the Pacific Ocean Research Foundation
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| all the necessary fishing gear included
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| | have been working together to make sure
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| in the cost. You can join a charter with
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| | that future generations can enjoy the
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| others,or, if you have a total of six
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| | thrill of deep-sea fishing with an
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| people in your party, you can charter the
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| | adequate supply of game.
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