Maui- need tips

skipro i read that...so theres some charters that let u keep the fish?

Usually the bottom fish trips in shallow water will let you keep the catch.  Much like the rock cod trips out of Bodega I've done.  There's a fee for the crew to fillet if you wish them to. (Worth it in my opinion if you're on vacation)
Shallow = 50 to about 150 ft. of water. 
Deep water, trophy type fish you usually don't keep, Wahoo, Mahi/Dorado, tuna, etc.  They belong to the boat. 

Some captains are pretty hard core.  Know who you are booking with.  I've been on a couple of those and since I'm hard core too, we got along great; no sitting in the cabin watching videos or chilling out in the observation seat way up high, no.  You are working with bait, reels, fish finder, etc.  And an early start with them too; leave dock between 3 and 4 am.  Others are catering to the more leisurely fisherperson.  Continental breakfast, drinks, even a lunch.  It's not much more than a site seeing tour with them. Then there's always something in between.  Do some web searching, make some calls and find a boat that looks like it's gonna fish the way you want to fish.  I should have done my homework better but figured all charters were like they have here in California; You work, you keep, you help out the rest of the customers.   

skipro i read that...so theres some charters that let u keep the fish?

Yeah there are some charters that will let you keep SOME fish but not all.  I've been on a few out of Oahu and they basically gave us enough fish for a meal (granted I was with family who are locals)....You definitely need to clarify before hand

I'm sure there are plenty of places to rent Kayaks from in Maui (i've only done in oahu).  The one thing I bring is my seat thas has rod holders.  I've noticed some rental places don't include the seat or charge extra....plus they mainly are low back seats.  I basically just troll krocs or drift bait along the reefs.

Edit:  Forgot to mention if you do rent a yak...watch the wind it can come up pretty quick and strong

what about bringing some scotty mounts and hardware and competently drilling into the boat?  think they'll mind if you installed gear and left it with them? 

From what i've read and heard, skippers and crew see the catch as theirs because they'll turn it around for sale to local markets or restaurants.  supplemental income, or sometimes for their personal consumption.  Either way, I'd bet you can negotiate ownership of the catch, but no doubt at a hefty premium.  Everything and everyone has a price. 

I'd secure ownership rights in writing before you shove off.  You don't want to be disputing that chit after are bringing in a 366 lb blue marlin . . .

(That's so f'd, Chad. you should have gotten a discount or rebate.  You know they sold that fish to the local fish processor for a ridiculous sum.  Smoked marlin is delish, btw)

(That's so f'd, Chad. you should have gotten a discount or rebate.  You know they sold that fish to the local fish processor for a ridiculous sum.  Smoked marlin is delish, btw)

Yeah, the deck hand said I could buy it from him for a buck a pound or the market for twice that. He did kick down some Mahi that we on the boat caught though. Did get my pic in the paper too. lol

To be fair to the Hawaiian charter boat captains, there is a reason their big game fishing charter prices are some of the cheapest in the world.

-Allen

This is kind of discouraging. I want meat. Guess i can shorefish or rent a yak, need to figure the best way to be productive.

Here's a thought;
Craigslist for Maui has 404 classifieds that pop up when I search 'kayak'.  find one you like and see if the seller is willing to let you rent it from him.  You might find someone willing to even take you fishing that way if he's got a couple.  Offer to do the same if he's ever in California.  I've met some of my best friends doing something like that for a dirt bike I bought out of Oregon and a fishing boat out of Texas. 

Saw this right off, he is asking $275 and might take $225 if you negotiate with him.  Donate it when you leave and get the tax break or sell it quick. 
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/spo/3455847242.html


Rent a fishing kayak for the week from this guy for $150;
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/spo/3388647956.html

Here are a few tips I have picked up living Big Island.
1.) If you go shore fishing, just use the rocks and coral laying around for weights. Get some 12 or 15 lb test to use as "Breakaway line" when you get stuck  and you have a fish you can break the led line and have a shot at landing it. If you are going for Ulua or Papio (Jacks) a clear fly bubble with a leader, and  a plastic grub or minnow strip ( I like firecracker) works well from shore, or throw a big black popper I like the Kaku brand one made of wood, the resin ones shatter on the rocks.   
2.) When I first got here I just had a 30# spinning outfit I brought with me. I have caught some big fish from my kayak with that setup. If you just keep it simple and rent a kayak, and fish one rod. I like to use a tri-swivel attached to the main line. I attach a 3 oz cannon ball led to a 20# breakaway about 4-6" long and on the other swivel attachment I use a 4-6' 80# leader with 2 hooks, one of witch is adjustable so it can slide to the right size for the bait. I like to rig whole squid just like you would for drifting California Halibut. You will go through a lot of bait, cuz of trigger fish and other bait stealers, but you drop that down in 80+ FOW if there is something big lurking down there it will usually hit it. I use the same rig  for live bait too. If I catch live opelu (scad mackrel)  or Goatfish rig them up and send em down. I like to hit bottom and reel up 10-30 feet and wait. Nothing in 5 minutes move and repete.
3.) If you want to have lots of action and see whats down there, I go to Target and they have these ahi brand sabiki's that look like pink shrimp for 1.79 each. Just bait each hook with a little squid strip and drop it to the bottom. attach a rubber band to your weight for more action, and breaks away easy if you get snagged on the island.  Just hit bottom and reel up a crank or two to keep you clear of the coral. wait for bites. I have caught all kinds this way, and its tones of fun for the kids! Can cut in half and just fish 3 hooks in stead of 6. Makes it easier to fish and you get 2 rigs for the price of one.
4.) Learn your fish a little bit. Reef fish can contain Ciguterra, a toxin that bio accumulates especially in big predatory fish. Also watch out for the Surgeon fish as well, they have razor sharp fins on either side of their tails. They don't typically bite bait, they are mostly veggie, but I have got them on squid before, and had no idea until my friend showed me what to watch out for.

Check out Aquahunters too, I am a member and I have learned a lot from the people and the site. And as a closing note, a smile and a cold beer are the best way to make friends with the other fisher folk out here. I could go on and on, but those are the basics that have got me some nice fish! Good luck! Hanapa'a!

Great info thx man!!!

some dang good tips right there, Dangeross!  thx for sharing that knowledge - Ima bite some tips for my 2013 trip