Plan Your Hawaii Fishing Trip to 7 Spots Loaded with Trophy Species

Quick Take

• Hawaii's state fish is famous for putting up a massive fight, though most anglers don't realize that catching one could actually ruin their dinner plans.
• The moon's phase secretly determines whether you'll catch anything at one of Hawaii's most productive harbors. Moon phases and ahi →
• The State of Hawaii has quietly rigged fishing spots to attract trophy-sized pelagic fish, though most visitors never notice. State-placed fish devices →
• One Maui beach ranks among the most fish-abundant in the world, yet it rarely shows up on serious anglers' radar. World-class Maui beach fishing →

Can you say humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa? This long name belongs to Hawaii’s state fish. As a member of the Balistidae family, this small fish has a reputation for putting up a big fight despite its size. Anglers lucky enough to catch one will be in for a thrilling experience. While catching these triggerfish is fun, they’re not very tasty. If you’re looking for delicious trophy fish in Hawaii, you’ll want to target mahi-mahi, striped marlin, and ahi. However, where should anglers cast their lines to catch these fish? Read on to discover 7 of the best fishing spots in Hawaii.

1. Kōke’e Public Fishing Area

The Kōke’e Public Fishing Area includes reservoirs, streams, and even ditches throughout the Kōke‘e State Park on Kaua‘i. Anglers must visit the designated check-in stations to report their fishing activities. After checking in, you can fish during the open season between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Throughout the streams and reservoirs, you’ll be able to find native and introduced species. Some introduced freshwater game species include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, rainbow trout, bluegill, tucunare, and oscar.

2. Haleiwa 

On the North Shore of Oahu, you’ll find Haleiwa, a popular fishing destination. Take advantage of the deep waters off the coast of Haleiwa to catch tuna, mahi-mahi, and marlin. Deep-sea species peak from June through September. It’s one of the best times to catch yellowfin tuna, and fish over 100 pounds are caught more frequently during these months than any other time of year. Or skip the boat and take advantage of the inshore fishing opportunities. The local reefs are home to grouper, amberjack, triggerfish, and snapper. 

3. Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona on the west coast of Hawaii Island offers one-of-a-kind fishing opportunities. The locals call the hot spot Kona, and it’s a great area for big game fishing. If you’re on the hunt for wahoo and marlin, look no further. You might even catch a trophy-sized fish. The giant marlin feeds on the giant squid in the Hawaiian waters. There’s a healthy supply of marlin and wahoo from July through September. However, the spot is great for year-round fishing too. The water is always calm thanks to the mountains blocking the wind. 

4. Penguin Banks

The next fishing spot is located on Penguin Bank, a broad submarine shelf roughly 20 miles long and 10 miles wide in the Kaiwi Channel off Molokai. It is the perfect place to find a mixture of baitfish and predatory species. You’ll be able to find all sorts of species, especially during the summer season. Anglers have access to some of the best pelagic fish. Wahoo, mahi-mahi, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna are regular catches.

5. Waianae

You’ll find the Waianae Coast on the west side of Oahu island. It’s a hot spot for anglers throughout Hawaii. The State of Hawaii has placed fish aggregating devices that attract some of the largest pelagic fish. That means there are prime opportunities for catching Pacific blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, ono, bigeye tuna, and wahoo. If you want to catch smaller species, then stick to shoreline fishing.

6. Black Rock

You’ll find a peninsula called Black Rock at the northern end of Kaanapali Beach in West Maui, Hawaii. Snorkelers and anglers love this location because of the different fish species. Perch, triggerfish, mackerel, and turtles are frequently found here. It is one of the most abundant fishing beaches in the world, so even a novice angler can make a big catch. Black Rock also hosts a daily sunset cliff-diving ceremony.

7. Hilo Harbor

One of Hawaii’s best locations for ahi fishing is Hilo Harbor. It sits on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii, just over 2 miles from downtown Hilo. Ahi tuna swim closest to the shore from May through September. Some of the other species you’ll be able to catch here include black triggerfish, yellowfin tuna, and crevalle jack. Predatory fish hunt in low-light conditions where they can easily ambush their prey, so twilight is the best time for shallow water fishing at Hilo Harbor. Days following a new moon are also productive. The bright moon makes it difficult for predatory fish to feed at night, forcing them out to your fishing line during the day.