Fishing FAQ's

View and Read up on our Fleet of Offered Boats and their individual profiles that range in size from 20’ to 63’.

Click on “Book Now” or click on a “Shared Trip” Boat from the scheduled list of Shared Fishing Trips, which is located on each of the individual Island pages within the website and as a drop down selection from the main header menu. When you make your booking, you will need to provide us with your full name, phone # and Email and answer a few brief trip related questions like # of people, boat size, date etc… All of our HMF Charter Boats are connected to our network IN REAL TIME through a Mobile Smart Application, emails and cell phone communications. All shared and charter fishing trips are on a request basis and are ONLY CONFIRMED when you receive your electronic email PDF confirmation from HMF. The electronic confirmation PDF will be sent to you in a separate email only when your boat has been confirmed, crew booked and your trip reservation deposit charged. If we can not book your requested charter boat, we will contact you via email and call you with alternative boats or dates that are available. A Trip Reservation is NEVER charged until the captain first confirms the trip.

Your fishing will include: use of rods, reels, bait and/or lures. You do not need a fishing license for any sport-fishing charters in Hawaii. Generally, food and drinks are not included or provided by he boats. If you would like to bring your own food to eat on the boat this is always acceptable or you can order all of your food and drinks through the HMF site and we will deliver it to the boat for you.

Absolutely not! There are no fees to book online or call one of our Hawaii Marlin Fishing specialists. Because of the large number of charter trips that HMF provides to our member boats, our rates are guaranteed to be the same and many instances our rates are less than you would/ could receive by booking directly with any of our partner boats.

HMF provides Shared and Exclusive Fishing Trips on more than 60+ charter boats on the Hawaiian Islands that range in size from 20’ to 63’ in Length.

Unfortunately, they’re not. Even with 60+ boats in our fleet, our inventory of charters still changes daily… especially in the Summer Months and Tournament Season (July and August). On other days throughout the year a specific boat may be sold out or already booked on the day you want to fish (This is why we ask for 3 possible trip dates). However, because HMF works with so many Captains, a similar boat with a quality skipper should be available for your considerations. All boats are registered members of HMF and have complete profiles and reviews available online for our customers.

You have three options:
1) go to www.hawaiimarlinfishing.com and book online or
2) Download the HMF Smart Phone Application (iOS or Android) and book through your mobile device or
3) call our number and one of our charter boat specialists will be happy to take your booking over the phone.

Payment is made to Hawaiian Island Enterprises LLC. We accept bank Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Discover, American Express and also offer payment transactions secured by the worlds safest online payment company PayPal.

HMFs Fleet of boats are the best in the islands and our prices are guaranteed to be the cheapest. Our boats are best in class vessels and our boat captains and crew have vast big game fishing experience, as well as proven local success and knowledge to help you land the big one. No one catches more billfish than HMFs Fleet of Boats and we pride ourselves on the reputation of bringing in big fish and always giving our customers a great time out on the ocean. HMF has operations on all of the Hawaiian Islands, so our fleet is conveniently located and services all of the main harbors, airports and resorts.

Most boats will allow up to 6 anglers, however HMF does have a few boats on each Island that are licensed, permitted and Insured to have larger groups of people on the boat.

HMF offers ½ day, ¾ day and Full Day “Shared, Private & Overnight” Fishing Trips. For the most part, HMF only offers Big Game Sport Fishing boats that are dragging lures at 8-10 knots looking for Blue/ Black/ Striped Marlins, Spearfish, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin and Big Eye Tuna’s, Ono (Wahoo), Sailfish and other Pelagic species. Private Charters are of course welcome to fish or utilize the boat however they desire.

When it comes to bottom fishing in Hawaii, many of the near shore reefs are being depleted and the fish you will catch will be small ( not very exciting ). This is the case for any ½ day bottom fishing you can book on any of the Hawaiian Islands. The best bottom fishing is done on private trips when anglers request to drop their lines to depths of 350+ feet for giant trevally, Menpachi, Uku, Opakapaka and Kohala to name a few.

Private Charters are exclusive fishing charters for you and your group. No other people, anglers or groups will be added to your boat.

Rather than spending $500 - $1200 to take a private charter fishing for the day, with HMF you have the option to book a shared Fishing Trip for as low as $173.00 per person . The definition of a Shared Fishing Trip is the grouping together of "Individual" anglers (that have never met each other before) to make a fishing trip. Some Shared Charter Boats will book up to (6) anglers on a single boat, however most of the shared trips offered here on the HMF Website will book a maximum of (3) Anglers per boat. Please keep in mind that when it comes to Big Game Fishing, it's a rare occasion to have a shared trip get all (6) anglers hooked up and fighting a Marlin. The captains will keep it fair for everybody by changing the numbered pole locations every hour. If your pole gets bit, you're on the fish! You better be ready!

At HMF there are two ways to book a shared fishing trip...

