UTERBonefish fishing in Hawaii
In Hawaii, bonefish peak November–April and are around year-round, spawning in November–April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Ōʻio spawning season (November–April) — big fish in the sand channels; Oahu's south shore flats and Kaneohe Bay. Minimum size applies, check DAR.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Bonefish in Hawaii, month by month
- JanuarySpawningŌʻio spawning season (November–April) — big fish in the sand channels; Oahu's south shore flats and Kaneohe Bay. Minimum size applies, check DAR.
- FebruarySpawningStripers peak; spearfish; winter ōʻio. Kona stripers and shortbill spearfish; ōʻio on crab and shrimp in the sand channels.
- MarchSpawningStill spawning; bait fishermen on the sand channels with crab and shrimp.
- AprilSpawningMahimahi peak. FADs and floating debris for mahi; last of the spawning ōʻio.
- MayAround
- JuneAroundFlats fishing on the incoming tide — sight-casting to tailing ōʻio.
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberSpawningSpawning season begins.
- DecemberSpawningStripers arriving; ōʻio and ulua. The first stripers off Kona; winter swell closes the north shores — fish the lee.
Where to fish bonefish 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 bonefish
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Blue crabsWhole and small for permit and tarpon; halved or quartered on the bottom for black drum, redfish and cobia.
- Leader10–15 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#4–#1
- Jig head1/8–1/4 oz
- Braid10–15 lb
Feeds in 68–90°F water, best at 74–84°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch bonefish in Hawaii?
Peak season is November–April, with fish spawning in November–April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Bonefish are here year-round. January: Ōʻio spawning season (November–April) — big fish in the sand channels; Oahu's south shore flats and Kaneohe Bay. Minimum size applies, check DAR.
Where do bonefish hold in Hawaii?
Look on grass flat, channel edge — around Kona, Hilo, Honolulu, Waianae, Lahaina, Kahului.
What is the best bait for bonefish in Hawaii?
Live bait: live shrimp, blue crabs. Live shrimp: Under a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait. Tackle: leader 10–15 lb fluorocarbon, hook #4–#1, jig head 1/8–1/4 oz, braid 10–15 lb.
What are the rules for bonefish 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/.
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