Innholdsfortegnelse for June 1988 i Hawaii Fishing News

I would like to thankaverv special friend who has guided me through me diving vears. And also tome family and friends for their encouragement and support…. Myles ■ Tamura’s in Wai’anae, April 9, 1988: it’s 14 minutes after 2 o’clock. A nice, shiny scale with a digital readout sits waiting. A dolly carrying a huge fish is pushed alongside it by two brothers. Brian lifts the tail end on the scale and it immediately reads 80 lbs. Myles, with a meathook, lays the head half on. The scale readout jumps crazily to 140 lbs. Pandemonium! Everyone there yells and screams as the scale zeroes in on a number. It stops at 127.4! Unbelieving eyes stare at the little glass window, wondering if the reading is truly accurate. The scale is…

■ “I used to dream about this one,” bubbled Virginia Gardner as she looked up at the 813-lb Pacific blue marlin hanging from the Kona Dock scales. “It’s the big one I’ve been waiting for.” It was the big one a lot of women have been waiting for ever since Sandra Lee King boosted the women’s world record on 130-lb test line with a 737%-lb Kona marlin in July of 1981. Gardner just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and her dream came true. It was the right time in more than one way, since Ginny Gardner and her daughter Lee were fishing as a team with Capt. Tom Rogers and mate Curt Schloderer on the well-proven 41’ Hatteras KONA SEAFARI’m the 1988 Kona Gold…

Mr. Chuck Johnston Hawaii Fishing News P.O. Box 25413 Honolulu, Hawaii 96825 Dear Chuck, As this legislative session comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you fotyoursupportof my tuna resolutions. As you know, the unfortunate and mysterious disappearance of HR. 152, which urged the State to support the tuna industry, is an example of the power of those who seek to retard the growth of the industry. However, you may be interested to know that the most important, parts of my H.R. 152 appeared in Representative Virginia Isbell’s House Resolution 125 word for word! Nonetheless, it is comforting to know that something will finally be done to help small tuna fishermen and the tuna industryrasla whole. On the brighter side, H.R. 173, which asks…

■ The Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club produced the single largest overseas contingent at the official 200th anniversary fishing competition for Australia. Thirteen teams lead by club president Otis “Red” Butler, and his wife Janet, braved fierce seas and horrendous fishing conditions to maintain Hawaii’s reputation as a homeport of world class anglers. Hawaii’s oldest fishing organization opened the event by reading a letter to the gathered anglers from Governor John Waihee, congratulating Australia on its momentous birthday and inviting Australia’s anglers to sample Hawaiian waters. It was not until the waning hours of the event that the winner was certain. “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the largest Pacific blue marlin the Sydney Game Fishing Club Tias ever weighed,” boomed the tournament announcer. “Jason Simpson of the Sydney Game Fishing…

‘Ahi Fever Hits ■ When fishermen (or women as the case may be) hear the word ‘ahi a peculiar phenomenon called ‘“ahi fever” generally occurs, especially at this time of the year. Like “spring fever,” it is not a medical illness but a state of awareness that engulfs a person, causing various kinds of excitement, from quiet concentration to outright jumping up and down. Reports indicate that a glazed look overcomes those afflicted with this fever, along with a constant urge to go fishing for the particular fish for which this condition is named. Yes, the time of the year has come, and the ‘ahi are here. By Windward Coast standards, the ‘ahi have arrived quite early. In my eight years observing the fishing trends, this is the first time…

■ Although the fishing action slowed considerably, there were a number of significant catches as well as some interesting events and important developments. The ever-increasing anticipation of the arrival of ‘ahi schools kept fishermen searching the fringes of the Kaua’i Channel in hopes of being one of the first to run across a pile of these back-breaking tuna. By the end of the month rumors of ‘ahi piles appearing off of Barbers Point, Kahuku Point, and outside the Crusher (near Mokule’ia), ran rampant over the CB air waves. Confirmation, however, was as elusive as the ‘ahi piles themselves. Merle Painter warmed up for the annual summer run of ‘ahi by landing a 103-lb yellowfin while palu ‘ahi fishing at Kaena Point. The palu ‘ahi action has slowed down dramatically this…

