Fishing in January...

[CanCanCase]

In 33+ years, I've caught 3 January King Salmon. This photo of all the ice on the boat kinda takes some of the motivation away:

So now I'm told that I'm being dragged to Kona, Hawaii next January (2009) for a wedding (friend of my wife's)... In order to make it not so much of a "drag" and more like something I'm excited about, does anyone have experience with January fishing in Kona? I'm sure it's great black marlin season... I'd be happy to trade out some charter time if anyone's interested... BigJim? HulaGirl? Anyone?

-Case

[Big Jim]

Kona is out of my neck of the woods; have you been to Kauai? It can be pretty rainy during that time of year here on Kauai, but Kona is pretty nice year round. Calm water too compared to here. I don't have any contacts there unfortunately. Now if you every come to Kauai...I went freediving on Saturday, got a few reef fish, I did pretty badly, very rusty with the graphite 7'. Saw loads of fish, but I think the spear was faulty!!!! It just didn't work like it should. Nice to get in the water though. Been fishing a few times here last month, 10-25 lb yellowfins, some mahi's & missed a couple of ono's. Hopefully I'm going on Saturday. Stay in touch!
Jim

[CanCanCase]

Oh, I imagine we'll be getting over to Kauai for at least a few days too... the wedding in Kona is for a friend of my wife's, but both of my sisters-in-law married (here in Juneau) men from Kauai. They keep bugging us to come over for a short stay. My wife and I have never felt the trip from Alaska was "worth it" unless we could spend several weeks (dare I say a month?) exploring.

What are you messing with that's 7' and graphite? Pole spear? Sling? (I got very good at jabbing grunts and snapper to feed to the nurse sharks when I was down in Florida, but all of my "food fishing" was done with a 54" band gun and a free shaft.)

-Case

[lena_mae1983]

All this talk of vacations and such makes me long for a nice get a way trip. *sigh*

[Big Jim]

Case, I just use a 7' sling graphite spear; I like to keep everything simple. Went fishing yesterday; water was mirror smooth; very little swell. In fact, it was too calm for good trolling; the fish get sketchy and can see the line, etc. We did manage about a dozen small skipjacks, a ono (I saw him coming DOWN from the air and attack the outrigger lure; he missed on the first try, but got hooked good), we then did some shallow water (120-150 feet) bottom fishing; loaded up on wrasses, a honker of a grey snapper (uku) that was about 20 or so lbs. (biggest I've seen), another 3 uku's, and a mixture of others. Had a blast, my arm's sore! I used a med/heavy Ugly stick (6') spinning rod with 20 lb line, and a da machi rig (4 or so dressed up small hooks branched onto a main line); also spruced up the rig with small strips of Akule (a mackeral scad). Whales all around us all day, sufacing next to the boat (heard them breathe), jumping (could here the impact of them on the water), was hot and sunny, perfect day on the ocean! Bigger tunas starting to show up on the 1500-2000 fathom ledge towards Oahu, will be in closer vicinity to us any day now.
Jim
I forgot, on the way back to the ramp, we picked up about a 20-25 lb. bull mahimahi trolling; tried to beat us up!

[Grace]

Spearing the fish sounds quite exciting. I have never done that before for fishing. We used a net for a river, and a fishing rod for fish. A spear would be out of my league.
P.S. Hope you and your wife go to Hawaii

[lena_mae1983]

I was posed an interesting question yesterday. Someone asked me if fisherman loved fish and if they did then why did they kill them. (You can tell it was a question from a young child huh?) I wasn't quite sure how to answer either. It caught me way off guard.

[CanCanCase]

Originally Posted by lena_mae1983

I was posed an interesting question yesterday. Someone asked me if fisherman loved fish and if they did then why did they kill them. (You can tell it was a question from a young child huh?) I wasn't quite sure how to answer either. It caught me way off guard.

Speaking only for myself, I wouldn't say that "fishermen love fish." More like fishermen love TO fish... now you've got to explain the difference between "fish" used as a noun and "fish" used as a verb.

-Case

[Big Jim]

Well Grace, spearfishing is one of those things that you gotta put some time in, buy by no means is it impossible. Beginner's luck usually doesn't apply, but as you spend more time in the water (with someone who's experienced at it), you get better. My family moved to Kauai 21 yrs ago and I was fortunate enough to get involved with some local folks (one who is a great friend and fishes with me every year in Alaska) who are really good freedivers/spearfishermen. I can get some fish (usually!), but to go with guys who've done it their whole life is a learning experience. Plus, you can see all kinds of cool stuff in the water; I've seen sea turtles (loads here), Hawaiian monk seals, sharks, scorpion fish (poisonous), and fish I've never seen before.
Anybody ever gets to Kauai, lets go diving!
Jim

[Big Jim]

Went again this last Saturday (day before Easter); we spent about 6 hours in the water, current beating us up all day but we got quite a few fish, had run-ins with 3 big Moray eels, never did have 3 encounters in one day before. They have bad eyesight but great sense of smell, they can smell the fish in the bag, and if you leave it sitting somewhere for more than a minute, it's like ringing the dinner bell. They didn't get any of our fish, but close! Otherwise great day to be in the water!
Jim

[Grace]

Nice tale you tell about spearfishing with Morey eels. So nice that you are all right, and not deceased. I hope you enjoyed your time in the water. That does sound like a long day.

[tater03]

I just love to read about all the stuff you guys are doing. I would have never even thought of spear fishing. Getting to be able to go out and be so up close with fish like that and enjoy something you love to do must be awesome.

[berlinlife06]

Just looking at the photo on the top, I froze! And it is already April! LOL! I hope you can fish at a place where the boats don't freeze that way!

[CanCanCase]

Originally Posted by berlinlife06

Just looking at the photo on the top, I froze! And it is already April! LOL! I hope you can fish at a place where the boats don't freeze that way!

That was on the way back from a deer hunt in December... it's MUCH warmer now... hovering in the upper 40's every day, and mid-30's at night... We were scheduled to go fishing last week and this, but my little boat projects keep taking much longer than planned... Next is engine/drive maintenance on Tuesday, and then we'll be out for regular trips... watch for reports here - hopefully with pictures!

-Case

[debrajean]

Well, I've never been to Hawaii, but I hear the weather is great there and if the fishing isn't so good, I'm pretty sure you can find another fun water thing to do.

[berlinlife06]

I am looking for the pictures, Case! I think one of the things you could do to make it even more interesting in the forum, is to put more pictures of your experiences in Alaska.

[CanCanCase]

Originally Posted by berlinlife06

I am looking for the pictures, Case! I think one of the things you could do to make it even more interesting in the forum, is to put more pictures of your experiences in Alaska.

I couldn't agree more.... I've been looking for a system that allows me to post photos from my mobile phone to the forum for years, but there isn't anything that's reasonable. In less than 2 weeks, I'll have exactly zero time to sit at the computer and post pictures.

I do, however, have a web photo gallery here that I can post to while on the boat... keep your eyes on that, as I'll be posting client pictures, wildlife, and just plain fun.... usually the same day it all happens.

-Case

[beck7]

I love fishing...