UTERBlue marlin fishing in Hawaii
In Hawaii, blue marlin peak June–September and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Peak June–September — the granders come in summer; big lures trolled on the Kona ledge.
Tapering.
Blue marlin in Hawaii, month by month
- JanuaryAroundBlues around all year off Kona.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayArrivingThe bigger fish start showing.
- JunePeakPeak June–September — the granders come in summer; big lures trolled on the Kona ledge.
- JulyPeakPeak marlin and ahi; shoreline ulua at night. Tournament-season marlin; ika-shibi at night for ahi; slide-bait ulua on the ledges.
- AugustPeakTournament season (the HIBT and Kona's summer tournaments).
- SeptemberPeakPeak.
- OctoberLeavingTapering.
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish blue marlin near Kona, Hilo, Honolulu
Volcanic islands with deep water close to shore — the Kona coast drops to thousands of feet within a few miles — fringing reefs, sand channels and flats on the older islands, and a network of FADs (fish aggregation buoys) offshore.
What to use for blue marlin
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Opelu (mackerel scad)Bridled live and slow-trolled or drifted down for ahi, ono and marlin; cut for bottom fishing.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 74–88°F water, best at 78–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blue marlin in Hawaii?
Peak season is June–September. Blue marlin are here year-round. June: Peak June–September — the granders come in summer; big lures trolled on the Kona ledge.
Where do blue marlin hold in Hawaii?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Kona, Hilo, Honolulu, Waianae, Lahaina, Kahului.
What is the best bait for blue marlin in Hawaii?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), goggle-eyes, opelu (mackerel scad). Blue runners (hardtails): Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for blue marlin in Hawaii?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and change — read the current rule at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/fishing-regulations/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/licenses-and-permits/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores blue marlin for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about blue marlin · The Hawaiian Islands, the whole year