Big Island Fishing Charters
- Home
- Big Island
- Ocean Fun
- Big Island Fishing Charters
Highlights
- Kona's most accomplished fishing fleet
- Private and shared charters availabile
- Best sport fishing in the state of Hawaii
- No license required and all fishing tackle included
Description
The Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii is famous for sportfishing and giant Blue Marlin. Bring along the family for a day filled with excitement and adventure as you join the crew of Bite Me Sportfishing, Kona's premier fishing fleet. They offer a wide selection of Big Island fishing charters – from full-day privates to half-day share trips. The Bite Me Sportfishing fleet is conveniently located at Honokohau small boat harbor which is halfway between downtown Kailua-Kona and the airport along Highway 19.
They provide all tackle, as well as ice and a cooler. All you need is to bring your own food and beverages for the day.
Bite Me I – 40' luxury yacht with Gold Penn International two-speed reels, Shimano TLD graphite reels, tuna tubes, live bait wells, Rupp tournament outriggers, and a full-size Murray Brothers fighting chair.
Bite Me II – 46' Hatteras which is also equipped with Gold Penn International two-speed reels, Shimano TLD graphite reels, tuna tubes, live bait wells, Rupp tournament outriggers, and a full-size Murray Brothers fighting chair. The owner, Brian is the captain for this boat. Please note that share trips are not offered on Bite Me II.
Bite Me III – 40' Egg Harbor with Gold Penn International two-speed reels, Shimano TLD graphite reels, tuna tubes, live bait wells, Rupp tournament outriggers, and a full-size Murray Brothers fighting chair.
Bite Me IV – 38' Hatteras similarly equipped to Bite Me 1 and 3.
Bite Me VI – 41' Hatteras with leather couches, cabin, and a shaded top deck for great viewing. Priced the same as Bite Me II.
Kila Kila – 53' Merritt vessel features dual Cummins 903 TI diesel engines (at 500 horsepower each), Furuno 48 mile radar, Northstar GPS with plotter, and tuna tower, luxury interiors, air-conditioning system, TV, and Koa wood throughout! It has 2 state rooms with restrooms and a full galley kitchen with a double door refrigerator and a full couch area.
Private charter rate is good for 1-6 passengers. Groups larger than 6 will require a second boat. Share rate is per person. 7.1667% tax/harbor fee added to all rates. Only Bite Me 1, 3, and 4 offer shares. No share rates are available on Bite Me 2 or 6. Bite Me 1, 3 and 4 are priced exactly the same and the specific boat assignment is made by the tour operator. Bite Me II and VI are slightly more expensive as they are 46' and 41' respectively.
Cost
HALF DAY SHARED CHARTERS
Four hour shared charters are offered at 6:30am and 10:30am aboard Bite Me 1, 3, and 4 and are priced per person.
$155 per person on Bite Me 1, 3, or 4
plus 7.712% Hawaii tax and harbor fee
HALF DAY PRIVATE CHARTERS
Four hour private charters are offered at 6:30am and 10:30am aboard all Bite Me boats and are priced per charter. The maximum passenger count per vessel is six.
$800 per charter on Bite Me 1, 3, or 4
$900 per charter on Bite Me 2 or 6
$1200 per charter on Kila Kila
plus 7.712% Hawaii tax and harbor fee
THREE-QUARTER DAY PRIVATE CHARTERS
Six hour private charters are offered at 6:30am aboard all Bite Me boats and are priced per charter. The maximum passenger count per vessel is six.
$1000 per charter on Bite Me 1, 3, or 4
$1100 per charter on Bite Me 2 or 6
$1400 per charter on Kila Kila
plus 7.712% Hawaii tax and harbor fee
FULL DAY PRIVATE CHARTERS
Eight hour private charters are offered at 6:30am aboard all Bite Me boats and are priced per charter. The maximum passenger count per vessel is six.
$1200 per charter on Bite Me 1, 3, or 4
$1300 per charter on Bite Me 2 or 6
$1600 per charter on Kila Kila
plus 7.712% Hawaii tax and harbor fee
Location
GPS Address: 74-380 Kealakehe Pkwy Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Click to view map
Details
Checkin: Honokohau Harbor off Highway 19 just 2.2 miles north of Kailua Kona town and 5.1 miles south of the Kona International Airport.
