Innholdsfortegnelse for August 1992 i Hawaii Fishing News

■ Thirty-three poles stood only inches apart on the small point. It was the prime week of the moon phase, but the fishing was disappointingly slow. No strikes had been recorded on the previous nights, and we were puzzled. The month before, the ulua had been biting during the prime, but what was keeping them away this month? In anticipation that an ulua school might swing by, we “put it to the lead.” In this crowded situation, we kept our lines taut and heads cool. In the height of ulua season, droves of anglers zoom in on the hot spots and cooperation and teamwork are essential. We waited for darkness to come. Roy Nakamura, Eric Imasaka, Mike Yoshida and Ralph Tasaka had been pounding night after night, waiting, anticipating. The…

■ While compiling last month’s story about the 1,356-lb blue marlin, I heard more interesting things than I could fit into the column at the time. The loose ends include a dream, a jet, some speculation on the past history of the fish and the overall difficulties of getting a big fish to gaff. The Dream Angler Jeff Livingstone had just moved to Maui from Connecticut. He came across a fishing publication and read about Kona’s “Wall of Granders.” Even though he had never gone marlin fishing before, that night he had a vivid dream about fishing for marlin and catching a grander. The next morning, he announced to his friends at breakfast that he was going to Kona to fish, would be catching a grander and expected to be…

■ 1. Rigging Right. Each year, the technicalities of tandem hook trolling rigs trip up would-be record holders and disqualify potential tournament winners. Rigging right is no more difficult than rigging wrong, but first you have to know two simple laws of overlap: (1) the eye of the trailing hook may not overlap the bend of the front hook; and (2) the skirt of the trolling lure must overlap some portion of the rear hook. (This reminder was prompted by photos in a Florida fishing magazine showing “how to rig offshore lures like the pros.” The “pro” tandem rigs in the photos violated the first law, and, therefore, would lead to the denial of a record application to the IGFA or the disqualification of a catch made in a tournament…

■ The North Shore Spearfishers (NSS) will host their annual free-diving contest on August 22 at Hale‘iwa Beach Park. What started out as a backyard contest has turned into a prestigious event showcasing some of Hawai‘i’s best competitive divers. After the cancellation of some other diving contests, including the Moloka‘i meet hosted by Manae’s Canoe Club and the annual Hana contest hosted by Maui Sporting Goods, all eyes have turned to the North Shore Spearfishing Competition (NSSC). The field this year, as in the past, will be “awesome.” Competing will be the Nakis from Moloka‘i (brothers Ray and Walter), who will be representing Hawai‘i in the U.S. Nationals at Carmel, California; Terrence Takahata, Hawai‘i’s hopeful for a national and world title; the Yoshikawas (Brian, Alan and Myles), household names in…

■ The blue marlin count for the month rose to 18, but overall only 37 billfish were captured from aboard 10 boats. There was a hot one-day marlin bite around the K-buoy; six blues were brought to the scales. The MANO KELA, with three blues on the swimstep, was the first boat to the dock that day and was followed by the FINEST KIND, also with three blues. Capt. Sal Tarantino and crewman Jim Francis aboard the MANO KELA set up their lure pattern at Manele Bay and trolled out to the K-buoy. They picked up a couple of aku on their first pass through the area and dragged them around for a while. Both of the baits were tired, and one was spinning out of control. Jim was about…

■ Seven undersized or severely emaciated Hawaiian monk seal juveniles from French Frigate Shoals (FFS) were brought to O‘ahu on May 7, 1992, in an attempt to save their lives, reported George W. Boehlert, director of the Honolulu Laboratory of the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. Scientists believe that the poor condition of these seals is due to a lack of food to support the FFS population. Two of the seals, both males, could not be saved; they died several days after their arrival. Necropsies and tests have not revealed the exact cause of death. The other seals, all females, are being carefully monitored in a holding pen on a secluded beach at the Marine Corps Air Station, Kane‘ohe Bay. This beach will remain off limits to ensure the isolation of…

Marina Seafood 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. Kona Marlin Center Report…

