| The Kona coast on the Big Island of Hawaii is | | | | the boat for yourselves. Remember that most |
| renowned for Pacific blue marlin fishing. | | | | boats do not include food or drink. So, take |
| Considered the marlin capital of the world, | | | | a lunch and something to drink. And don't |
| it is home to the blue marlin, a spectacular | | | | forget the sunscreen. |
| sword-billed fighting fish. The largest | | | | |
| marlin ever caught here weighed over 1,800 | | | | The Hawaiian International Billfish |
| pounds!! | | | | Tournament, held annualy in Kona, however, is |
| | | | a different story. This is the premier event |
| Besides marlin, Kona waters are rich with | | | | in the world for deep sea sports fishing, |
| ahi--yellowfin tuna, sword fish, mahimahi, | | | | with competitors from all over the world. It |
| spearfish, aku--skipjack tuna, and ono | | | | may not be the best week for a novice |
| (wahoo) one of the fastest fish in the ocean. | | | | fisherman to find a boat for hire, but it is |
| Fish are plentiful year-round but are more | | | | an exciting time. In addition to the |
| numerous in the summer months. | | | | competitions, other festivities occur |
| | | | throughout the week. This is the highlight of |
| Kona has more than 100 charter fishing | | | | the year for Hawaii charter fishing. |
| boats,and 300 days of sun, making it an | | | | |
| excellent place for sports fishing. Most | | | | 2006 marks the 47th year of this non-profit |
| boats leave from Honokohau Harbor, just north | | | | tournament. From July 24-28, competitive |
| of Kailua-Kona. In addition to sunny skies, | | | | teams will gather, lured by the thrill of |
| these fishing grounds boast warm, deep | | | | hooking a prized Pacific blue marlin. For |
| waters, and the ability to hook up a marlin | | | | five days, Kailua pier will be the hub of |
| just a short ways from shore. | | | | activity. Each day, dozens of boats will |
| | | | line up just outside Kailua Bay awaiting the |
| If you go down to the docks, you can see | | | | 7:00 a.m. signal to begin fishing, as a sea |
| charter boats returning around 11 a.m. from | | | | of anglers prepare for the thrill of big game |
| the morning charters and again around 3:00 in | | | | tournament fishing. |
| the afternoon. Most boats will fly flags | | | | |
| indicating their catch. White flags indicate | | | | In order to assure an ongoing supply of these |
| ahi, blue flags marlin, and inverted flags | | | | large fish, most Pacific blue marlin are |
| indicate a catch-and-release trip. | | | | returned to the sea. Thanks to the |
| | | | tournament's tag-and-release rules, which |
| Mornings generally offer the best conditions. | | | | were implemented in 1986, most catches are |
| Most deep sea fishermen chartering out of | | | | tagged with a transponder and then released. |
| Kona are novices, and most charter fishing | | | | The Billfish Association and the Pacific |
| boats will provide all the necessary fishing | | | | Ocean Research Foundation have been working |
| gear included in the cost. You can join a | | | | together to make sure that future generations |
| charter with others,or, if you have a total | | | | can enjoy the thrill of deep-sea fishing with |
| of six people in your party, you can charter | | | | an adequate supply of game. |