Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Silver on August 12, 2016, 02:49:57 AM
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Basic Gear:
Plunking rod and reel...very similar to Fraser bar fishing, just longer and salt rated. Conventional reels are preferred but large level winds and the largest spinning reels will do fine.
Popping rod and reel can be any medium action medium power 7-9 foot rod, with a 3000ish spinning reel.
I brought my own travel gear in a nice sport tube.
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That's it?
Waiting to see the results.
Have fun 8)
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Damn, this thread better deliver..... ;) One hell of a tease. :D
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That's it?
Waiting to see the results.
Yeah no kidding! C'mon, Silver - don't leave us hanging!!!!! Hahaha...
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Hawaii has very relaxed fishing regulations...almost anything goes except harvesting sea turtles. They are a lot stricter for fresh water fishing...but I won't be doing any of that anyway.
There are no fishing licenses required.
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Fishing first light and last light on a rising tide is best...sound familiar?
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The main target species are Ulua, Papio, trevally...basically a tuna like fish of about 30 variations of size and markings...like the the different salmonoid types.
This is the big Game fish...the Giant Trevally GT, they only come in at night.
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I will be using mostly bait strips of Ika (squid), or Tako (octopus) if I can find some, and possibly some live reef fish. The set up is a basic Carolina rig for dunking, and a short float set up for popping (only you retrieve your cast in a jigging style). Using specialty plugs is big here too...but they are moderately to extremely expensive and they are limited in availability...I may try one or two a bit later on.
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However, if you fish bass, apparently all the top water lures for them should work here too. So I want to give these ones a try...I bought them just because they were cheap. Good thing I didn't continue with the hook replacement...because barbed trebles are fine here. I've actually got a good feeling about these.
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Also, you need some type of rod holder for the sand...this one I bought here in Hawaii, and are very well made of aluminum.
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Maui's shoreline is comprised of bays with a reef separated by a lava rock jetty. I will focus on the Northwest coastline in this map. The best fishing is in the northern bays, but they also have the larger surf and currents...so the balance between fishing and family enjoyment will be difficult.
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This is Oneloa Bay.
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This is Honokahua Bay.
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This is a typical rock jetty...See the rod holders cemented into the lava. Not only do you fish at night...but if you catch a GT, you then need to scale down the edge of the jagged and slippery rocks and wrestle with the fish in the crashing surf...and all with the possibility of a large wave set coming at any time. Plus, there can also be some borderline people at these locations with a 'go home' or 'you flew here we grew here mentality' so I will avoid this particular activity. I read in someone else's blog that they only fish at night with a couple of extra people because two is not enough protection.
Maybe I've seen too many surf movies?
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You're spending way too much time taking pictures when you could be fishing.
Nice lead up though....
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If you want some excellent snorkelling, leave the rod at home and head east up the coast a bit to Honolua Bay. It's a conservation area (so no fishing!) but the coral reefs and sea life is stellar. It's a rocky beach, not sand, so a little tricky entering the water, but well worth it.
Enjoy the trip!
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I haven't done much in the way of fishing yet, except for preparation and scouting locations...because I really prefer to have all my homework done first before I jump in to something. I'm here for awhile too...so I should get at least 5-6 serious outings, and a few quickies in like this evening.
After a late start today with final initial errands completed...I got to try the last hour of light at Fleming beach.
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This guy was not going to let go!
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Thanks for the detailed as-you-go reports! Keep it up!
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WOW this thread sure is delivering.....
Thanks, a nice change from all the recent doom and gloom.
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Some family arrived today, plus another unecessary Costco trip caused another late start today. Also, it's crazy how much traffic occurs on the weekend...I think all the locals come down to Lahaina at weeks end.
Anyway, got to try for a bit at Kapalua Bay. It's mainly for snorkelling, and not really conducive for fishing with so many people getting in the way...but my only option.
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Was using an angry bird and squid strips with not much success. I also didn't have much confidence as I felt like the odd one out here.
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[URL=http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg3_5.jpg.html](http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg3_5.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg5_3.jpg.html)
I was getting discouraged, then when I flung off most of my squid and went to get another strip. I
dipped my barely baited hook it the tide pool a rod length in front of me and a fish immediately attacked
it.
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Hmm...let's try smaller bait again in the rocks ala pole fishing style...
