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A December Trip for the Books

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A December for the books and the Dawson Family! Rob Dawson wanted to take his family out fishing here in Kona Hawaii. This is not a new phenomenon for Rob. Rob has been fishing in Kona for many years and actually has crewed aboard Fire Hatt in the past. Their hopes were to get his daughter and son on a fish. As it turns out all family members got a turn on the rod. Along with his daughter Christina Dawson and Jon Gill, His Son Cole Dawson and Alannah Chalmers, the family had no idea what was in store for them!

First thing out of the harbor mouth as the crew finished putting out lines, we are hooked up! Jon Gill, his Son in Law was battling a blue marlin. After a fierce five minute fight, the fish was off. the crew put the lines back out and within an hour we are bit again. This time Alannah Chalmers was in the chair. She fought her fish for a short 15 minutes and boated her first Shortbill Spearfish estimated at 50 pounds! Her largest fish ever!

Now with lines back in the water Captain Chuck heads off shore and down the coast to the tune of two more mystery bites and finally Wham! Hooked up again! A double Stripe Marlin bite! Both of Robs children, Christina and Cole are on the rods. Christina’s fish was brought in first and then Coles was successfully released. You can only imagine at this point how ecstatic everyone was.

Next up we spotted a porpoise school and marked several big Ahi. After working the school for about an hour and a half, no bites. We moved off. Then we turned back up the coast headed to the harbor…. BOOM! A big short corner bite! Rob is in the chair. Being no stranger to fighting big fish, Rob brought the Blue Marlin to the boat and we released an estimated 250 pound fish in just under 20 minutes!

Three Strikes

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Three Strikes, three releases aboard Fire Hatt for former Major League Baseball player Billy Beane featured in the movie Moneyball and his son Brayden along with future son in law Jake. One Blue Marlin release and two Shortbill Spearfish releases. All before noon! The fish are here! #fishinginkona #charterfishingkona #AFTCO

The Shortbill Spearfish

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Peter Baio's Shortbill Spearfish May 2011

The Shortbill Spearfish, Tetrapturus angustirostris, is a species of marlin native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with occasional records from the Atlantic Ocean. This species occurs in open waters not far from the surface. This species can reach a length of 230 cm (91 in), though most do not exceed 190 cm (75 in). The maximum recorded weight for this species is 52 kg (115 lb). It is of minor importance to commercial fisheries and is also a game fish.

Although spearfish live in many oceans, they are not abundant anywhere, and rarely caught anywhere except Hawaii and the Mediterranean. Shortbill spearfish live in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Mediterranean spearfish live only in the Mediterranean. Roundscale spearfish live in the eastern Atlantic and the western Mediterranean, around Portugal and Spain, and closely resemble white marlin. Longbill spearfish live in the northwest, central and south Atlantic.

Spearfish are surface feeders, eating other small or medium fish and squid. They mature at two years old, and rarely live past three years old. The maximum age may be up to five years. Spearfish are not caught as gamefish in most parts of the world as their numbers are too low and being reduced by accidental bycatch. Most spearfish kill is incidental. They are caught by “sport” fisherman targeting other billfish, by commercial longliners fishing for tuna, and by troll fishers.

Featured in the top photo is Elaine and Johnny Vaughn from Huntington Beach, CA with Elaine’s Shortbill Spearfish caught here in Kona Hawaii

Featured in Lower photo is a prime species Shortbill Spearfish sucessfully released here in Kona Hawaii by First Mate Brett Lazenby aboard Fire Hatt.

The Shortbill Spearfish

Six Species in Two Days for Joe Gunja aboard Fire Hatt

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https://www.dropbox.com/preview/Joe%20Gunja%20Marlin%20Nov%202017/Video%20Nov%2020%2C%2011%2000%2024%20AM.mov

Six Species in Two Days for Joe Gunja aboard Fire Hatt.  Now and then a person enters your life and it is almost as if they were sent for a reason.  Joe Gunja called me and we discussed a two day fishing Charter on FIRE HATT, fishing for Blue Marlin in Kona Hawaii in November 2017.  A little history on our adventure, Joe is from Springfield Missouri.  I was born in Harrisonville about 90 miles away about the same time.  Joe is a retired high ranking Federal Bureau of Prisons Regional Supervisor, effectively making him the second in Command, supervising over 20 Wardens. Myself as a retired Chief Officer in the Fire Department we both had a lot of stories to share on our Public Service times and experiences.

Joe had fished many of the Lakes and rivers I had as a youth and he updated me on the new (40 year old) Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir that is in the middle of the Southern Missouri Fishing and Hunting Region.   Joe’s wife passed away suddenly this past year with no previous illnesses and he himself had suffered Leukemia and is now in remission.  Joe is a former Army Military Policemen and then rose through the ranks of the Federal Prison System including being the Warden at three prisons.  While a disciplined and structured Man, Joe has a love for adventure and fishing.

