The Best Fish to Catch in Hawaii and Where to Find Them

Quick Take

• One location on the Big Island dominates nearly every species on this list, and its edge over everywhere else isn't what most anglers expect. Kona's marlin dominance →
• The tuna you've almost certainly eaten from a grocery store shelf is actually one of Hawaii's top catches, and most people have no idea they're already familiar with it. The tuna you know as ahi →
• Hawaii's underwater geography gives it a fishing advantage almost no other destination on Earth can replicate, which is the reason certain monster fish are accessible without a long boat ride. Why Kona's geography wins →
• Fishing Hawaii in summer feels obvious, but the calendar for trophy catches has at least one window that consistently surprises visiting anglers. Fall's surprising trophy window →

The tropical waters around Hawaii make it a great place to fish year-round. The warmer, more stable water temperatures support vibrant coral reefs and a wide variety of tropical fish species. The islands also rise sharply from the ocean floor, which brings deep water close to the shore. The deep waters attract migratory predatory fish like marlins, mahi-mahi, and tuna. Read on to discover the best fish to catch in Hawaii and where to find them.

1. Pacific Blue Marlin

The Pacific blue marlin, also known as Aʻu or kajiki, is a prized sport fish in Hawaii, known for its aggressiveness, speed, and power. These ocean fish are dark blue on top with silvery undersides and faint, light-blue stripes. They also have long, spear-shaped bills for slashing and stunning prey in the open ocean. Most catches reach 15-30 pounds, but some females may grow larger.

Blue marlin are active throughout the year, but they prefer warm surface waters, so larger fish tend to be more active and abundant during the summer months from June through October. Kona on the Big Island is widely considered the best place to fish for blue marlin in Hawaii, well known for its calm waters, higher average ocean temperatures, and deep drop-offs close to the harbor.

2. Mahi-Mahi

Dolphinfish and Dorado are a few of the nicknames for one of Hawaii’s most popular fish, mahi-mahi. They’re known for their vibrant yellow, green, and blue coloration and a dorsal fin extending from their head to the tip of their tail. They’re one of the fastest-growing saltwater fish and can easily weigh over 50 pounds. However, average catch sizes are 10 to 20 pounds.

The best times to fish for mahi-mahi are when the water gets warmer in the spring from March–May and the fall migration from September–November. One of the best fishing locations for mahi-mahi is the Kona Coast on the Big Island due to its deep, calm waters. Other top locations include Oahu’s Penguin Banks and Māʻalaea Harbor on the south-central shore of Maui.

3. Pacific Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi)

Yellowfin tuna are one of the best fish to catch in Hawaii because of their availability, as they are abundant and swim in schools. These torpedo-shaped fish are metallic dark blue on their backs and upper sides with yellow to silver undersides. They also have long yellow dorsal fins and a yellow stripe down the sides. Common catches are 30 to 150 pounds, but they can reach up to 400 pounds.

Anglers can fish for yellowfin tuna year-round. However, the peak season is considered to be May through September, with July and August being the best time to catch trophy fish over 100 pounds. Off the shores of Kona is also a popular place to catch yellowfin due to easy access to deep water closer to shore. On Oahu, Waianae Boat Harbor on the west side and Haleiwa on the North Shore are yellowfin hotspots. Port Allen on Kauai is also known for steep ledge drop-offs and deep water.

4. Wahoo (Ono)

Wahoo are prized as hard-fighting fish with a delicious, mild meat. They have long, narrow, torpedo-shaped bodies and razor-sharp teeth. Their backs are iridescent blue-green with silvery undersides and blue stripes on their sides. Average wahoo catches generally weigh between 15 and 40 pounds; however, trophy fish upwards of 100 pounds are not uncommon.

Wahoo are generally caught by trollers and longliners. They can be caught year-round, but the peak season in Hawaii begins in April or May and runs through October. As with other pelagic species, Kona on the Big Island is one of the best destinations for wahoo. The deep-sea ledges off the North Shore (Haleiwa) and the Leeward Coast (Waianae) in Oahu are also premier wahoo fishing spots.

5. Skipjack Tuna (Aku)

A cousin of the yellowfin, Aku tuna has a lot of nicknames, but most anglers refer to this saltwater species as skipjack tuna. These are the main fish used in commercial “light” tuna sold in grocery stores. Skipjack tuna have violet-blue backs and silver undersides with dark horizontal stripes. Most catches average 4 to 15 pounds, but the state record is 40 pounds, 8 ounces.

Skipjack tuna can be caught throughout the year, but the best time to fish for them is the warmer summer months, generally from May through September. Schools are more active and feed closer to the surface. They can be found throughout the state, including the Kona Coast off the Big Island, Oahu’s Penguin Banks, and around the state-maintained buoys (Fish aggregating devices) off Maui and Kauai.

6. Grey Snapper (Uku)

Grey snappers are popular for their soft, white flaky meat. They have blunt heads with a horizontal groove in front of their eyes. Their bodies are dark greenish-grey with dark dorsal fin membranes. They typically average 8 to 10 pounds, but some individuals can reach up to 25 pounds.

Grey snappers can be caught year-round, but the best availability is May to July and again in the fall from September to November. Grey snapper are usually found near reefs. Penguin Banks in the open channel between Oahu and Molokaʻi is considered one of the best hotspots for large aggregations of grey snapper. However, they can also be found around deep ledges and drop-offs across the waters of all the main Hawaiian Islands.

7. Bluefin Trevally (Omilu)

The bluefin trevally is in the jack family, and it is prized as a hard-fighting game fish in both nearshore and inshore waters. These flat, oval fish have electric-blue fins and brassy-silvery bodies with blue spots. The average size of an adult fish in Hawaiian waters is 5 to 10 pounds, but some individuals can reach up to 20 pounds.

Bluefin trevally can be caught year-round in tropical waters. However, cooler late fall temperatures in November–December can increase activity for reef predators like bluefin trevally along shallow ledges. Warmer water in the summer through early fall from June through October brings higher inshore activity, making it the best time to cast lures.