Kona Hawaii Charter Fishing

 

What We Fish For

 

Blue Marlin

The Blue Marlin is a powerful, aggressive fighter, they run hard and long, sound deep, and leap high into the air in a seemingly inexhaustible display of strength. Fishing methods include trolling large whole baits such as bonito, dolphin, mullet, mackerel, bonefish, ballyhoo, flying fish and squid as well as various types of artificial lures and sometimes strip baits.

 

Striped Marlin

The Striped Marlin is well known for its fighting ability and has the reputation of spending more time in the air than in the water after it is hooked. In addition to long runs and tail walks, it will “greyhound” across the surface, making up to a dozen or more long, graceful leaps. It can be caught fairly close to shore, and lacking the size and weight of the blue marlin or the black marlin, it is more acrobatically inclined. Fishing methods include trolling whole fish, strip baits, or lures; also live bait fishing.

 

Short Billed Spearfish

Short Billed Spearfish are pelagic, off shore, deep water fishes. They feed at or near the surface, mainly on small and medium sized fishes and squids, including dolphin, sauries, flying fish, needlefish and pilot fish. They appear to be available all year in small numbers. Fishing methods are the same as for other billfish, but with lighter tackle.

 

Directions to the Harbor

Please arrive at departure time. We will be setting the boat up, so if you do happen to come early please wait in the parking lot. We are located in HONOKOHAU HARBOR- 74-380 Kealakehe Parkway. Go through the stop lights as you enter the harbor (with Honokohau Harbor sign on your left) then make your first right before the McDonald’s looking building. Keep going until you can make your next left by all the boat trailers. Look for large public restroom building, and we are across the street. We are located on B dock right next to the last small boat ramp, you will see a sign for Benchmark and Grander Marlin. Please call the day before for better directions, or if you have any trouble finding us – ‭(732) 241-5791‬. Grander Marlin Sportfishing departs from Honokohau Marina Slip #B-01. Our Boat – Merritt’s 37 Footers

About Our Boat

Buddy Merritt was an avid fisherman and built what he perceived to be the perfect fishing boat. The first of his 37-footers were totally lacking the luxuries taken for granted today. They were built for one purpose: to raise and catch fish. There were 13 of these famed 37-footers built in total, and 12 survive to this day. One was lost to a fire caused by stray fireworks while the boat was out of the water in a boat yard.

Our vessel is Hull #5, originally named Windsong, and built in 1959 for Tore Hembe. In later years she was known as Barbara Jo, Caracal, Compass Rose, Cheetah, Mistress, Thunder, Sportin’ Life, Sassy Lady and Old Lady. In November 2005 she was sold and moved from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Stuart, Florida to undergo a complete restoration by game fisherman in Virginia Beach and was renamed “Friendship”. She was then purchased by us and renamed again as “BENCHMARK” and moved to Western Samoa where she fished for several years. She then traveled to Fiji and now is in Kona, Hawaii which is where she will stay – combing the flat calm Kona seas.