Joe, my backup Captain Joe Schumaker and I set out and started combing the waters off Kona Hawaii and shortly later caught a 40 pound Shortbilled Spearfish, a rare species World Wide and only found in the waters of the Central Pacific.  Many Anglers throughout the World come to Kona to try to capture this rarest of Billfish as they had caught most of the other Billfish Species that lived in their Ocean waters.  This turned out to be just openers as over the next two days Joe caught six different species of Gamefish that reside here in Kona Hawaii.  Finishing off our first day adventure was a 20 pound Skip Jack and later a 15 pound Barracuda.

Day two began with an early morning bite with the first species being an Ono, also called “Wahoo”, followed by a small Mahi Mahi and then came the Big Pacific Blue Marlin.  Estimated at 300 pounds while being released, it was by far Joe’s biggest fish of his life, so far.   Attached are some glimpses of the Blue Marlin as we hooked up brought it to the FIRE HATT.

Joe Gunja and I have become solid friends and we will share many more of these adventures as time goes by.  Thanks Joe for coming out to fish FIRE HATT in Kona Hawaii!

Fire Hatt is a proud member of the AFTCO  Pro Fishing Team.  You can go to AFTCO.com and AFTCO Logo 2read their amazing story.

Hawaiian Style Fishing at its Finest!

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Hawaiian style fishing at its finest!

The 30th Firecracker Open Big Game Tournament kicked off the 2017 Tournament Season.  It was an intense two days of Tournament Fishing aboard Fire Hatt!  There were many hook ups both days and three boated Blue Marlin.

Jody Bright, the tournament director”s comment today: “Krista O” with Capt. Mike O’Shiro, Darren Hayashi and David Magallanes have won the 30th Firecracker Open Big Game Fishing Tournament – in a 17 foot boat – with a 533 pound blue marlin. It’s “OFFICIAL”.

Some of the finest, funniest, local characters competing against some of the biggest names and war wagons in the game. In true Kona Style, we all celebrate your win – a hui hou!

Fire Hatt had a Spearfish release on day one by Charles DiBona, and a Blue Marlin release estimated at 175 pounds in just under 15 minutes on day two by Jeff Curry. We had two other awesome marlin strikes that did not stick.  Last year during this tournament, Charles DiBona tagged and released his first Marlin, this year, Jeff Curry tagged and released his first Marlin.   Our crew, Captains Chuck Wilson, Joe Schumaker and Jack Leverone are awesome! Chuck and I are looking forward to the next event.  Check out the Kona Tournament Schedule here at konatournaments.com

#FireHattSportfishing #CharterFishingInKonaHawaii #HawaiianStyle

Fire Hatt is a proud member of the AFTCO  Pro Fishing Team.  You can go to AFTCO.com and AFTCO Logo 2read their amazing story.

Hawaiian Style Fishing at its Finest!

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Hawaiian style fishing at its finest!  The 30th Firecracker Open Big Game Tournament kicked off the 2017 Tournament Season.  It was an intense two days of Tournament Fishing aboard Fire Hatt!  There were many hook ups both days and three boated Blue Marlin.

Jody Bright, the tournament director”s comment today: “Krista O” with Capt. Mike O’Shiro, Darren Hayashi and David Magallanes have won the 30th Firecracker Open Big Game Fishing Tournament – in a 17 foot boat – with a 533 pound blue marlin. It’s “OFFICIAL”.

Some of the finest, funniest, local characters competing against some of the biggest names and war wagons in the game. In true Kona Style, we all celebrate your win – a hui hou!

Fire Hatt had a Spearfish release on day one by Charles DiBona, and a Blue Marlin release estimated at 175 pounds in just under 15 minutes on day two by Jeff Curry. We had two other awesome marlin strikes that did not stick.  Last year during this tournament, Charles DiBona tagged and released his first Marlin, this year, Jeff Curry tagged and released his first Marlin.   Our crew, Captains Chuck Wilson, Joe Schumaker and Jack Leverone are awesome! Chuck and I are looking forward to the next event.  Check out the Kona Tournament Schedule here at konatournaments.com

#FireHattSportfishing #CharterFishingInKonaHawaii #HawaiianStyle

Fire Hatt is a proud member of the AFTCO  Pro Fishing Team.  You can go to AFTCO.com and AFTCO Logo 2read their amazing story.

A Break From Alaska

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Monica and James Lavell with their 40 pound Short Bill Spearfish

A break from Alaska finds this charming couple their largest fish ever!  James and Monica Lavell were on a delayed Honeymoon here in Kona Hawaii.  It was their first trip to the Islands.  The couple live in Eagle River, AK where James is a Operating Room Nurse and Monica is an ICU Nurse.  While charter fishing in Kona Hawaii aboard Fire Hatt, they were hoping to catch anything!  That anything turned out to be a  nice 40 pound Short Bill Spearfish!   James said “It all happened so fast!”  Captains Joe Schumaker and Brian Schumaker had James swiftly  in the chair and fighting the fish in a matter of seconds.  With Monica cheering him on, he brought the Spearfish to the boat in just under 15 minutes.  Fishing in Kona Hawaii was sure to hold a lot memories for this couple.  Hope to see them again on another break from Alaska and have Monica get her biggest fish too!

