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Mahimahi (dolphin fish, or dorado) The most plentiful game fish in the ocean, Mahimahi means strong in Hawaiian. The distinctions between the males and females are obvious in the shape of the head, and they put on a spectacular aerial show when hooked. The Mahimahi displays incredibly vivid colors ranging from golden to green to aqua to silvery blue. They are particularly structure oriented, and if you happen to run across an old cargo net or log that has been in the water for a long time, there may be hundreds of these tasty fighters swimming around it. The Mahimahi is caught year round in Hawaiian waters, and range in size from 12-60 pounds. Marlin The three different types of marlin that we consistently catch in Hawaii include the Pacific Blue Marlin, the Striped Marlin, and the Pacific Short-nosed Spearfish. Pacific Blue Marlin The true giants of the sportfish world, The Blue Marlin is at the top of the food chain. They lurk in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting tuna or a lure bubbling and splashing behind a boat. They are generally loners and put on a spectacular battle when hooked, jumping all over the surface while also staying under and fighting down and dirty. Battles with these monsters can last three hours or more. Blue Marlin are caught trolling artificial lures, and live baiting. We encourage catch-and- release on all marlin if the situation warrants, and the angler wishes to do so. Any blue marlin is a true trophy regardless of size, and an angler should be very proud to catch one of these giants of the deep. The blue marlin average 200 lbs. But that number is skewed because the male fish rarely exceed that. All the larger fish are generally females. They range in size from 100-1000+ lbs. (the largest Blue marlin caught anywhere in the world was caught in Hawaii - 1805 lbs!) Striped Marlin Winter is the time in Hawaii for these acrobatic schooling Marlin. The average size of these fish is relatively small, however when matched with appropriate gear, are a blast to catch. While trolling, you can literally have every lure in the water get bit as they attack the pattern. They are a fly fishers ultimate, and provide a realistic chance at the saltwater fly-fishers dream; A marlin on a fly. Striped marlin are caught trolling artificial lures, live and dead bait, bait and switch, and fly fishing. They range from 25-125 lbs. Pacific Short-nosed Spearfish The Pacific short-nosed spearfish is an aggressive if not diminutive marlin that eagerly attacks artificial lures. They are uncommon everywhere in the world, but Hawaii is one of the few places where you have a good chance of catching one of these rare trophies. They are caught trolling and live baiting, but can also be caught with light tackle and fly gear. Spearfish range in size from 20 to 60 lbs. and are caught year round. Ono (Wahoo) The Ono is an aggressive predator that can swim at speeds of approximately 50 miles an hour. They attack lures and bait with equally wild abandon and we've seen them leap 12 feet out of the water attacking rigged baits. The Ono has razor sharp teeth perfectly designed for slashing which are positioned on jaws that work like scissors. Ono means delicious in Hawaiian, and they are regularly served in the many seafood restaurants on the island. Ono are semi-seasonal in that we see the majority of the fish in spring, summer and fall. Ono readily attack trolled lures, live and dead bait. They range in size from 15-60 pounds. Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna) You can expect to catch 4-5 separate species of tuna off Maui, but the only one that consistently gets bigger than 30 or so pounds is the yellowfin Tuna or Ahi. Ahi means fire in Hawaiian, in reference to what happens to your reel during the long runs characteristic of these fish we suspect. Ahi are as prized a food fish as it is a sportfish. A hundred and fifty-pound Ahi can spool 775 yards of line on its initial run if you aren't careful. Spring and summer is generally Ahi time in Hawaii, but like all our game fish can be caught year-round. Ahi are caught trolling lures and with live bait. Other types of gamefish regularly caught Aku (skipjack tuna) 5-25 lbs. One of the strongest fish pound for pound that swims. Caught trolling and jigging Kawakawa (wavyback bonita) 3-20 lbs. Another strong fighter that eagerly pounces on live baits. Shibi (bigeye tuna) 3-80 pounds. Caught using a wide variety of techniques including chumming, deep jigging, baiting, and trolling. Kahala (Amberjack) 15-75 lbs. A shallower water hard fighting bottom fish regularly caught on downriggers. Ulua (giant Trevally) 15-100 lbs. A big hard fighting bruiser caught down deep on live baits.     Ho'okela Sportfishing Lahaina Harbor Slip # 35 Lahaina, Maui 808.661.1641 Toll Free: 1.866.FSH.MAUI Home | About Us | Charter Information | What We Catch Questions | Newsletter | Email Captain Kim