QuestionI'll be moving to Oahu in June and am really interested in learning about the inshore fishing scene. Any idea how I can get smart on where, how, when to fish?
Thanks for your time, by the way.
AnswerAloha Damon,
My name is Randy, but all my fishing buddies call me "Onagafish". So you are moving to Oahu, that terrific. Well, I don't know where you live at now, but you will be in for a change if you live near the ocean on the mainland. There is not a lot of bait, or birds near the shoreline. I had to almost re-learn everything I ever knew about fishing when I moved there. I grew up in Florida & I was used to lots of inshore fishing. I would grab my spinning rod & could go anywhere almost & find fish.
There is a fish widely prized & sought after by the locals over there, called an "Ulua" or otherwise known as a "Giant Trevelly". They get really big, 100 pounds plus. So you really need to get all the tackle & info on that type of fishing. They usually fish off really rocky lava flows for them. You would need to sink a large rod holder into the lava, then swim the line out. Now this line has a bendable umberalla type hook up on it. You hook it into the coral, then swim back to shore. Then you "slide" by means of a large ring set-up a leader & hook with bait, usually whole squid or octupus.
Now thats one type of fishing from shore. There is some good fish to be caught by just spincasting all along the shorelines, not real productive, but it does work. Try using different tpye lures, such as Mr. Champ Bucktails, Rapala Lures (Bright Shiny ones) & Mirror-lures. Bait does not work well from fishing from shore. Since there is no gradual continental shelf, or sloping underwater, just really drops of fast, there are no shimp to speak of, so its just not in the local fishes diet.
The locals do what they call "Set Netting". You will see that once you get there. Also spearfishing is good, but don't expect to get the hang of it right away. Best thing you can do is hook up with some of the locals that are into fishing & they will show you the ropes.
Now fishing near the shore, in a boat is a lot different. You can troll, or fish on the bottom. Strangely, casting for fish over there is rather hard. Trolling works really good, just need to get the right lures or bait for the fish you want to target.
If you want any more info, just e-mail me.
[email protected]
Now below is a site that will get you familiar with the Hawaiian Fish. Check out my namesake: The Onaga or Longtailed Red Snapper, I catch them really deep, from 600 to 1500 feet down. Takes almost 5 min. for a 3 pound lead to hit the bottom.
http://www.coralreefnetwork.com/stender/fishes/snappers/snappers.htm
Also Check out the Hawaiian State Gov. Web Site, look for the DAR. Thats Division of Aquatic Resources. And lastly I would suggest you lokk at Hawaiian Fishing News. It has lots of stuff in it.
Good luck, Remember: "Keep Da Bait In Da Watah, Bruddah"