1) Charter Boat Profile Pages
2) Shared Fishing Program Webpage, use the Calendar and "Watch" or "Reserve" a spot.

The charters are either 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours and 10 Hours. In Kona (Big Island), 10 hour trips are readily available and very enjoyable as the waters are usually very calm and die hard fisherman verbookingfaqy commonly want to stay out all day coming "Grander Alley" in search of the big one.

This is beautiful Hawaii however, a light jacket is always a good idea when going on deep sea fishing trips (it’s chilly with the trade winds in the morning and night off shore), sunscreen, food, drinks, cameras and take Dramamine if necessary for sea sickness 24 hours before trip. We provide fishing gear, tackle, refrigerator, ice and cooler for food and drinks.

Anglers can apply their Hawaiian Island credits towards anything that is for sale within the HMF website including additional fishing trips, apparel, lures etc… When you are booking your fishing trip or you are purchasing an item, don’t forget to insert your credit rebate code into the box that is provided to you at the point of pu

Most full day fishing trips leave between 6 and 7am, however some boats will also have a later departure options. ½ Day ¾ day trips will depart on varying scheduled set times throughout the day. Your HMF confirmation will remind you of the date and time, and HMF will also send out reminder emails or text messages to you as well.

Yes. That is why we offer Shared Fishing Trips. Private Fishing Trips can also be booked for only one person.

To cancel your booked charter please call us toll free at 1.808.369.9779 or you can at any time also sign into your online HMF account and change/ edit/ cancel your trip. Please check the boat or trip activity providers cancellation policies prior to making any bookings for any fees that apply.

Yes! We will teach you everything you need to know. In the morning when you arrive our crew will go over all the details with you that you will need to know to reel in your fish. If you have any more questions about what you need to know when you’re in the chair fighting a fish or the fishing strategy’s we employ while trolling the Hawaiian Islands…all you need to do is ask. In general, our HMF Fleet is comprised of only proven boats and experienced captains that have developed the best and most successful methods for finding and catching big game sport fish.

If it’s a private charter and your party wants to go home we will go… if it’s a share we will put it to a vote. We are on the ocean and there will be waves so if you do get sea sick take the necessary precautions like Dramamine or doctor prescribed patch. We will be deep sea fishing off the islands, so although it is not very rough all the time, we are in deep water and it can get rocky. Besides Dramamine, the best cure to sea sickness out on the water on a sport fishing charter is hanging out on deck in the fresh air.

Fishing Trips and/or any other Activities booked, then cancelled prior to the confirmed date, will be liable to the Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy Fees of their selected boat and/or activity provider. Those trips or activities that are cancelled by customers BEFORE the Vendors establshed Cancellation Policy Time, will be reimbursed 100%. Those trips or activities that are cancelled by customers AFTER the Vendors establshed Cancellation Policy Time, will be charged the service providers cancellation policy fees. HMF DOES NOT APPLY any cancellation fees of our own, we only enforce the established and published policies of our vendors.

There is no fee if the change is made before the cancellation period (see above).

If you are interested in our other offered trips and activities (Ocean or Island) please book your trip online or contact us by phone to reach one of our representatives who will be happy to help you with any activities questions you may have. Also, please note, all prices listed on the website are web prices only. Prices for individuals who walk up and book charters on location are slightly higher.

As long as the boat is going out, you are expected to be there. Captains appreciate that no one wants to fish in a downpour or to be on the ocean in dangerous conditions, and they therefore have great leniency in that regard. However, for a casual, passing shower or brief delay, there will be no leniency granted. It might be raining in Hawaii, but its still warm. Rain checks are offered according to each boats policy.

If bad weather forces us to stay in the harbor and we cannot reschedule your trip we will give you a full refund.

It is fishing, you are never guaranteed to catch fish, but your best chances for catching fish are on the full day charters as you simply have more time on the water. Sometimes you need time to get bookingfaqout to the best fishing grounds and stay there a while… dragging your lures around. That said, on many islands your chances of catching fish is only slightly less on a 4 or 6 Hour trip as the lines go in the water right outside the harbor. No matter the trip you select, The Captain and deckhands are great fishermen and will work hard to help you catch some Big Game Hawaiian fish.

Most Captains will let you keep your catch up to a certain amount of fish. However, some boats do have a No Keep or Tag and Release Only Policy when it comes to the fish. Please see each boat profile for more information.

Mates or deckhands on the boat make their money by selling fish and receiving tips. It is customary in the charter fishing business to tip the crew. Crew tips in Hawaii are usually 20%.

Yes. Gift cards can be purchased and redeemed/ used for all HIE Store Items and any of our offered services including our sport fishing charters, Ocean Activities, Island Activities, Overnight trips. Contact Us

Mon-Fri 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM (HST)
Sat & Sun 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM (HST).

Our office is located in the heart of Downtown Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii
75-5660 Kopiko St. C7 #409
Kailua-Kona, HI., 96740
Phone: 808.369.9779