Kohala coast - Kona HI

Spent the last week at Kona/Kohala....that place is a kayak fisherman's wet dream. Super deep water only a really really short paddle from most launches

day 1-3 -- threw top water for assorted Jacks, grouper from shore...up to about 5 or 6 lbs

day 4 -- got on the kayak, went snorkeling with wife first, then watched the spinner dolphins, then paddled out trolling a rapala-- managed to nail a skipjack looking tunaish guy-- probably about 8lbs. 
Next got nearly spooled by a mystery fish, that nearly ripped the rod out of my hands, then ran 150yds of 30lb spectra off in a heartbeat...towed the kayak up to waterski speeds before popping off.

So- with my heart pounding, i ran back in, and met up with the wife.

I'm planning on trying to do a kayak fishing trip there later in the year...now have it sussed out. THinking of perhaps late Aug or early Sept....

Steve - I could have hooked you up with my buddy Russ (he's got the place dialed). He can even be your mother boat cause he's a charterboat capt. Since I will miss the Alaska Trip this year, I plan to head over to Kona to make up for it. Let's talk!

oh man....you are my HERO!

let me know when you are thinking, and maybe we can make a trip

I might be interested, too!

I'll be on the big island in mid August for two weeks. Home base will be on the Kohala Coast. I'm hooking up with some of the local kayak anglers for a magazine story. Steve, your report is firing me up. Did you know those guys have been hooking and landing ono (wahoo) from the yaks lately? Small ahi and dodos too.

When are you guys going?

Steve, what kayak outfit did you rent from? What gear did you find?

The locals are into trolling opelu, ususally dead. They don't seem too keen on lures. I don't see why a Rapala CD 14 or 18 wouldn't dredge up fish. Worked for Steve.

Mooch, if I land the right assignment I might need to deal with a charter captain.

Mooch, if I land the right assignment I might need to deal with a charter captain. 
 

PAL - I'll give Russ a call sometime this weekend  - I'll give you his contact info. Russ is a highly skilled fisherman (fly fisherman too) and very FUNNY. He used to live here in the Bay Area and fished off his 12 ft. alunimum boat all over the coast ,Delta and his favorite lake = Eagle Lake. THis guy has fly fished for Blue Sharks in Santa Cruz - and he's landed them too 

I can't wait to fish with my old buddy!!!
 

I rented from Kona Boys-- they have some scrambler XTs with flush mount holders (nice boats). I ended up dragging a rapala deep diver- orange/red/green mack pattern most of the time.  Mostly because i was too lazy to get bait.

I saw an article about those guys catching ono from the yaks...
There are an absolute ton of fish off that coast.  i was suprised how many fish i got from shore...

Way cool. My mother just relocated to capt.cook looks like I need to go visit soon.
                            Morgan