■ Hello, Rock Hoppers! Ulua, ulua, everywhere ulua. That’s the way the season is shaping up after a late start. The word is if you want to get out of the “banana club,” get out your gear and head for your favorite rock. If you don’t score this year it will probably be from lack of trying, not lack of ulua. Not only are there many ulua swimming in the waters of the main islands, but there are a lot of them in the 100-plus range. That’s what my diving friends tell me, and the proof is in the number of fish exceeding 100 lbs that are coming up. The most recent 100-plus honors go to Kaua’i shorecaster Malcolm Fernandez. Malcolm, an employee of Kekaha Sugar Company, was kind enough…

SEND A PHOTO AND LETTER ABOUT YOUR CATCH, AND WE WILL MAIL YOU A FREE GIFT… OUR WAY OF SAYING T FOR SHARING NOUR CATCH! … CHUCK SEND TO: P. O. BOX 25413, HONOLULU, HAWAII 96825 Dear Chuck, Enclosed is a photo of the first fish that Greg Moss caught on our new boat EGBAR; a 22 Hydra Sport. We caught this 40-lb kaku (barracuda) between Makapu’u Point and Biack Island on a large deep diving Rapala (green and gold). We thought that we hooked bottom because it was shallow, but as we grabbed the pole the fish took its first jump. It took Greg 15 minutes to land the fish, using a Penn 850 with 25-lb mono. It was good that it hit the large Rapala because its 1-inch…

■ In Hawai’i a diver’s life centers on the ocean. Some make their living fishing from it;, others in the tourist industry depend on its beauty. So many people use the ocean that its use is being studied by the government to determine ways to conserve the marine life and regulate recreatignal activities for the greatest benefit to the community. It’s important to be aware of these actions and participate in these decisions that affect you and the environment. Get involved, and contact your representative so your opinions can be heard. One of the issues being discussed now is the creation of an artficial reef surrounded by a marine life preserve in Mamala Bay. The reef is called for under State House Resolution 266. Artificial reefs have been around in…

■ Madam Pele ceased spewing volcanic vapors into the atmosphere over the Big Island of Hawaii long enough to allow the women entered in the 9th Annual Golden Goddess Tournament to fish under dazzling blue skies. It was one of the first clear days in recent memory on the “vogbound” Kona Coast. After the decorated boat parade snaked past the Kailua pier, a water balloon melee broke out amongst the 41 boats idling at the start line. Landing nets served as ammunition retrievers for those low on armaments, and several women are said to have bemoaned the cessation of hostilities marked by the starting signal. The enthusiasm exhibited was contagious. With adrenalin pumping and a positive, good-times attitude permeating the fleet, they were off and running. Too bad no one…

■ 1. The lure in the mouth of the ‘ahi shown on our May cover prompted requests for more information. That’s a West Coast lure, similar to the diamond jig, but with some important differences. Called a “Yo Ho Ho,"’ it is a metal slab, flat on one side and curved on the other. The shape causes it to dart, wobble and flutter when it is jigged. The lure’s appeal is enhanced by a two-tone paint job. It seems to twinkle as it twirls. Brazed rings give it strength, and the treble hook it comes with is beefy enough for most fish. We watched the particular action Phil Rarick used to deep-jig several nice tuna. He lowered it down below the depth at which we had spotted fish on the…

■ Hana pa‘a! It’s the most exciting word that a captain or angler can hear, especially when a Pacific blue marlin hooks up. The atmosphere changes, the excitement begins, and anxieties mount as the angler enters the battle. These feelings were expressed on the COREENE CUI by Rob Goulding on April 8 when he fought and successfully landed his first Pacific blue weighing 658 lbs. “I couldn’t believe or realize the speed and strength of the fish,” said Rob. “It’ll take awhile to forget the sound of the line screaming from the reel and the marlin’s first jump.” According to Capt. Chris Lightfoot, “There were only three wraps of line left on the spool and I had to back down on the high-tailing fish which relieved the pressure on the…

Ocean Mining Update ■ It has been pretty quiet on the ocean mining front since the flurry of activity revolving around the extended public comment period died down. That’s not to say that nothing is happening, just nothing public. The precedent-setting re-opening of the period for public comment on the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) allowed twice as many people to provide input into the process. The original DEIS includes suggested plans to strip mine Hawaii’s ocean bottom, transport the cobalt rich manganese crusts to Hawaii, process them in smelting plants built on our shores, and dump the wastes on our land or off our shores. The new input includes comments by a number of people bypassed by the barely announced public hearings and those unable to assimilate the massive…

