Fish Aggregation Devices (FADS)
a.k.a. “Buoys”

Wikipedia defines a fish aggregating (or aggregation) device (FAD) as a man-made object used to attract ocean going pelagic fish such as marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi (dolphin fish).

It has long been known that pelagic fishes will aggregate to floating objects like logs, nets, and other debris. However, these objects drift around and may only be occasionally encountered by lucky fishermen.

Researchers have found that anchoring a buoy or platform in the open ocean will also attract and hold pelagic fishes, although whether the fish are attracted to the anchored FADs for the same reasons they associate with natural drifting objects is not yet known.

FAD's usually consist of buoys or floats tethered to the ocean floor with concrete blocks.

This is a typical surface FAD found in Hawaiian waters. This is a typical sub-surface FAD found in Hawaiian waters. This is another type. It's actually a weather reporting buoy and it's funded by NOAA. They also attract fish and often produce more fish than the State funded FADs. That's a function of location.

The weather buoys tend to be located in areas that are farther away from the harbors, and often those areas experience rougher sea conditions. However, for anglers who are willing to tough out earlier departure times and the 'not-so-calm' water, the reward is often a fishing trip of a lifetime (see the nice haul below).

There's only two boats on Maui that offer this 'adventure'!
If this sounds like it's your type of fishing email me.