Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2008 i Hawaii Fishing News

▪ It was a Thursday afternoon, and D.J. Ojano had his truck packed for a weekend of fishing. D.J. and his girlfriend,“Tita,” met up with friends Josh Takeyesu, Ricardo Garza and Fredo Desha for some food shopping before heading out to their favorite fishing spot on the south side of the Big Island. The evening skies were clear and the gentle Big Island trade winds blew, making it ideal for some serious ulua fishing. Josh, Ricardo and Fredo were quick to set up their rods and cast their lines. D.J., tired from a long week of work, was contemplating getting some rest instead of fishing. Fredo was quick to provide D.J. with words of encouragement to get a line in the water. It worked. D.J. cast one pole, hooked on…

A Breath of Fresh Air ▪ At 4 a.m. it was time to rise and shine. The boat was on the bumper, and the gear was ready to be jetted off to the ocean. It had been several weeks since our all-girl crew had set out on the water for a day of scouting and a breath of fresh air. The Big Island vog was unusually heavy with lava spewing from Kilauea, and the clear air at the Puako Boat Ramp was a great reward for our early start. The early morning smells and quiet solitude complemented the natural beauty of the crystal ocean, making our outing even more enjoyable than we had anticipated. We spoke briefly with Mahuna from the local fish and wildlife department about the changes in…

▪ The 30th anniversary of the LYC Spring Wahine Fishing Tournament, held April 26 and 27, saw 14 teams participating in the two-day event. Of the 61 wahine that fished, 44 caught a flag fish. Sixty-nine fish were weighed, totaling 1,276 lbs. Two billfish were captured: one striped marlin at 43.6 lbs; and one spearfish at 33.2 lbs. Thirty-five mahimahi totaled 604.8 lbs, and 21 ono totaled 518.6 lbs. This year’s winner was Allison Silva with a 46.6-lb ono. Allison was fishing aboard the FOLLOW ME with Capt. Rail Jennings. She won free entry into this year’s Wahine Jackpot Fishing Tournament on October 25. Rail almost didn’t make it to sunup on Sunday morning. It was still dark when they left Kihei, heading south toward Makena. As the girls organized…

How We Got Here and Where We Go Next ▪ Last month, I was asked to speak to the Pearl City Lions Club about bottom fish. While I have a lot of experience talking to fishermen about bottom fish, I struggled to develop remarks for what would mostly be a non-fishing group. I thought about all of the things I would want to know if I was simply a member of the public, and not a NOAA Fisheries employee and fisherman. It seemed that the best place to start was with one of our stock assessment scientists at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. In the almost two-hour conversation that followed, I learned more than I could share in a 20-minute speech (though I tried). Given that NOAA Fisheries is…

The Hawai‘i 2006 summer class on marine fisheries and resources had lots of fun, hands-on experiences. Summer Opportunities for High School Students To Learn About Marine Fisheries and Resources ▪ Attention, all high school students. Are you passionate about the ocean and considering a marine-related career? If so, the High School Course on Marine Fisheries and Resources is something you won’t want to miss. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is offering this summer course in 2008 in Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). These short courses (one to three weeks, depending on location) include lectures, field trips and hands-on activities that provide a wide overview of marine-related jobs and knowledge of marine fisheries, resources and management. These courses are…

▪ Much mahalo to everyone who made the 2008 Inter-Pacific Championships in Hawai‘i a success. The hospitality and assistance from Hawai‘i’s participants, organizers, contributors and sponsors produced one of the best meets of its kind. Typically, the Inter Pacific is granted after applications are submitted to the international board. Organizers and volunteers, including Al Lagunte, Calvin Lai Sr., Bobby Abril, Tanya Beirne, Ken Lee and Lanette Canon, brought everyone together for a memorable experience on the Big Island. International teams began to arrive early to scout and acclimate to the Pacific Ocean and surrounding reef. Six teams from Tahiti, Guam, New Zealand, Australia, O‘ahu and Kona got ready to compete for the much-coveted title. Opening ceremonies featured a feast of Hawaiian cuisine including a roast pig and all the usual…

▪ I’ve always enjoyed reading various articles and stories in your magazine but have never had the opportunity to submit a story. Well, my son Eric Oto and I had an experience of a lifetime a couple of months ago and I’d like to share it with you. It happened on February 4, 2008, at about 3:30 in the afternoon. I had just dropped my brother-in-law Richard Oshiro off at the airport. He had come in on a business trip from California and had spent a couple of days with us before heading off to Maui. I called Eric and asked him if he wanted to do some afternoon fishing. He had caught a bunch of Marquesan sardines. He told me he had some fresh bait and had checked out…