■ I awoke Sunday morning, April 10,1988, to find that my brothers had gone diving without me, so I decided to do a short shore dive alone I drove my pickup truck down to an area between the natural energy lab and Pine Trees surfing spot, near Keahole Point in Kailua-Kona. Parking in a spot where it would be easy to get out of the water, I walked about a quarter mile south and jumped in. I’m rigged for big fish with a 39-inch Sea Hornet arbalette with three rubber strands, a custom stainless spring, tempered steel shaft made by Riffe International, and 600-lb test steel cable connected to 130 feet of 300-lb test on a Riffe reel. Just as a safety measure I tie 100 feet of floating L”…

■ At first glance, the placid water seemed to be showered by a light, steady rain. Small, circular ripples appeared out of nowhere atop the still water.-Out of curiosity. I decided to get a better look and made my way down to the water’s edge. Equipped with my polaroid sunglasses, I carefully scanned the water for any activity. Small silvery flashes appeared everywhere; hundreds, maybe thousands, flashed within the blink of an eye. A school of nehu sparkled in the water. They seemed to be moving in a smail, tight circle; this only meant one thing: they were spooked, and something was corraling them for an ambush. I quickly ran for my rod and reel and began to set it up, keeping a constant eye on the nehu and expecting…

The World’s Largest Party Boat ■ Nick Chu’s dream is to run a long-range party boat from Kaua‘i to the northwest Hawaiian Islands, fishing waters he calls, “untouched, with unbelievable schools of ‘ahi and ono.” It looks like his dream will come true, perhaps even before the end of this year. At this moment, Nick’s party boat is being built at Swist Ships in Freeport, Texas, with delivery scheduled sometime in December. And what a boat it will be—135-feet long, stateroom accomodations for 40 fishermen, and built at a cost of $3 million. We interviewed Nick at his home in Beaumont, Texas, to get more details. Nick is originally from Kaua’i, where he ran the PAPOOSE, a 63’ AVR converted for sport and commercial fishing. He left Kaua‘i to operate…

Scorecard of the 1988 Legislative Session ■ The 1988 Hawaii legislative session is history. Legis-: lation was passed which will affect fishermen and J boaters. One bill gives the Department of i Transportation (DOT) greater authority to regulate the s anchoring, mooring or placement of houseboats and vessels within the navigable streams and ocean waters of s the state outside state harbors. Another authorizes the director of the DOT to confer limited police powers on i county employees. Lifeguards will be unarmed, but will i have authority to enforce State laws and rules in waters f fronting county beaches. Act 24 was signed by the i. Governor on. April 27. It removes the minimum weight i requirement for the sale of slipper lobsters. Below are listed some of the resolutions…

The fifth annual Kaneohe Junior Fishing Tournament was held at the Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor with 126 participants, 14 years and under, competing for a boatload of prizes. The event was held under ideal conditions, with light winds and sunny skies. In addition to the fishing, the tournament gave the youngsters a chance to visit with friends and relatives. The tournament stresses conservation of fishing resources by recording fish that will be returned to the water alive. It is hoped that this method of release will teach the children not to waste the fishing resources available to everyone in Kane’ohe Bay. The following anglers represented shore and boat categories and their respective age groups.…

■ April was another slow month around O‘ahu. The presence of small ‘ahi, aku and malolo (flying fish) probably meant that the big fish had plenty to eat and needed something exceptional to encourage them to bite. Keehi Boat Club continued to find fish when others were still looking and their total for April trolling was 1456 lbs. Bottom fishing produced 176 lbs. Several boats found good catches of mahi: BBL got two (31 and 11 lbs), MAMO BIRD, two (21 and 20 lbs), SHELIA KII, two (17 and 21 lbs). In the ono department, LANIII boated a 45-pounder, LAVINIA K a 22-pounder and HIKI NO bested an 18-pounder. Shibi, aku and ‘ahi were found in good supply. The year to date figure for trolling by Keehi Boat Club is…

Kailua-Kona Catch Report Due to the limited space available and the large number of fish caught, catch reports are limited to tuna over 100 lbs and billfish of any size, any species. (S) = Striped marlin, (B) = Black marlin and (T) = Tag and release, weight estimated.…