Honolulu Hawai`i, (March 30, 1999) -- With its perfect climate, stable water temperature, and a consistent supply of Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Ono and Ahi throughout the course of the year, it’s no wonder that Hawaii is the place for the world’s greatest sportfishing. Boasting such angling feats as the only place in the world to post a grander in every calendar month of the year, the IGFA World Record for the largest Pacific Blue Marlin (1,376 lbs off Kaiwi Point, Big Island), the largest Marlin ever caught on Rod and Reel (1,805 lbs off the South Shore of Oahu) and the host of the only tournament in the world to weigh two granders the same year (Lahaina Jackpot, Maui), Hawaii sportfishing is truly a special event that can be enjoyed all year long.

The following is a partial rundown of just some of the tournaments which will be held throughout all of Hawaii this summer. For detailed information on any of these tournaments and several others as well, or to see the results of the events just passed, click to the Sportfish Hawaii website and go to the tournament section. Or, for information on where to spend a night away from the big city while working on your catch ratios, click on the destinations section and see where we like to get away from it all!

Interisland Tournament Line Up

On April 17th and 18th, The Hawaii Yacht Club proudly presents their 20th annual Senoritas Fishing Tournament at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor on O`ahu. This modified IGFA tournament was the first, and remains the largest, event in Hawai`i whereby only the ladies get to angle the fish. This one is a lot of fun for everyone, and with this being the 20th year, it should be prove to be a highly attended event.

Over the weekend of May 14 and 15, Mike Nelson and Joe Kimura will hold the trolling division of the Oahu Calabash tournament. This unique format event allows skippers to leave from several harbors on O`ahu, thus giving a potential advantage to skippers on the side of the island where the fish are biting.

May 22nd is day of the Pearl Harbor Fishing Tournament, an annual event held with a starting point inside Pearl Harbor, and this same weekend is the Kona Classic Tournament in Kona, one of a series of tournaments hosted by the Tropidilla Productions.

June 11 and 12 are the dates for the 3rd Annual Ahi Fever Tournament in Waianae, O`ahu, hosted by the Waianae Boat Fishing Club. This will be the third straight year Ahi Fever will set a state record for attendance, and the harbormaster will cut off the entries at 260 boats. The primary target species is Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna), and this one is definitely a fan favorite. Hint to any visitor wishing to charter and enter this awesome event: ENTER NOW or you just won’t get in.

A couple weeks later, on June 23-25 out in Haleiwa, O`ahu is the Hana Pa’a Tournament. Another local favorite, this event held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday draws folks from all over the island and beyond to match their wits with the Kaua`i Channel.

The Independence Day weekend is busy for tournaments in Hawai`i. On Kaua`i, the 3rd and 4th are the dates for the Rainbow Jackpot Fishing Tournament, while in Kona there are two big events. July 4th is set for the World Cup Blue Marlin Championship, a worldwide event with a winner take all prize, and the 12th annual Firecracker Open, another of the Tropidilla Productions events.

The new World Billfish Challenge, a two event tournament in Kona is held the week of July 11 through 18. The light tackle shootout is the first event, and the heavy tackle challenge runs over the weekend. The winner of this one gets an entry into the IGFA year 2000 tournament to be held in Kona, so consider that thought in your travel plans.

Of course, who can forget that early August is the time for the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, and 1999 is the 41st year of this great event. If you are interested in sportfishing history as well as a great time, don’t miss this one.

Back on O`ahu, August 13 and 14 will be the dates for the second annual Hooter’s Fishing Tournament, which is the only fishing tournament held from Honolulu Harbor. Everyone loves the ambiance of this event, as the natural beauty of the Koolau Mountain range stands tall behind historic Aloha Tower.

The Maalaea boating Club hosts the Lanai Rendezvous on August 20 and 21, and this little event is not so little anymore. Manele Bay harbor on Lana`i is getting a little crowded for the tournament, but it’s a great event that brings a bunch of excitement to an otherwise sleepy island.

Rounding out the list for September and October are the Ho’olea Fishing Tournament on September 4 and 5, hosted jointly by the Hawai`i and Waikiki Yacht Clubs, and the Lahaina Jackpot on October 22 through 24, hosted by Lahaina Yacht Club on Maui. Both are IGFA style events run in Jackpot format, and these are always major crowd pleasers.

There will be plenty of excitement in these events this year as in years past, so take a look at the schedule and see how you can get involved in tournament fishing in the great state of Aloha. Have a great summer and Fish Hawai`i !

Sportfish Hawaii, a locally based company dedicated to the promotion of sportfishing in Hawaii to both locals and visitors alike, maintains an up to date list of all big game tournaments which are open to the public throughout the state, and then, as each event passes, posts photos and results of these tournaments. So, if you are looking for a way to enhance your vacation experience or simply would like to know about who won what and where, and with how big a fish, you’ve come to the right place.

In addition to posting a tournament schedule, Sportfish Hawaii maintains a list of boats that are ready to serve your fishing fetish. We can help you with arranging a charter to participate in one of these great events, and we can also get you set up to take an overnight fishing trip to a remote island.