SHORTBILL SPEARFISH (HEBI)

Hawaii Market Name: Hebi
Scientific Name: Tetrapturus angustirostris
Hawaiian Name: A`u
Japanese Name: Fuuraikajiki

Shortbill spearfish are commonly known as Hebi in Hawaii. Its dorsal fin is shorter than that of other billfish species, and its bill is very short in comparison. Hebi caught in Hawaiian waters are usually between 20 and 40 pounds in weight.

Hebi has white to pink colored flesh that is somewhat softer than that of Nairagi or Kajiki. Its flavor is mild (although more pronounced than ahi). It is one of several species of billfish, which are suitable for grilled or broiled “catch of the day” menu items in restaurants.

Fire Hatt is a proud member of the AFTCO  Pro Fishing Team.  You can go to AFTCO.com and AFTCO Logo 2read their amazing story.

Christmas Day Luck

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Christmas Day Spearfish 2015 1

Christmas Day Luck aboard Fire Hatt with our crew of Brett Lazenby from Kona and Rob Dawson from Kamloops, BC  brings a day of good fishing action to Scott Watts from Oahu.  The day started out with a triple hookup on Mahi Mahi with two of them escaping and Scott landing one.  The Mahi ranged from 15 to 18 pounds.  A short time later we headed to OTEC Buoy and hooked a nice 30+ pound Short Bill Spearfish.  Scott Watts landed the trophy in a matter of minutes.

 

Featured in the photo is Scott Watts with his 30+ pound Shortbill Spearfish

 

 

Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO  Pro Fishing Team.  You can go to AFTCO.com and AFTCO Logo 2read their amazing story.

Banner Day Aboard Fire Hatt for Hank and Jinx

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Hank and Jinx 46 lb Mahi Mahi Kona HawaiiBanner Day Aboard Fire Hatt for Hank and Jinx!  This is the third year Hank and Jinx have spent fishing in Kona Hawaii with us.  Every year the stakes get a little higher, actually a lot higher!  I don’t know what it is about these two, but they are fishy….this year Hank brought in our largest Mahi Mahi to date, a whopping 46 pounds.  That is considered a nice one for these waters.  As you can see in the photo it looks like we had assigned uniforms, it was just by luck that we arrived wearing what turned out to be a winning combination.  With that in mind, Hank and Jinx hand washed the lucky garments and wore them again the following day….gotta tell you, the luck was there!  On day one we had the Mahi along with a Blue Marlin Release, day two produced the nice Shortbill Spearfish  for Jinx while the 150 pound Yellowfin Tuna came on the last day with Hank on the rod. We are looking forward to your visit next June and landing the elusive Ono!

We love starting out each day with the greeting of Hi Hank, Hi Jinx!

 

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Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team.  You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.

Awesome Spring Break for Corbin Kinder

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DSCN0136Awesome Spring Break for Corbin Kinder and his Dad, David from Houston, Texas.  I start the story with Corbin and his Dad because it was an all Corbin day.  As we headed straight out of the harbor to the 1000 fathom line things got busy right away.  Just after the chair talk, the short rigger line came down screaming off line.  We are Hooked Up!  Corbin gets into the chair and the fight begins.  Corbin brings in what turns out to be his first fish of the day.  A nice 45 pound Shortbill Spearfish!  While the deck is being cleared and lines go back out, we are still taking photos of the Spearfish when another line comes down.  Hooked Up again!  This time it’s a nice blue bullet on the stinger and line  is screaming off as Corbin is back in the chair fighting what turns out to be an impressive 30+ pound Mahi Mahi!  The stamina this young angler has is phenomenal.  An hour goes by and things have settled down.  The crew today,  Captain Joe Schumaker and First Mate Brett Lazenby are feeling quite proud of the activity so far when they get another strike, the stinger is bit again.  Assuming that his Dad, David would bring this fish in was so wrong!  Corbin jumped in and brought the fish to the boat, another Shortbill Spearfish!  These are the days you dream of especially when you have young ones with you.  We love having children on board and try our best to get something for them to pull on.  This day will not be forgotten by Corbin and his Dad any time soon.

Corbin has enjoyed fishing since he was 4 years old.  Each year his Dad tries to take him to a different spot to fish.  From offshore trips in Louisiana and Texas to the Caribbean and Central America he has caught Red Fish, Flounder, Barracuda and others.  His Mahi Mahi he caught in Kona Hawaii aboard Fire Hatt was the biggest he has ever caught.  He also enjoys fresh water bass fishing on our farm.   Corbin has great patience in fishing and gets the “fishing bug” from his grandfather and great grandfather. 

We hope to see you guys again.

Featured in the top photo is First Mate Brett Lazenby with David and Corbin Kinder

Featured in the lower photo is David and Corbin Kinder from Houston, Texas

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Fire Hatt is a member of the AFTCO Pro Fishing Team.  You can go to AFTCO.com and read their amazing story.