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Maybe not that thrilling...but still fun. And better yet...I'm completely dialled in now to live bait fishing. There were also several larger fish milling about if you looked carefully...all in the nook and crannies of the rocks in a foot or two of water.
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Cool looking fish.
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First fish's some kind of moray eel. I've caught one of those before when vacationing in SE Asia. 2nd's a squirrelfish, maybe a Hawaiian squirrelfish, 3rd's a stocky hawkfish. Check this site out: http://www.marinelifephotography.com/fishes/fishes.htm. Cool fishies.. :) Identifying the tropical stuff can be quite challenging but fun. The diversity of marine life there is staggering...you just never know what you might pull up from the waters there.
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Check out this roach! It's as big as my foot...using fish catch scale ;)
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How to prepare squid for bait...
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Cut through halfway while semi frozen...less slime and ink. Then remove the head and innards...don't forget the bone.
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Cut the tubes into small triangular strips...
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Remove the skin membrane first...stark white color is preferred.
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The bait only lasts a day or two max before it sours and turns reddish color...apparently the fish dislike this change. Notice the comparison between day old and fresh prepared bait.
And you shouldn't refreeze bait!
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Tried to fish Honokahua Bay today...extremely high winds made this difficult to impossible at times. Just a few bites between constant checking bait and casting.
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Packed it up to try a new spot off the honoapilani road highway...
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Local guys rod next to mine fell over and was almost pulled into the water from ??? It got away...his rod
was only buried in the sand.
Got another one of these, and rigged it for live bait fishing.
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A bit too big for bait...but just as it was getting dark, caught this one too on the whipping rod...which I broke the tip off BTW. Second time now...good thing Fenwick just replaces them.
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Great thread Silver!
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X2 8)
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X3 :D ;)
I often visited the north shore of Oahu and saw many rods in the sand along the NS beaches or headlands. Not many caught anything but it is nice once in a while to see a monster GT caught.Once I saw a 50+ pounder taken by a guy at a headland or reef point called Laie Point. The guy camped out there with his truck and fished overnight. He told me he battled it for a long while to land it. Man those Ulua rods are huge and it took a very experienced fisherman to hoist up a huge Ulua up those reefs by himself.
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SO COOL. Thanks a million for the updates! Loving this thread.
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How far out did you have to cast? I remember seeing guys fishing this way in San Diego, and they showed me a picture of a 20lb Halibut they caught there.
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How far out did you have to cast? I remember seeing guys fishing this way in San Diego, and they showed me a picture of a 20lb Halibut they caught there.
West Maui tackle guy says about 30 yards...so I guess about 100 feet is fine. I have found that this distance is just enough to get past the building waves and keeps your line secured.
I can easily cast this far with my setup and am now even experimenting with closer distances...all of the reef fish I have caught are withing 6 feet from shore.
In comparison to bar-fishing coho in the lower fraser I have also found that closer is better also.
Another thing...I went to Haida Gwaii several years ago, and I was told that I could catch Halibut on North Beach with squid also. This was before I had any idea what to do...and after trying for a bit gave up thinking it was a foolish enterprise. But now! I know I could make it work.
BTW...this was a strange year that Humbolt squid were washing up on shore in the hundreds...very eerie experience.
Crabbing with a dip net is bonkers there too...definitely going back again just for that alone.
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Not much too add for today...went to Paia and tried to drive to 'Jaws' but thought taking the rental car any deeper into the bush might not be a good idea...check it out online for an idea of what I'm talking about. I didn't get quite far enough to find the graveyard of stuck vehicles...but did run into some shady locals...and could hear the crashing surf through the trees. I'll get a jeep again nextime.
Fishing the last hour of daylight at the closest beach to us in Kapalua. A few bites but nothing...need to put in more time. I did notice a substantial increase in rods at the usual spots...the best tides are starting tomorrow and lasting for the next few days.
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Interesting thread. Keep it up.
I once took a fly rod to Hawaii but never actually got out to try it. The surf at the prospective locations was too intimidating.
At Hawaii I have observed a number of interesting techniques and means of solving local fishing problems and taking advantage of the situation. Here are are some pictures from South Point on the Big Island where they fish from the top of significant cliffs utilizing the strong trade winds at their back to carry the gear out into deep water.
