Report from the Big Island and Maui-Dec 15-Dec 29

Ahh, the joys of not being married and not having a "real" career yet.... :smile:Just got back in from my winter wanderings which included a week out in the Mojave desert with old friends for New Years, backpacking in Death Valley, a trek from China Camp through Sykes Hotsprings to Hwy 1 in Big Sur, and two and a half weeks on the Big Island and Maui.
Spent most of my time on the islands backpacking, fishing, freediving, and hanging out with lots of beautiful women.
So, here's the quick fish report-pictures to follow once I've unpacked and dug through all my stuff.
December isn't the hottest month for the pelagics out onthe islands, but there were still a few around, and the bottomfishing and jacks more than made up for it.
Spent two days kayakfishing out of Keough harbor for one 22 lb ulua (giant trevally), 5 pappio (blue jacks), a handful of roi (spotted seabass with gnarly teeth), one 12 lb uku (grey snapper), and a hookup on a mahi. Its been awhile since I've fished from a scrambler, and I've got to say it can be kinda difficult fighting bigger fish. All fish caught on surface poppers, megabaits, or dead squid drifted on the bottom.
Fished another day down off South Point (Big Island) for one 12 lb ulua before the wind came up. The spots gnarly. There are cliff areas that drop off into 200 ft of water. Guys fish from the cliffs for the big uluas using Penn Senators, 60 lb line, and 13 ft rods. Wikked!!!... I also heard some stories about guys catching ahi, marlin, and ono from the cliffs at the right time of year. They tie a ballon on their line with live bait then let the wind carry it out to sea!!...
Spent two days fishing out of McKenna Cove on Maui for a 10 and 11 lb uku, 2 giant barracuda (released), and a few pappio.
All and all an excellent trip, and damn, if I wasn't so settled over here I'd move at the drop of a dime.
Mahalo and happy holidays to everyone
Brendan

must be nice. cant wait for pics
jason