Mr. Lindgard, Thank you very much for taking the time to give us your fishing tips. Up until then, we didn’t have a single catch, but the boys were having a “pretty good” time anyway. However, once you showed us how to catch fish, the kids had a great time and want to come back again next weekend. You may have generated some lifelong fishermen today. Attached is a photo of one of my sons, Austin, with his prize catch of the day. Thank you and aloha, Russell Yoshida P.S. I’ll be sure to catch your articles in HAWAII FISHING NEWS.…

▪ The albezia and guava trees stood tall over the North Fork of Lake Wilson. The water level was moderate, and the small stream trickling over the round rocks made a soft, gentle sound. Bert Napaepae was alone. He was picking his way across the cluster of round boulders so he could get to the other side of the stream to check his pig trap, which he had baited the other day. Just at the middle of the stream and in a small pond he suddenly noticed one of the submerged rocks move. He couldn’t believe it. It looked to be a huge turtle. He’d seen small turtles before, but this one was bigger than any he’d previously experienced. The turtle had also seen him and was making for the…

▪ A kid’s first fishing experience often involves a bobber, but bobber fishing isn’t just for kids. This month, we’ll look at ways you can use floats to catch fish of all kinds from small reef dwellers to big offshore game fish. We’ll start with the method we all began with as youngsters—a cane pole, bobber, small hook and tiny bait. Even if you aren’t a kid, you’ll want to know how to do this because the frisky little fellows you or your kids catch are steps up to bigger and tougher quarry. I’m using “cane pole” loosely. Real cane is cheap (though more expensive these days), but fiberglass extension poles are more convenient (easier to pack) and more fun (much more flexible). Our family collection ranges from 12-footers for…

‘Opihi Man Pounds Ban ▪ Senate Bill 6, introduced by senators Clayton Hee and Russell Kokubun, originally wanted to ban ‘opihi harvests for 15 years. ‘Opihi harvesters and seafood sellers made their case that ‘opihi is in short supply but the 1.25-inch minimum shell size limit is working. Brian Yamamoto of Yama’s Fish Market and Tamashiro Market told the Legislature that ‘opihi conservation is a better way than an outright ban. In 1970 state reports showed 16,000 lbs sold, while in 2007 about 8,100 lbs were harvested. The harvest numbers are highly suspected to be on the low side because ‘opihi gatherers are not known to be judicious record keepers. Gov. Lingle vetoed a permanent ‘opihi ban last year, saying that it would be impossible to enforce and would create…

▪ The reports are sizing up nicely. The Big Island’s brave Dan Roudebush pulled up a massive 60-plus-lb ulua and a rare lancet fish at South Point to carry him into the top 10. Clint Hinahara landed a 26-lb mahimahi on O‘ahu to move up in the standings. The tandem team of Kevin and Gareth Uyeda pulled up another ono, this one weighing 30 lbs. Aquahunters Craig Colburn and Syd Kinimaka pulled up cane knife-sized mahimahi on a North Shore run to add to their point totals. The big battle has been up front. Dave “Boogie D” Elgas and I, Isaac “Rocket” Brumaghim, have been vying for the point lead. Being friends and pro staff anglers, we are entrenched in a “can you top this?” catching frenzy. Boogie pulled up…

▪ On March 15, HIFC Kona Free Dive Club sponsored a three-prong competition at Kaloko Pond. The weather was not cooperative, and visibility was poor. The reef held only little fish that day (someone must have tipped them off). Families gathered on the beach, and competitors set off on their adventures. Using only a three-prong and taking a limited amount of fish made it challenging! It was like spearing with family: everyone wanted to get the winning stringer, but everyone wanted the best for each other, also. It was all about having fun and making new friends. While “spearos” played around the reef, the Lai ‘Ohana prepared ‘ono food and barbecued meat for everyone. The free-dive club is really growing with more than 60 applications so far. We encourage everyone…

Father and Son of the Month ▪ The month was a great one for family fishing at Ho‘omaluhia. The spawn seemed to be over, and the fish were voracious in trying to make up for weight lost during the past nesting season. One female smallmouth bass was right back where she has been for the past three years—just a few feet from the bank. The red-breasted tilapia have grown much larger. Jason Yoshimi and his son Jay were catching them very nicely. I was very impressed with the care and caution the two of them exhibited in returning the fish to the water—truly in the spirit of catch and release. These two earned the honor of being named the father and son of the month. Not Knots Again? One of…

▪ Kids, load up your gear! The Pacific Islands Fisheries Group (PIFG) and Izuo Brothers are looking for keiki ta‘ape hunters. Ta‘ape, or blue-lined snapper, were introduced from the Marquesas Islands to waters around O‘ahu in the 1950s by the state in efforts to develop local fisheries. Since then, ta‘ape have proliferated throughout the Hawaiian island chain and are thought to be one of the important factors resulting in the decline of several local species. For many fishermen, ta‘ape is public enemy number one! With 2008 being the International Year of the Coral Reef, PIFG and Izuo Brothers have partnered to educate people about ta‘ape by hosting the 2008 Ta‘ape Keiki Fishing Challenge.Participation is free for kids 4 to 17 years of age! The goal of this event is to…