Mr. Chuck Johnston, We on Kaua‘i—mayor, recreational and commercial fishermen—all support at least a 50/75 mile limit to longline fishing. We support targeting bigeye tuna and swordfish for the longline fleet. Therefore, we support Bob Endreson and the Hawaii Fishermen’s Foundation, and monetarily help it. Mr. Rufo J. Lujan attacks us if he chastises Mr. Endreson. We find the WESPAC council’s decisions unexplainable just as Bob does; except in a political context. We cannot comment regarding Mr. Endreson’s tactics and possible annoyance to the WESPAC staff, but his goal is our goal. We all view the present WESPAC council deliberations to be outdated. We see the council concentrating attention on the longliners as though they are the fishery—and the brokers, too. We see the Magnuson Act abandoned. We see studies…

■ A proposed bill (H.R. 2152) pending in the U.S. House of Representatives contains an amendment by Rep. Jolene Unsoeld (D-WA) that would place mandatory trade sanctions on sportfishing equipment manufactured by any nation that violates a 1989 United Nation’s conditional resolution banning the use of high-seas drift nets by June 30, 1992. The UN is now expected to approve a ban on all high-seas drift netting by the end of 1992. Two of the three principal countries involved in the drift net fishery—Japan and Taiwan—agreed to curtail half of their drift net fisheries by the UN’s original June 30,1992, deadline, and to end the other half by December 31,1992. The third country, South Korea, a major source of rods and reels that find their way to the American fisherman,…

■ The Hawaiian awaawa, otherwise known as Elops hawaiensis, ladyfish, or Hawaiian 10-pounder, is now under a microscope. Another ladyfish, Elops saurus, is found in much cooler waters around the Atlantic and attains a much smaller size than its Hawaiian counterpart. I was amazed to hear of this species and wondered how the two differed. According to Dr. David Greenfield, professor and head of the Zoology Department at the University of Hawaii, the awaawa (Elops hawaiensis) is now being studied to see if Elops saurus and hawaiensis are of the same genus. The ladyfish come from the family Elopidae-the tarpon, which all have very similar characteristics: long torpedolike bodies that are covered with silvery scales; and long, forked caudal tails. These powerful tarponlike fish can be found around the world,…

■ The stage is set for the 34th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament where the world’s best international deep sea anglers, representing 18 countries and 78 teams, get ready to test their skills August 1 to 9, 1992. Entries include Switzerland for the first time. Also, among these teams will be the 1992 HIBT defending champion, Lahaina Yacht Club, which came from behind in the closing hours of last year’s competition to win the HIBT with Bill Holt’s catch of a 672.5 lb marlin—the biggest fish of the tournament. In 1991, a total of 93 fish were caught, but even better, 57 were tagged and released. Tag and release should be more of a presence this year. The minimum weight of a marlin to be official has been raised from…

■ The tournament fishing season is upon us again, and whether you prefer to pursue the wily ulua from a cliff-top perch, or the majestic Pacific blue marlin from the fighting chair of a sportfishing machine, you should be thinking about conservation of your favorite sport fish. Many tournaments in Hawai‘i have already made some concessions to gamefish conservation. Those that have not are anachronisms; they are still operating in the dark ages of fishing when the number of fish on the dock was the most common measure by which any fishing competition was judged. Perhaps the most successful example of conservation orientation in tournament fishing is the big-money bass tournament circuit that spans the mainland United States and occasionally even reaches into Hawai‘i’s freshwater impoundments. Years ago, the bass…

■ Hawai‘i lost a rare individual when Colin Cameron, chairman and chief executive officer of Maui Land and Pineapple Company, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 65. Colin had long been a good friend of the ocean. The tragic loss of Colin came as a shock to all who knew him. Tributes poured forth from the community he was so much a part of-and rightfully so, for Colin was a very unique and special man. Colin’s reaction to the discovery of an ancient burial ground on land (Honokohua) slated to be developed into a luxury hotel is well-known. Many other developers would have struggled mightily against the will of the community to save that hotel location. Colin promptly agreed to protect the site. In 1987, Colin asked if I…