Here is the cliff situation:
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The technique uses large inflated plastic bags as sails for the gear. The day I was there they were fishing what appeared to be about 300 yards from where they were standing on the cliff. Apparently they even catch marlin from this shore location. I have circled a just launched bag. The ones fishing are way out of sight from the camera.
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/123VAGAbond/10715_zpsiio0105q.jpg) (http://s647.photobucket.com/user/123VAGAbond/media/10715_zpsiio0105q.jpg.html)
I never saw anybody catch anything at this location but landing a large fish from the top of a cliff presents obvious problems. I never saw the structures in the next picture utilized but it appears they are a means to land larger pelagic species.
(http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu192/123VAGAbond/10716_zpse9vew7yh.jpg) (http://s647.photobucket.com/user/123VAGAbond/media/10716_zpse9vew7yh.jpg.html)
I have wondered if there any locations closer to home where this inflated bag technique could work.
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The technique uses large inflated plastic bags as sails for the gear. The day I was there they were fishing what appeared to be about 300 yards from where they were standing on the cliff. Apparently they even catch marlin from this shore location. I have circled a just launched bag. The ones fishing are way out of sight from the camera.
Interesting. Reminds me of the guy I saw in Maui (Kihei) who made a bobber out of a plastic bag when fishing for bluegill-sized reef fish with bread. He filled a bucket with fish and left after about an hour. I adopted his technique and caught some beautiful fish.
Do they just leave the bail open and let the gear drift out there? Did you see what kind of bait they were using?
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I am new to posting in this forum but appreciate this thread after fishing Kauai for 2 weeks this July with gear and on the fly. An amazing experience - landed 7-8 different species. I was impressed by their power and resilience. Sadly, I saw a dozen bone fish but hooked none.
Silver, I'd recommend when "plunking" as the locals call it, first by snorkelling the area to get a sense of corral heads, etc. as well structure where fish are present. I even swam my gear out past the reef and dropped it 60 yards from shore. Tricky trying not to hook your self in the process!
I talked to a lot of locals. Mark White crafts amazing ceramic lures locally and has a website full of info. Check out the cliff fishing and the gear used to gaff and retrieve the fish from the cliff top.
http://www.markwhitelures.com/videos.html
Also, I experimented with bait and found uncooked prawn, shell on, to be most effective. Seconded by squid. Yes, once the bait is red the fish are not interested.
Mahalo!
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Good advise Seatosky,
Yes I know about the local lures...very cool and expensive! I'm not yet confident enough to invest in them.
Here are some that I saw from another local craftsman...
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Also, some popular Japanese poppers too...these can exceed $100 per lure.
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I have also heard that shrimp can be very effective for the reef fish, but I'm really interested in something substantial...so I will stick with plunking squid. I will keep looking for some Octopus.
There is a Cyclone or Hurricane brewing that will miss the Islands, but will still cause a lot of unusual
wind and rain. 6 foot waves yesterday at a normally calm beach, and the day before also...so no fishing.
Well, I did get another eel for the brief attempt at a calm beach that wasn't 'family friendly' before we had to pack it up and go to the pool instead.
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I've got a bottom fishing charter booked...so I should have something good to show by the weekend.
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Holy cow those are pricey lures. To think what I'll do to retrieve a stuck blue fox.... Who knows what I'd do to retrieve one of those!
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Jealous
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Awesome ... crazy expensive lures!
I did buy a Mark White 1/2 oz white and red surface lure. I landed a blue trevalli with it. It was $12.50 usd. The very next cast it was donated to the pacific. Sigh.
http://www.markwhitelures.com/lures_plugs.html (http://www.markwhitelures.com/lures_plugs.html)
Sounds like you've research things thoroughly. Just in case, I thought I'd mention that the locals I met , who were after GTs (Ulua), were all slide fishing at night.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WxMDvCTxguU (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WxMDvCTxguU)
Pretty interesting! Good luck!
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Slide bait fishing was initially what I was planning...I had watched several videos and even chose my gear to accommodate this style...I was close to buying some Hawaii lures too online, but haven't even used the ones I had already...maybe next time once I master the simple bait fishery first.
It was only after the tackle guy dissuaded me that I didn't try...he said it is 'a lot of work' and only a nightime fishery, headlamps are needed, live bait, and rarely a successful venture. Locals can camp out for a week or more before they hook up. He says he only does it when his son comes to visit him.
