• 
  
• HOME PAGE
• Maui fishing F.A.Q.
• Charter boats
• Making reservations
• Contact Mike
• Bottom fishing
• Shore fishing
• T-shirts and stuff
• 
• More
  • Who IS this Guy?
  • Fish Recipes
  • Fishing Slideshow
  • Local Links
  • JCMA ... aka "legalese"

Bottom fishing off Maui, Hawaii

Maui charter boats which offer bottom fishing trips do what's known a "Shallow water" bottom fishing. This is done by drifting in 60-180 feet of water with either spinning or small open face reels using bait, usually squid strips. They catch smaller varieties of reef fish such as ta'ape, nabeta, ehu, aweoweo, barracuda, moi'lua, goat fish, trigger fish, shark, gray snapper, and trevally. Most of the fish are under 5lbs., but anglers do get lucky and ocassionally land much larger fish. Many of the fish are considered good eating.

...Ya just don't know WHAT'S going to bite down there!!

On a Side Note:

There are no halibut, rock cod, calico bass, sheephead, red fish, drum, yellow tail, jew fish, or giant grouper here (oh yeah, I get folks asking me about the halibut season in Hawaii), nor is there any wreck or artificial reef bottom fishing.

Deep water bottom fishing is done at anchor in 500-900 feet of water. Obviously, this is not done with a rod and reel! This is strictly a commercial style of fishing. It is accomplished using hydraulic or very large electric pullers. The boats that do this go out for 3-5 days. Some trips, they do very well. Other trips, all they get is a wet ass, cold smelly hands, sleepless nights, and an near empty fish box! I know I did it for a while. Unless you know someone here that fishes this way, you won't be doing this on your vacation. These vessels catch deep water snappers, such as onaga (red) and opakapaka (pink), as well as hapu'u pu'u (butter fish) and other, lesser known species. You can, however, enjoy eating some of these delicate white fish at the better seafood restaurants, like the Waterfront Restaurant (my personal favorite) or Mama's Fish House. ...and NEVER turn down Onaga if one of the better restaurants offers it!!

Maui bottomfishing boats

Strike Zone
(43' Delta out of Maalaea harbor)
6 hour morning bottom fishing on Mon., Wed., Fri., and Sat..
$168 per adult angler / $148 kids ages 12 and under / $75.00 per rider or share pole.
Up to 15 anglers max.
Includes all bait & tackle, expert instruction and a light lunch
(deli sandwich; chips; soft drinks & water). BYO Beer. No glass please.
0630 hrs. departure.

Marjorie Ann
(25' Farallon out of Maalaea harbor)
4 hour morning bottom fishing. 7 days a week
$699 private /$139 per person share rate).
Bait, tackle, snacks, and the personal attention of the experienced crew are provided.
0730 hrs. departure.

Hokua
(40' catamaran out of Maalaea harbor)
4 hour afternoon bottom fishing.
$128 per adult angler/ $99 children ages 12 and under / $50.00 per rider or share pole.
Up to 10 anglers max.
Includes: All bait & tackle, expert instruction and a light snacks.
1230 hrs. departure.

Ho'okela
(35 foot Hatteras out of Lahaina harbor)
3 hour private sunset bottom fishing trips.
$425 + tax. Private trips only
Includes all bait & tackle, expert instruction. 1630 hrs. departure.
Not a standard charter. Available only at the owner's discretion.
Please email for details.