Hilo Trollers Second Tournament ■ The Hilo Trollers Second Tournament, scheduled for June 14, was postponed due to bad weather and rough seas. It was held a week later on June 21, and 27 teams entered the tournament. A total of two marlin, four ‘ahi, three ono and three mahimahi reached the scale. The weather report called for a few showers in the morning and trade winds blowing from 10 to 20 mph. The sea was a little bumpy, as reported by some of the captains. The color of the sea was a little green and the current was moving slightly toward the north, so the action wasn’t that good. Only 11 teams brought fish to the scale. The highlight of the tournament was the catch taken aboard the NAMAKAOKALANI.…

■ The Board of Land and Natural Resources has declared the opening of a new hunting area on the island of Maui to provide new hunting opportunities and to control feral pigs. Dogs will be permitted. This new hunting area is described as follows: Hunting Unit F: Those state-owned lands which lie west of Kohakuloa Stream to the Lahaina-Wailuku District boundary at Po’elua; and south (mauka) of the Kahekili Highway, extending into that portion of the West Maui Forest Reserve, mauka of the lower stated-owned lands. • Game mammals to be taken: wild pigs • Bag limit: Two (2) pigs of either sex per day per hunter • Hunting days: Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays • Hunting hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Hunting methods: Rifle-Maximum of two (2)…

JINEKJIJ Makes it Four for Four in ‘92 ■ Baron Bigler and his JINEKJIJ team continued their incredible winning streak by picking up the $450 total pound jackpot in the May 2nd Half & Half Tournament. The team’s 199 lbs of skipjack and barracuda was its fourth straight winning catch in four tournaments this year. But the $450 biggest fish jackpot went unclaimed and no President’s Cup points were awarded as none of the 10 boats entered was able to bring in a minimum qualifying fish. When the first Half & Half was announced two years ago, the idea was to encourage more boats to participate regularly in club competitions. Officials noted at the time that there were many boats which consistently brought in loads of tuna or wahoo but…

■ The recent Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) meetings came and went without much action taken. Items on the agenda included discussion on the future of the longline moratorium, which will expire in April of 1994. Although that seems to be a long time from now, a great deal needs to be done between now and then if permanent regulations that would prevent additional longliners from entering the fishery are to be implemented. A limited entry plan amendment to our Fishery Management Plan has to be developed and approved by the council as well as the Secretary of Commerce. However, there are those on the council and in the industry who would like to see more longliners allowed to fish in Hawai‘i’s pelagic fishery. The longliners currently in…

■ It’s a topsy-turvy world on Capitol Hill these days. In most cases, business as usual has gone out the window. But, while much of the stuff of politics has been turned on its head, grassroots activism still works. On May 13, following 18 months of lobbying by BOAT/U.S. and sustained letter-writing by thousands of boaters and anglers around the country, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 339 to 78 to repeal the controversial boat “user fee” tax. Leading the effort on the House floor were two Michigan congressmen, Reps. Bob Davis and Dave Bonior. Within hours of the House vote, the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-SC), introduced a similar repeal bill, S. 2702, which was later approved unanimously by his committee. The Hollings bill…

■ Sport fishermen around the world have quickly realized the value of the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite navigation system deployed by the U.S. government, at the cost of billions of dollars, to effectuate pinpoint navigation anywhere on earth. Many Hawai‘i fishermen have already gotten to know this new form of navigation; and, with the recent elimination of loran in Hawai‘i, GPS will quickly become popular here. Not too many years ago, GPS was the stuff of science fiction as far as most game fishermen were concerned, and until very recently it was well out of the price range of all but the wealthiest of offshore fishermen. Today, quality GPS units are available for less than $1,500. Sales volume and the miracle of modern electronics have brought the price of…

■ How would you like to buy a boat that was a guaranteed fish catcher? Doug Mallas and Brudda George work for Windward Boats, and in the process of preparing their boats for sale they often fish from them during sea trials. Doug has had really good luck and has brought mahimahi, ono and lots of aku back to the shop. Windward Boats owner Joe Adams looks forward to the fish even before they go out, and is ready with the shoyu and mustard when they return. Doug and George had a 19-footer to test, so they decided to go to the MM-buoy, check out the shibi and aku action, maybe catch some nice pupus for the table and shake down the new boat for a prospective customer. Doug put…