It's definitely a trophy fishery only.
He said I'll have way more fun with bait dunking and popping...and there are still good odds to catch a trevally in the 10-15 lb range going this route. Supposedly this is prime time for jacks feeding off the beaches.
Anyway, we decided to check out the South side of a Maui today to find a calmer beach...no chance!
Went to Kihei and left kamole beach due to high winds. Then went to Makena beach and the surf was like Hawaii five O...I always bring my gear but no chance here today.
So we come back to the West side and randomly stopped at a campsite next to the highway that the locals seem to frequent...there are many places like this in Maui scattered around.
Very enjoyable...after setting up the rod I was in the water the whole time waiting with the turtles. Lots of snags though and no bites, after a few hours we decided to try our local beach before dark.
Side note...I'm finding that Maui is unusual that every beach is different in everyway possible...one can have out of control surf, the next is lagoon like and calm? Perhaps this unusual weather is the cause for the erratic ocean activity.
Similar beach next to the highway that we tried before...yet this one was very calm and swimmable.
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Beach near Kapalua...note the jetty to the right, several fisherman out on the point.
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I got what seemed to be a decent bite, but when I went to reel in I was snagged! I've heard that when a fish gets hooked they can swim into a reef and hang you up...actually mono is preferred to braid here for this reason. Perhaps this is what happened?
The wife has taken an interest is casting the popping rod...and just as I was getting again discouraged she hooks into one. A little bit bigger fish than we've been getting, and the drag is set a bit loose...this one is stripping line pretty good so she passed it off to me, and said that it slammed the bait in the flat water between the waves...so now we have a strategy.
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Finally, a keeper! A decent Trevally jack, or Pompano, or Papio as the Hawaiians call it. So After watching a few videos on filleting here's what I got.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg5_5.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg5_5.jpg.html)
None of the videos warned on this little barb on the dorsal fin...learned about it the hard way!
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I nailed the cutting so very little waste...actually really easy to do as the fish is quite stiff and not salmon like. One video said to cut away the lateral line dark meat as it's not very good, and I heard that the toxin that can build up in reef fish is concentrated there so I removed it. (Not really an issue with this species but better to be safe) Not much meat in comparison to size...kind of like a rock fish ratio.
Very nice texture and tasty...
:)
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Awesome! Nice little jack!
This made me drool, by the way:
Finally, a keeper! A decent Trevally jack, or Pompano, or Papio as the Hawaiians call it. So After watching a few videos on filleting here's what I got.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg5_5.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg5_5.jpg.html)
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You are eating it raw?
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You are eating it raw?
No, I don't much care for raw too much except salmon lox and ahi tuna rare...if that even counts. Probably would be perfect for sashimi as the texture is buttery and firm.
We pan fried simply with seasoning and sea salt. Not to sound cliche...but it really was delicious!
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Nice catch! 8)
Looks like a bluefin trevally
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Good thread reminding me of my days living in Hawaii. Ulua fishing is a tough thing and can go for weeks without a bite plus it is mostly a night time thing for many locals. But spinning for Papio, the junior GT, can be quite fun and productive at times. The Kaneohe Bay on Oahu is famous for this. Once I was plunking for bottom fishing at a reef point and lo and behold a large school of Papio blew by and I didn't have a spinning rod set up ready for them. Gosh! Too bad but it was an awesome sight indeed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj21fxoY3RM
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On Oahu, Haleiwa on the north coast is the mecca for for big game like Ahi, Marlin, Mahi Mahi and Wahoo etc. on boat, but these guys had tons of fun just plunking it from shore for Ulua at Mokuleia shore near Haleiwa. I love this video as it shows you the way of life of the Hawaiians having fun together with the friendly Aloha spirit, fish or no fish. I don't envy the life of the secluded rich and celebrities when compared to these guys. LOL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrwNNH98LHs
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Steelhawk,
Yes, After talking with the charter captain today he confirmed the difficulty and extent it takes to catch an Ulua...his roommate is serious about this fishery and it will take him 12-15 overnight attempts to hook up.
And, I totally agree about the Hawaiian attitude and they certainly do their camping proper! No hotdogs here.
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Went for a 4 hour charter today and booked the whole boat for an extra $100...totally worth it considering it can fit 12 guests and only 5 can fish at a time. So the 3 of us and the two crew are all working together as a team.