Gear Provided: Fishing rods, fishing reels and all gear and tackle, ice
Fishing License: Hawaii now requires all out of state residents 15 and older to have a license to fish in the ocean from a boat obtained from https://fishing.hawaii.gov/login. The cost of a one day license is $20 and it is not included in the trip cost. We suggest that you wait and purchase a one day license online after checking in for your tour and confirming that the trip is a "go." (The date of a license cannot be changed once it is ordered, so if your tour date is changed due to weather or other factors, you would need to get another one day license.)
What to Bring / Wear: Sport fishing attire, hat, sunscreen, food, and drinks (no glass bottles)
Reservations: Advanced reservations required and we recommend booking this a month or more before your arrival. A credit card is required to secure your space but this event is RESERVE NOW PAY LATER. Our office charges your credit card for your space just a few days before the start of your vacation.
Minimum Notice for Cancellations / Changes: At least 48 hours before the start of the event. 72 hours notice required for parties of 5 or more.
Kevin's Activity Tips:
One of the things that makes Kona the BEST sportfishing location in Hawaii is the deep water that exists just offshore. This makes it possible to have a successful charter with less time getting to and from the productive fishing areas. Normally we don't recommend half-day, four hour charters but Kona is the one place where trips of this length are often successful. For your highest probability of a productive charter, you should still consider a 6 or 8 hour trip if your budget and schedule allows.
We are often asked about the policy of handling fish that are caught during the charter. Here in Hawaii it is traditional for the fish that are caught to be kept by the crew as part of their compensation (it's actually good for the visitor's fishing experience because it gives the captain and crew a greater incentive to try HARD to find the fish). While that's the general rule in Hawaii, each company has a slightly different policy. Bite Me Sportfishing's policy is that any fish under 50 pounds is normally cut up for the guests to cook in their condo (if they have cooking facilities). Larger fish either make their way to local restaurants , or tag and release is practiced. It is very important to the crew that fish that is caught is NEVER wasted … our ocean rescources are a precious thing and that would be very bad karma.
Share charters are available on Bite Me I and Bite Me III and Bite Me 4 but we recommend that you go with a private charter if your budget allows. Sportfishing is less expensive in Kona than on other Hawaiian islands, and for two people the cost of a private charter in Kona is about the same as the cost of a share trip on Maui. With a private charter you are guaranteed to be a part of all the action, and you don't have to worry about getting stuck with someone you don't "click with" during your charter.
Please be aware that bananas are strictly forbidden on fishing boats. Everything about a banana is slippery … everybody's heard the expression "One foot over the edge and the other on a banana peel." In time bananas became known as a symbol of bad luck that would even affect your ability to catch fish. The other thing you shouldn't bring on board … glass bottles. All beverages should be in cans for safety of everyone on board.
What time slot to pick? That's actually a tough call in Kona. Generally in Hawaii ocean conditions are calmer in the morning, which makes for a more pleasant experience out on the water. That's less of an issue in Kona though, because this coastline is so sheltered from the trade winds that blow in the afternoon. There are more boats out on the water in the morning, and popular spots can be rather crowded .Midmorning charters in Kona are often just as productive (or more so). We recommend that you just select the time slot that sounds the best for your schedule if you are doing a 4 hour trip. If you are doing a 6 or 8 hour, those trips both leave early in the morning.
Occasionally we get asked if there is a money-back guarantee if fish are not caught. No, sorry … boats are expensive to operate and maintain. The fishing gear is also expensive. The crew needs to be paid. It isn't common to get skunked on a fishing charter in Kona, but it does happen on occasion. Many factors come into play that make some days excellent and other days below average … surface conditions, tides, schooling patterns. There's also the human element. How lucky are you??? How's your karma??? Have you been nice to people lately? It's rare, but occasionally a boat gets skunked … there are no guarantees. Just remember … the sport is called "fishing" and not "catching." But the crew of your boat will try their very hardest … they are professionals who know what they are doing. When you go to a restaurant in Hawaii and see a wide variety of fresh fish on the menu, just remember that SOMEONE caught those fish … might as well get out there and let it be YOU!
Check in for the 6:30am trips is done at the respective boat slip. Bite Me Sportfishing has a retail store at the harbor; be sure to stop in after your charter and check out their line of logowear. Checkin for the 10:30am and 2:30pm charters is done at the retail store.