Big island report 6-22-12

Hey guys, I've been lurking on here for a while but I moved out to Hawaii almost 3 months ago now. I just caught my first Ulua on a backpacking trip this weekend! I always enjoyed reading everyone's posts and thought I would return the favor! My fish was a 15-17 Lb. Omilu or Blue fin Trevalle! It hit a black popper w/ red eyes late in the morning while I was casting from shore. I've been putting in the hours casting all over looking for my first jack, and this is it! After I tired the fish out I had to figgure out how to get him up the cliff I was fishing off. The surf was kinda big and I let the waves bring the fish up to the base off the cliff I was on. then I was hand lining it up when the 30 lb braid snapped and the fish fell and got knocked out. After a few more big sets I thought the fish was gone, popper and all, but i was looking just the same and saw his tail sticking out between some boulders. Timed it and climed down to grab him between sets! Totally epic and worth the 8.5 mile hike into Halape beach! Shootz!

Wow... you're livin' an island dream.  You're a lucky dude.  Congrats!

that is cool! Nice save from the rocks too, makes for a great fish tale!

Nice trevally!  That's quite a hike just to get to the fishing spot.  Glad you got your reward.  Hope to get one in September while I'm in Kona.  Thanks for sharing.

Rey

Great story - thanks for sharing.  You must've been temporarily bummed to have thought you lost that badboy!  Nice save.   

Nice report. You should join Aquahunters if you haven't already. I always tell people how much fun it is to throw poppers early in the morning.  There's some pretty good fishing around Honokohauharbor.  Used to fish early morning around the left shore going out on my kayak. The faster you move the poppers the more they like it.

Just curious what speed you move that popper at.  I was fishing for a long time with no bites till I foul hooked one day and was cranking it back as fast as possible when a huge alua hit. Started catching tons of fish after realizing that I couldn't fish it like I was going after bass.

Post the pic with lure  in the fishes mouth.

Andy, I'm reeling pretty fast and giving little jerks so the popper walks the dog pretty good. I'm an aquahunter too same name as this site! Lots of good advice on there, has helped me out a lot learning how to fish out here! Some of the guys spoted the deal i needed and sent me the link, helping me get my kayak! I got an XT Scrambler w/ fishfinder. Good starter boat for out here. Waiting for my new rod to show up in the mail but they sent it parcel post so it may be a while...I will post my big catches when I get all rigged for Peligics! Shootz!

Island style fishing. Brings back memories. Congratulation on landing you first ulua, now all you had to do is prepare some poki and invite some locals over.

Freddie

Determination always pays off

Wow what a story. WTG!!! The biggest papio I have landed from shore was 5 pounds and it was the fight of a lifetime on my 8# whipping rod. I tried slide baiting at South Point with 60# tackle but never hooked up. Hooking any fish on a popper is a blast but a 15# Omilu from shore, doesn't get better than that.

I've previously caught ulua (and similar looking fish).  Helluva fight!  Heard they weren't that tasty.  How'd that bruiser stack up as table fare? 

thx for sharing, might just have to book another fall trip back to the islands.

Great catch there bro. Glad to hear that long hike paid off.

Jedmo

I've previously caught ulua (and similar looking fish).  Helluva fight!  Heard they weren't that tasty.  How'd that bruiser stack up as table fare? 

thx for sharing, might just have to book another fall trip back to the islands.

The funny thing about the jack family is that they are highly variable in terms of table fare. So Jack Crevalle in Mexico (Toro), is not very good eating although the locals say it is because I don't cook it right.  In Hawaii, Ulua and Papio are considered excellent table fare and the first time I ate Ulua was at an overpriced restaurant on Maui. It is a more dense but still delicate white fish but is prone to overcooking like halibut so you would love it.  Unfortunately, ciguatara is an issue for all reef fish on the Big Island so I dont eat them anymore.

Nice Ulua!!! Bottom fishing off the coast of big island on a Yak is awesome! Keep us updated on your new yak, it's always fun to hear the different types of fishes that you bring up in Hawaii.