goose1

Heading to Maui, Hawaii in late April and wanted to see if someone could recommend a good charter for some offshore or inshore fishing. Will be staying at the Sheraton Maui Resort for the duration of our stay. Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

jillybird

Be aware that many, if not most of the captains in Hawaii will kill the marlin they catch and sell the marlin. If you like to release marlin and other billfish -- like spearfish-- be sure to have an understanding with the captain when you are booking the trip as to what's going to happen to the fish. I personally find it despicable to kill a marlin or a spearfish unless it's a big tournament and you are in the running to win. In Hawaii, the charter boats kill marlin daily. Now there are lots of blue marlin in Hawaiian waters and marlin is a traditional Hawaiian fish food, but the economic value of a released marlin is about a zillion times greater than a dead one sold for food. Plus, they don't taste real good. Just something to think about before you go fight the most spectacular gamefish in the ocean.

Mud Runner

You'll have two harbors to fish from. The Sheraton is north of Lahaina which is the closest one to the hotel. A couple of the boats that have been there a while are Finest Kind, Start Me Up and Hinatea Sport. Rascal fishes out of Maalaea Harbor further south. Maalaea is also next to the aquarium. I would stick to Lahaina. In Lahaina, the Maui Theater has a great local musical, "Ulalena". My wife and I loved it. In addition, if you plan to do the "Road to Hana", plan on a full day and rent a Jeep so you can do the full drive around the volcano Haleakala. Regular vehicles are not allowed around the back of the volcano. One of the things we really enjoyed was zip lining the eucalyptus forest. If you snorkel, you can rent masks and stuff you need. There's a great spot you can drive to and you don't have to pay for a boat to take you there. it at 7066-7132 Makena Road, Kihei. Just drive up and wade in. Have a great time. There's plenty to do there.

FishLife

Hawaii Fishing

Hawaii (Lanai/Maui) Charter Recommendation

Hawaii Fishing

There are plenty more, just use the search.

Done the Maui thing a couple of times and not impressed with the fleet and fishing there. Also, you probably won't get to keep what you catch because the mates will sell the fish. If you do decide to stay around Maui and fish, know up front what the plan is for the catch, especially if you're wanting to keep something to prepare fresh.

My recommendation is to hop over to Kona for a day. Captain Russ Nitta and his boat the Lepika. Kona Fishing Charter Rates and Reservations

goose1

jillybird I totally agree with you on not wanting to kill a Marlin and will definitely make that clear if / when I book a trip. Thanks for the heads up.

goose1

Lono Ono
Will look into this option. Thanks for your input.

goose1

Mud Runner
Really appreciate your in dept response and will definitely look into your recommendations. Really like the aquarium option as well.

goose1

FishLife

Thanks for your recommendation I'm going to reach out to Captain Nitta and see what all's involved with hoping over to Kona and fishing with him for a day.

CC driver

Not fishing related, but the Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina has terrific burgers. Enjoy your trip!

goose1

Lone Ono,

Do you have any idea what the cost would be to fly to Molokai and back to Maui? Just trying to see if it fits in my budget. Thanks.

goose1

CC driver,
Will put that on the to do list. Thanks.

hoverducky

I fish leeward Maui (private boat) most years mid-to-late April. The fishing is usually crap. Doesn't keep me from continuing to do it, but we've gone weeks without bites, and when we get them they are usually ono, sometimes mahimahi. I tell myself it is still the best bar in town.

Yeah, the charters will tend to go further and do better, but still. I don't know where all the kawakawa have gone. We used to do pretty well for those. Come to think of it, malolo have been scarce the last few years too.

I'm ranging pretty far afield here, but the more I think about it the more I think I should grab a flight to Molokai this year...

Also, a friend took a rental Mustang all the way around the island (to Hana on the north road, from Hana on the south road) in July 2017. The south road used to be bad, but is no longer.

Dockside69

I have a timeshare just North of Lahaina. Any time of year the fishing is just scratch. I ran into some locals fishing from shore with long rods, heavyweights, and some kinda local bait. They'd do a helicopter cast past the end of the reef, and fight local jacks on 9' rods. Seeing two bites a day was good fishing.
The road to Hana is a must do. You can buy an audio guide and follow it as you go. After the airport, you pass Momma"s Fish House, then come to the surfer area with big waves. Soon after you change climate to a tropical rain forest. The road is very narrow and twisty. Passing Hana, you come to the 7 falls. Then the climate changes from the lush tropical rain forest, to dry dead desert. It crosses washes and ends up in farm country on the leeward side of the volcano, but 40 miles closer to Lahaina than going back toward the airport. It's a long trip, so pack lunch and snacks. Fish is cheap in the grocery market, and I always buy some and cook my own dinners,
The #1 attraction on Maui is the beaches. It's a beautiful island, so enjoy your trip. Just don't expect much out of fishing there.

cuzn dave

Good info.
Also- Iao valley and the flea market in Kahului are very good stops. Cheap and overlooked. There's a culture center on the road to the valley if i remember correctly.
Paia Fish Market is a good lunch spot and Momma's is a very good dinner spot.
Don't overlook the deli counters in the supamarkets, either!
If you want tourist type souvenirs, or chocolate get them at big drugstores, like Walls, maybe?

PursuitJoe

Dockside69

From Lahaina, going NW, turn left onto Lower Honoapiilani Rd. The Kaanapali Beach club is on the left. About 1/4 mile on the right. Honokowai Okazuya & Deli, 3600 Lower Honoapiilani Rd Ste D, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761-8985
It's owned and operated by a former top Island chef. Great meals at inexpensive prices. There are only a couple bar stools inside and two small patio tables outside. I often picked up and took it back to my nearby hotel. Some locals turned me on to it.

Snorkeling at Black Rock is great. Buy a bag of frozen peas and watch the plentiful fish go nuts.