Wondering what are the best fish species to target for Hawaii summer fishing? If you’re planning on kayak fishing in Hawaii this summer, it’s time to start dialing in your game plan for what fish species are in season.
Figuring out what fish to target is often the biggest decision a fisherman has to make. Ask any successful person: without focus, you’re nothing but a highly motivated, craftily skilled leaf in the wind. The key to successful fishing is no different.
Even though Pacific Warriors might have you tunnel-vision focused on hunting big tuna or marlin, there are a variety of non-pelagic species to target, many of which are chase-worthy and well-suited for the dinner table.
Here are the top 10 Hawaii summer fish species that should definitely be on your radar plus 1 bonus ’cause there are just way too many fish species for just 10.
- Kumu. The Whitesaddle goatfish (AKA Kumu) can grow up to 20 inches long and weight up to 5lbs, though most are considerably smaller. They are a predatory reef-dwelling fish, so you don’t have to wander out to the deep blue to hook up with one. They feed mostly on crustaceans but are known to hit just about any small lure that moves; folks have had plenty of success with the old-faithful stinky squid and/or shrimp cocktail. The young kumu are known to show up closer to shore during spring and will stick around through summer; once they’re big enough, they tend to migrate deeper off-shore on the reefs.
- ‘Oama. The White weke, more commonly known as ‘oama, is a well sought after bait fish popular in the spring through summer months. The rules governing juvenile ‘oama fishing are very strict, so do your research. Every local fisherman has his/her secret strategy for catching juvenile ‘oama, but they’re generally looking for small crustaceans; small bits of stinky shrimp are known to bring relative success. Once the juveniles mature, they tend to move further offshore, deeper into the nearshore reef environment.
- Laenihi. The Laenihi (AKA Blackside razorfish) is another nearshore predator type of goatfish; however, it is commonly missed among nearshore fishermen as an excellent food fish. They are known to grow up to 15 inches long and weigh up to 2 lbs, though frequently caught smaller. They are less commonly tucked away in the reefs and are more commonly found in sandy areas, especially in between reef sections, in depths from 60 up to 300 feet. They also feed primarily on crustaceans, so the same fishing techniques can be used.
- Akule, the bigeyed scad, is another chase-worthy fish that can be pursued off a kayak without entering the extreme kayak fishing territory. Growing up to 15 inches long and weighing up to 2 lbs, a mature Akule can potentially feed an adult and makes an excellent dinner table menu item. However, we’re not the only species who loves the bigeyed scad; juvenile Akule (Halalu < 5in.) are a prized bait fish often used to lure larger sport fish, such as tuna, mahi mahi, or marlin. Akule can be found just about anywhere nearshore and tend to cruise in schools nearer the water’s surface, so keep your eyes on the birds. They spawn outside the winter months and can be found in big schools near shallow water during that time period.
- Kahala, AKA Greater amberjack, can be a bucket list catch for an average kayak fisherman, producing those coveted tavern-worthy stories. The Kahala amberjack can potentially grow to the size of a man with records up to 6 feet long weighing up to 120 lbs. However, most amberjacks are commonly smaller and can be found in depths of 60 up to 600 feet, which is why I argue that they’re still a good species to target off an ocean kayak. Smaller, younger amberjacks, on the other hand, can potentially wander within that mile-out zone and have been found just off the backside of reef drop-offs in depths of roughly 100 feet. Halalu and Opelu are the bait of choice for targeting one of these predator fish.
- Kamanu. If you’re venturing out past the reef into the deep/deeper blue, the Kamanu (AKA Rainbow runner) is one of the best of the Carangids (Jacks and their allies) species to target. Trolling with lures and bait casting with smaller halalu, opelu, and even oama are efficient targeting tactics for hooking up with this fantastic food fish. They also tend to cruise alone or in small schools closer to the surface, especially around floating objects, which makes them an ideal species to target, especially if you can’t rely on a fish finder. They’re a smaller Carangid growing up to 4 feet long, weighing up to 10 lbs, though commonly smaller, so you don’t necessarily have to be a Viking warrior to land one.
- ‘Opelu is the gold standard of baitfish in Hawaii. They’re very difficult to stumble upon without a proper fish finder, so plan on investing in a good one if baitcasting with Opelu is your strategy. This is what all the extreme kayak fishermen are after. However, similar to Akule, mature Opelu can grow up to 20 inches long and weigh up to 2 lbs, making them not only a preferred baitfish, but an excellent food fish, too. To find them, you’re going to need to venture out to the deep blue with a fish finder to track down that bait ball and some weighted light tackle (like a sibiki rig). Spawning from March through August, juveniles will move into coastal water during the non-summer, non-spawning months.
- Ulua. It’s hard to talk about Ulua without getting just a little giddy. The White ulua (AKA Giant trevally) are an exciting gamefish but require some skill to track down. Juvenile Ulua, however, known as Papio, are ravenous hunters and will bite just about anything you throw in the water so watch your toes (just kidding). If you’re kayak fishing inside the outer reefs, you’re most likely going to land some Papio. The good news is that their fight far surpasses their meager size and they’re actually quite good to eat. Ulua can grow fairly large. I’m not exactly sure at what point a Papio becomes an Ulua; it’s a matter of some debate and depends on who you ask. Though I argue that, once they start breaking your line at just above the 1 foot and 2-pound mark, you’re probably heading into Ulua territory. Oama is arguably the preferred baitcasting strategy for targeting Ulua, and you can target them all year round.
- ‘Omilu (AKA Bluefin trevally) are a relatively smaller Carangid species, growing up to 3 feet in length and weighing up to 20 lbs, though commonly smaller. This makes them a very approachable gamefish to target while Hawaii kayak fishing. The attractive thing about ‘Omilu is that they can be found at various stages of growth, at various depths; you don’t necessarily need to venture out into the deep blue to find some smaller trevally.
- ‘Ahi palaha (AKA Albacore tuna or Tombo) is another attractive gamefish for Hawaii kayak fishing. Rarely weighing over 40 lbs, they’re commonly smaller and more approachable than the more prized yellowfin. However, they’re typically found in the open ocean at great depths, which makes them a dangerous chore to track down off Oahu. But if you can find them, a Tombo will give you the ride of your life. Albacore are more commonly caught during the summer months. Most fishermen won’t waste their time on them during winter.
- Aku, or Skipjack tuna, is another type of tuna that’s not quite as popular as the holy grail that is the yellowfin. Aku can weigh around 20 lbs on average during the summer time when they’re more common. They’re generally found out in the deep blue at depths of several hundred feet, and most fishermen are luring them in with live opelu or even akule. However, trolling and even jigging with the right lures has been known to work, too.
Those are the top ten plus 1 bonus Hawaii summer fish species to target while Hawaii kayak fishing this summer season. Now that you know what to focus on with summer right around the corner, make sure you have the best Hawaii fishing kayak, or at least the essentials, and don’t forget to be safe.