08-23-2001, 12:43 AM
Kona Hawaii fishing report 8/22/01<br><br>Hawaii's most famous tournament, the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament ended last week with a total of twenty five (25) teams fishing four (4) days resulting in a total of seventy two (72) fish. Fifty six (56) of them were Pacific blue marlin. In this tournament, only marlin over 300 lbs. and tuna over 100 lbs. were eligible for weigh-in. All were tagged and released with the exception of two marlin weighing in at 513 and 617 lbs. and two yellowfin weighing in at 130 and 103 lbs.<br>Most of the marlin tagged were under 200 lbs. There was one small stripped marlin tagged, 13 spearfish were tagged and the 2 yellowfin tuna were brought in. For those of you doing the math, marlin tops this months report with a 57% catch rate (don't forget to count the stripie). <br><br>Hawaii's 7th "grander" marlin was weighed in August 9th and tipped the scales at 1,140 lbs. Kirwin Masunaga was on his boat "Holly Ann" by himself so he had to be both captain and angler. Nice job! 5 of the 7 Hawaiian island "granders" caught this year have been caught off the "Big island" of Hawaii.<br><br>The ono bite is pretty good right now so if you're looking for some food fish, your chances of success are real good. There's also some small mahi mahi showing up. Speaking of good eating, there's at least 13 tagged spearfish out there just waiting to end up on the dinner table. Spearfish is one of the best eating fish there is.<br><br>The bottom fishing bite has been slower than normal but still a consistent means of getting some action. We've been getting some assorted snapper (yummy) mixed in with the jacks and sharks. The snapper bite will pick up as the summer comes to an end. <br><br>See 'ya on the water , <br>Capt. Jeff Rogers , <br>http://FISHinKONA.com<br><br><br>