Maui is home to numerous tropical fish that are native only to Hawaiian waters. These fish come in all colors, sizes, and flavors as well as catch difficulty level.
Maui Sport Fishing
On the way to and from the best bottom fishing spots, fishing boats like Maui Fun Charters will troll by dragging artificial lures to catch other fish like Mahi Mahi, Ono, Tuna, etc… They often catch all kinds of great fish on the way to their fishing spots. This way, there’s a possibility of catching some large fish in shallower waters.
Maui Bottom Fishing
Bottom Fishing usually offers each guest more of a chance to catch fish than while sport fishing. With bottom fishing, the boat is stopped over spots with a high concentration of fish (mostly snapper, wrasse, jacks, and goatfish.) There each passenger fishes and usually catch around 3-4 fish apiece.
Common Fish Found in Hawaii
- Pacific Blue Marlin (Kajiki): 80 – 300 lbs; June – August
- Striped Marlin (Nairagi): 35 – 120 lbs; December – May
- Black Marlin (A’u): 200 – 400 lbs; year-round
- Pacific Short-Nosed Spearfish (Hebi): 20 – 40 lbs; June – October
- Broadbill Swordfish (Mekajiki): 100 – 300 lbs; January – May
- Mahimahi (Dolphin Fish, Dorado): 10 – 60 lbs; May – September
- Wahoo (Ono): 15 – 60 lbs; May – October
- Moonfish (Opah): 60 – 200 lbs; April – August
- Sickle Pomfret (Monchong): 4 – 25 lbs; undefined seasonal trends
- Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi): 30 – 300 lbs; May – September
- Bigeye Tuna (Shibi): 2 – 200 lbs; October – April
- Albacore Tuna (Tombo Ahi): 40 – 80 lbs; April – October
- Skipjack Tuna (Aku): 4 – 30 lbs; April – September
- Wavyback Bonita (Kawakawa): 3 – 20 lbs; year-round
- Long-Tail Red Snapper (Onaga): 1 – 18 lbs; October – March
- Pink Snapper (Opakapaka): 1 – 18 lbs; October – February
- Blue-Green Snapper (Uku): 4 – 18 lbs; May – July
- Sea Bass (Hapu`upu`u): 5 – 10 lbs; October – December, February – April
- Amberjack (Kahala): 15 – 75 lbs; February – April
- Giant Trevally (Ulua): 15 – 100 lbs; November – January
