UTERYellowfin tuna fishing in Hawaii
In Hawaii, yellowfin tuna peak June–September and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Peak big-ahi summer: the FADs, porpoise schools and the Kona ledge; live opelu or aku at dawn.
Tapering.
Yellowfin tuna in Hawaii, month by month
- JanuaryAroundAhi around year-round on the buoys (FADs) and the ledges — smaller shibi most of the year.
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayArrivingBig ahi start showing off Kona and the Waianae coast.
- JunePeakPeak big-ahi summer: the FADs, porpoise schools and the Kona ledge; live opelu or aku at dawn.
- JulyPeakPeak — trolling and ika-shibi (night handline) fishing.
- AugustPeakPeak.
- SeptemberPeakStill strong.
- OctoberLeavingTapering.
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAroundStripers arriving; ōʻio and ulua. The first stripers off Kona; winter swell closes the north shores — fish the lee.
Where to fish yellowfin tuna 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.
Fish Scouter charts 97 wreck spots in the The Hawaiian Islands map area — the kinds yellowfin tuna hold on.
What to use for yellowfin tuna
- Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
- Menhaden (pogies)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined or slow-trolled; cut in chunks for the bottom.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- 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 72–84°F water, best at 74–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch yellowfin tuna in Hawaii?
Peak season is June–September. Yellowfin tuna are here year-round. June: Peak big-ahi summer: the FADs, porpoise schools and the Kona ledge; live opelu or aku at dawn.
Where do yellowfin tuna hold in Hawaii?
Look on ledge / hard bottom — around Kona, Hilo, Honolulu, Waianae, Lahaina, Kahului.
What is the best bait for yellowfin tuna in Hawaii?
Live bait: blue runners (hardtails), menhaden (pogies), threadfin herring (greenbacks), 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 yellowfin tuna 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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All about yellowfin tuna · The Hawaiian Islands, the whole year