Deep-Sea Fishing
Simply step aboard and cast your line for mahimahi, ahi, ono, and marlin. That's about how quickly the fishing—mostly trolling with lures—begins on Kauai. The water gets deep quickly here, so there's less cruising time to fishing grounds, which is nice, since Hawaii's seas are notoriously rough. Of course, your captain may elect to cruise to a hot location where he's had good luck lately.
There are oodles of charter fishermen around; most depart from Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihue, and most use lures instead of live bait. Inquire about each boat's "fish policy," that is, what happens to the fish if any are caught. Some boats keep all; others will give you enough for a meal or two, even doing the cleaning themselves. On shared charters, ask about the maximum passenger count and about the fishing rotation; you'll want to make sure everyone gets a fair shot at reeling in the big one. Another option is to book a private charter. Shared and private charters run four, six, and eight hours in length.
Boats and Charters
Captain Don's Sport Fishing & Ocean Adventure. Captain Don is very flexible and treats everyone like family—he'll stop to snorkel or whale-watch if that's what the group (four to six) wants. Saltwater fly-fishermen (bring your own gear) are welcome. He'll even fish for bait and let you keep part of whatever you catch. The June Louise is a 34-foot twin diesel. Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor, 2494 Niumalu Rd., Nawiliwili, Hawaii, 96766. 808/639–3012; www.captaindonsfishing.com. From $150 (shared); from $650 (private).
Hana Paa. The advantage with Hana Paa is that it takes fewer people (minimum two, maximum four for a nonprivate excursion), but you pay for it. Charters can accommodate up to six people. The company's fish policy is flexible, and the boat is roomy. The Maka Hou II is a 38-foot Bertram. Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor, 2494 Niumalu Rd., Nawiliwili, Hawaii, 96766. 808/823–6031; 866/776–3474; www.fishkauai.com. From $330 (shared); from $600 (private).
Happy Times Fishing Charters. If you're staying on the West Side, you'll be glad to know that Napali Explorer (of the longtime rafting tour business) runs fishing trips out of Port Allen under the name Happy Times Fishing Charters. It offers shared and exclusive charters of four, six, and eight hours in a 41-foot Concord called Happy Times. The shared tours max out at six fishermen, and a portion of the catch is shared with all. The boat is also used for specialty charters—that is, film crews, surveys, burials, and even Niihau fishing. Rates range from $149 to $600 per person. Port Allen Small Boat Harbor, Waialo Rd., Eleele, Hawaii, 96716. 808/338--9999; www.napaliexplorer.com. From $149 per person.
Kai Bear. The father of this father-and-son duo has it figured out: he lets the son run the business and do all the work. Or so he says. The prices are reasonable, and they share the catch. Trips run from a four-hour, shared charter (six fishermen max) up to an eight-hour, keep-all-the-fish-you-want exclusive. What's particularly nice about this company are the boats: the 38-foot Bertram, Kai Bear, and the 42-foot Bertram, Grander, which are well maintained and very roomy. Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor, 2900 Nawiliwili Rd., Nawiliwili, Hawaii, 96766. 808/652–4556; www.kaibear.com. From $175.
