Long known as a vacation resort destination, the waters off Hawaii's six main islands are home to a myriad of game fish, making it one of the most sought after fishing locations in the entire world. Dubbed by the publication Hawaiian Fishing News as the "blue fin capital of the world," the waters off Hawaii's six main islands are inhabited by over six different species of marlin, or billfish. Additional Hawaiian offshore game fish include numerous species of tuna and dolphin, as well as barracuda and Hawaiian salmon.
Thanks to the temperate nature of Hawaii's waters, the fishing season in the islands lasts year-round. According to Captain Jeff Rodgers, who operates a charter service on Hawaii's Big Island, the marlin season is best during July and August. That said, marlin inhabit Hawaiian waters year-round, and a good number of blue marlin catches are reported annually in May, June, September and October. Current is the prevailing factor in determining whether marlin or other fish are in season.
While blue marlins are the most commonly found billfish in Hawaiian waters, the region is also home to striped and black marlin. Striped marlins are common and often caught throughout the season---particularly during the months of January through May. While black marlins also inhabit Hawaiian Pacific waters year-round, they are a rarer catch. The waters of Kona are the only place in recorded history where black marlin weighing over 1,000 lbs. have been caught.
Marlin tournaments are hosted on each of Hawaii's islands annually. The Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series is comprised of six marlin tournaments each year. Nearly $1 million in prize money is awarded amongst competing teams each year. Only blue marlins that are 500 lbs. or bigger qualify for prize money. Marlins caught that are smaller than a team's biggest catch must be released under series rules.
Marlin fishing and big game fishing in general is big business in Hawaii. Each Hawaiian island is home to dozens of private charter companies and big game fishing clubs. Organizations like the Hawaiian Big Game Fishing Club of Kona have been active since the turn of the 20th century. The Hawaii department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs handles licensing applications and procedures for all private charter companies, who are required to renew their license annually. Individual licenses are not required for recreational sport fishing in Hawaiian waters, however.
It can be extremely difficult to navigate boating vessels in Hawaiian waters. For that reason, novice mariners should consider utilizing one of the state's many charter companies when planning a marlin fishing excursion. Additionally, the types of equipment and bait required of big game fishing require a significant amount of experience to be utilized successfully. Remember, big game fish are wild animals whose mass can reach into the thousands of pounds, large enough to cause serious injury to fisherman and damage to boating vessels.