Using sabiki rigs Captain Johnnie immediately hooked up with two Oama bait fish...these are the most prized live bait and not always easy to find. Very lucky indeed.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg8_3.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg8_3.jpg.html)
This baitfish will virtually guarantee Mahi Mahi, Ono, or large trevally. He hooks it up and drops it to about 10 feet off bottom...immediately there's a strike! Big fish will bite the tail off first then return to finish the rest, so he delays any retrieving. It nibbled a bit more then we drifted too far off the structure that we were fishing.
One thing about this charter that is irritating is that you only get to fish in 7-10 minute intervals before having to reposition after drifting. We are fishing in 100-160 feet of water on sandy humps...kind of like
Halibut fishing from my experience. This activity was repeated dozens of times.
So back at it with the second and last bait fish...again instant action and this time after waiting for a return...fish on! Funny, Johnnie even called it...he said to me to reel up my line and get ready after the first nibble.
Even they were impressed, both Captain and Mechanic took there own pictures...Here's Johnnie! With a very nice 6-7 lb Omilu.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg9_3.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg9_3.jpg.html)
Then with the excitement over its back to bottom fishing using Sabiki rigs cut down to two hooks per rod with squid. Several different species were caught, and in multiples...I even got a double header on both hooks.
Some of the types were Ladyfish, Goatfish, Trigger fish, and Pog fish.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg1_28.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg1_28.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg7_5.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg7_5.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg3_10.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg3_10.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg2_12.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg2_12.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg4_7.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg4_7.jpg.html)
Also, on the live/whole bait line we would let frozen Chad soak for a big one...a reasonable possibility, but not again for us. The bait would need to be replaced due to it being chewed on, but nothing large hit. Also funny is all the baits used here are from the freezer section of the grocery store.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg6_6.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg6_6.jpg.html)
One thing I was not impressed with was the squid...they were using old red gelatinous bait! I suggested that fresh bait is best from what I researched, and they didn't seem to think it was a problem? I requested some fresh to be cut up, and Mechanic Cody did so even removing the membrane as I suggested.
Well, perhaps the increased action afterward was just a coincidence...but I did hook into something special!
This is a Nabetta or Peacock Wrasse...it's a Hawaiian delicacy fish that is not commercially available. It's somewhat rare as it can't be located on a sounder because it sits in the sand. This one is considered large and the guys were pretty happy to see it.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg1_27.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg1_27.jpg.html)
Check out the teeth on this one! We had to be careful as it will bite you, and can also touch its tail like a shark. Actually, most of these fish have some way to stick you if it's not spines, barbs, sharp fins, or even gills that have poison.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg5_6.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg5_6.jpg.html)
Oh, and for those that are interested...both of these keepers make the best Sashimi! Johnnie said that they will routinely take these types of fish back to the office and immediately eat them raw...maybe I should give this a try too? Well, maybe after freezing them first...just in case.
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Very nice catches..quite an interesting assortment of reef species. 8)
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I still want to catch something big from the beach and I was thinking about improving my odds in two ways.
The squid doesn't stay on the hook very long...if your not fishing your not catching. I tied all of my hooks with a bait loop knot (nobody here knows what this is, and everybody just hooks the bait once dangling off the hook.
I also tied some flash onto the hooks sparingly and the length of the bait strips...I even made sure all the hook are sticky sharp.
Notice my demonstration setup, I am able to thread the strip onto the hook and it looks like a bait fish swimming...and the hook even rides up for less snags. The strip will stay on much longer when dunking, and also withstand multiple casting with the whipping rod.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg1_29.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg1_29.jpg.html)
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg3_11.jpg)[/URL
[URL=http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg2_13.jpg.html](http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc478/Penskyfile/image.jpg2_13.jpg) (http://s1213.photobucket.com/user/Penskyfile/media/image.jpg3_11.jpg.html)
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I found frozen squid gets more bites.
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Great thread!
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Great thread!
X2
Nice to read a positive thread about somebodies fishing adventures ::)
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[img]One thing about this charter that is irritating is that you only get to fish in 7-10 minute intervals before having to reposition after drifting.[/b]
Screams for Motorguide Pinpoint;
http://www.motorguide.com/pinpointgps
Anchor Mode will keep you boat locked in one spot.