▪ Aloha from the Friendly Isle of Moloka‘i. Yee haw, the fish have finally arrived! At least they were around during the past month. Everyone trolling anywhere near the Penguin Banks scored mahimahi and ono. I heard about numerous boats from Honolulu fishing the west side of the Banks and loading up with good hauls of mahimahi. Off Moloka‘i, even the boats that don’t normally catch fish were landing fish. Even some flat- bottomed boats heading out for a diving session along the reef came back with ono. The fish were biting anything and everything that passed in front of them, so it was just a matter of putting in the time on the water to find some fish. I was able to spend a half-day with my daughter, who…

Middle School English Teacher, Hawaii Preparatory Academy Mail Buoy ▪ Twelve 8th-grade boys, four boats, an open ocean, and the hope of catching a fish baited our enthusiasm as we launched into Theme Week. Every year Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy’s middle-school students take a week break from their academics to explore adventures on and off the Big Island. We call this very special opportunity “Theme Week.” Fishing and gyotaku printing were my offerings for the middle-schoolers. Four experienced Big Island captains generously gave of their time, expertise, patience and boats to provide this amazing opportunity for 12 very excited 8th-grade boys. Our good friend Naoki Hayashi agreed to take time off from his hectic business to fish and share his gifts of gyotaku with us. The adventure began at Honokohau…

▪ After the first day of the 29th Senoritas Fishing Tournament weigh-in, I attended a social gathering of the crews and the captains participating in the tournament. There I heard a story about a baby humpback whale calf entangled in a rope and other ocean debris. The story was told by a crewmember and a fisherwoman who were aboard the KUU-HUAPALA during a chartered fishing trip the day before, approximately 28 miles southwest of O‘ahu. They described how they were fishing when they spotted a mother humpback whale closely attending her calf that was struggling to free itself from an entanglement of rope with some type of buoy attached to it. They explained how they contacted the U.S. Coast Guard to advise them of their observation. They abandoned their paid…

▪ No, that’s not a worm sticking out of that bottom fish! If you see one, it’s probably a spaghetti tag put there as part of the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group’s bottomfish research project. In January 2007, the PIFG received a grant to implement a very important deep-sea bottomfish tag-and-release research project. The goal of this project is to tag and release bottom fish caught throughout the Hawaiian islands from the Big Island all the way throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The project is hoping to gather critical movement and growth data on the “Deep Seven” bottomfish species that include onaga, ehu, ‘opakapaka, kalekale, hapu‘upu‘u, gindai and lehi. Never before in Hawai‘i has an independent bottomfish tagging project of this scale been implemented through the cooperative effort of a non-profit…

It’s a Gas Attack! ▪ It was my intent to write an apolitical column this month, instead focusing on gas and oil, the good stuff that keeps our boats running and our reels turning and makes us all really happy. Of course, a quick recap of ethanol’s flaws is in order along with some interesting tidbits about the future of energy. Unfortunately, it would be impossible for me to address this topic without mentioning the rantings of “the Bad News Bears,” a.k.a. the politicians and their environmentalist friends. It’s strange how these groups seem to deliver only bad news. On the flip side, chemistry, science and engineering have consistently provided us with good news, delivering every mechanical, agricultural and disease-fighting tool in mankind’s arsenal. These disciplines, not the rantings of…

Send to: P.O. Box 25488, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96825 or e-mail: <fishnews@hawaii.rr.com> Aloha Chuck, My cousin, Wayne Yamamoto, came to the Big Island in April to do some serious fishing with me. Our love for fishing began when we were young kids. It was fun reminiscing about the “good old days” fishing and bringing home the catch. Wayne is originally from Waipahu, O‘ahu and he currently resides in Kunitachi, Tokyo, Japan. Wayne has fished all over the world and is an accomplished fisherman. His knowledge about how and when to catch the different species of fish is amazing. If I could, I would “talk story” with Wayne for hours. Our fishing adventure began on Thursday afternoon trolling in Hilo Bay just outside the breakwater with no catches in our ice chest.…

▪ The weather outlook in Hawaiian waters for June is good except for gusty trade winds and higher-than-normal southerly waves and surf. It is unlikely that strong Kona winds, thunderstorms and heavy rain will occur. Although it is possible for a tropical storm to appear in Hawai‘i waters as the warmer months approach, the odds are against it. Gusty trades have made their presence felt since March and are expected to continue in June. With trades on almost all the days of the month, gusty trades are expected on 5 to 10 days. Their occurrence may be more frequent if this pattern for stronger trades persists into June. Although refreshing for their air conditioning effect on land, surface water conditions, especially in the major channels between islands open to the…