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Fishing Guides · Hawaii

Fishing Guides in Hawaii

Cast 32 guides across Hawaii. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Volcanic peaks rising 13,000 feet from a tropical Pacific.

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Highest rated

Fishing Guides in Hawaii by Google rating

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across all 32 guides listed in Hawaii. A blank cell means we do not have that detail yet.

GuideCityFishingRating
Ocean Blue Kona, Kailua-Kona, HIKailua-Kona5.0197 Google reviews
Sea Baby III Fishing Charters Kona Hawaii, Kailua-Kona, HIKailua-KonaOffshore / Deep Sea5.0152 Google reviews
Blue Water Fishing Kauai, Eleele, HIEleeleOffshore / Deep Sea5.0130 Google reviews
Tantrum Kona Fishing Charters, Kailua-Kona, HIKailua-Kona5.0113 Google reviews
Pearl Fishing Oahu, Haleiwa, HIHaleiwaOffshore / Deep Sea, Inshore Fishing5.063 Google reviews
Lucky Lass Haleiwa Charters, Haleiwa, HIHaleiwaInshore Fishing, Offshore / Deep Sea5.050 Google reviews
Green Island Charters, Kihei, HIKiheiInshore Fishing, Offshore / Deep Sea5.044 Google reviews
Captain Don's Sportsfishing, Lihue, HILihueOffshore / Deep Sea4.9214 Google reviews

All listings

32 guides in Hawaii

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On the map

Guide businesses, fishing spots, rivers & creeks and camping in Hawaii

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Browse all 654 fishing spots

About Hawaii

The seafloor drops fast off Hawaii, no continental shelf to speak of, which puts blue water within sight of the volcanic coastline. That geography is why charter crews out of Honokohau Harbor on the Big Island, Kewalo Basin on Oahu, and Ma'alaea Harbor on Maui can raise Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi), Mahi-mahi, and Wahoo (Ono) without a long steam offshore. Deep trenches and seamounts funnel bait and hold these migratory fish, and the deckhands who work these grounds daily read the current lines and bird piles better than any electronics can.

Inshore is a different game entirely. On the flats, along rocky shorelines, and around protected bays and estuaries, Kauai and the leeward coasts of Maui and Oahu especially, guides run light tackle and fly rods for Giant Trevally (Ulua), Bluefin Trevally (Omilu), and a long roster of reef fish. Trips here happen from small skiffs or on foot in knee-deep water, and the work is sight-casting: spot the fish, put the cast where it needs to go, then hold on. Where offshore trolling is a strength contest, this is precision.

Fewer visitors know that Hawaii has real freshwater fishing too. Peacock Bass and Tilapia have taken hold in reservoirs and irrigation systems on Oahu and Kauai, Lake Wilson (Wahiawa Reservoir) on Oahu carries a genuine reputation for its Peacock Bass. A freshwater guide brings the specialized light tackle and, more importantly, knows which banks and channels produce. Casting under tropical canopy with the ocean nowhere in view is about as far from a marlin cockpit as fishing gets, and that contrast is the point.

Best time to go

When to fish in Hawaii

Year-round. Winter brings the biggest North Pacific swells to the north shores.

Quick facts

Fishing spots mapped
654
Rivers mapped
26
Guides listed
32
Best season
Year-round

Trip guide

Know before you go in Hawaii

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Freshwater Fishing License

    Any person 9 years of age or older fishing in freshwater areas, including guided trips, must possess a valid Hawaii freshwater fishing license. These licenses are available for residents and non-residents.

    Hawaii DLNR DAR

  • Saltwater Fishing License (Recreational)

    Hawaii residents do not need a recreational saltwater license. Nonresidents, however, must carry a Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License (NRMFL), required since May 2024 for any visitor 15 or older fishing in the ocean. The charter's commercial license does not cover clients; each nonresident angler is responsible for their own NRMFL (active-duty military and their minor children are exempt).

  • Protected Species & Areas

    Anglers must adhere to regulations regarding protected species, size limits, bag limits, and marine protected areas. Guides are knowledgeable about these rules, but it is the angler's responsibility to understand and comply.

    Hawaii DLNR DAR

  • Spearfishing Regulations

    While not directly applicable to rod-and-reel guided trips, spearfishing has specific regulations regarding gear, species, and areas. Some guided trips may offer spearfishing options, which would require adherence to these rules.

01Do I need a fishing license for a guided trip in Hawaii?
For saltwater, it depends on residency. Hawaii residents need no marine license, but since May 2024 nonresident visitors 15 or older must carry their own Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License (NRMFL), the charter's license does not cover you. Freshwater has its own rule: anyone 9 or older on a guided freshwater trip needs a valid Hawaii freshwater fishing license, guide or no guide.
02What species can I expect to catch on a guided trip in Hawaii?
Offshore boats target the pelagics: Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi), Mahi-mahi, and Wahoo (Ono). Inshore trips go after Giant Trevally (Ulua) and reef fish. On the freshwater side, guides fish for Peacock Bass and Tilapia.
03What is the best time of year for guided fishing in Hawaii?
Something bites all year, the question is what you want. Blue Marlin peak from May to September, Yellowfin run strong through spring and summer, and Wahoo show best in fall. Peacock Bass in the reservoirs are steady regardless of month.
04What should I bring on a guided fishing trip?
The boat handles gear, bait, and usually drinks or snacks. You handle yourself: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, a camera, and any medications. If you have any doubt about your sea legs, bring seasickness medication, don't test the theory offshore.
05Can I keep my catch on a guided trip?
It depends on the boat and the fish. Marlin are commonly tagged and released. With tuna or mahi-mahi, crews often fillet a share for the angler and keep some themselves. Every operation runs it differently, so settle the policy before you leave the dock.
06Are there freshwater guided fishing options in Hawaii?
Yes, mostly on Oahu and Kauai. Guides there fish reservoirs and irrigation systems for Peacock Bass and Tilapia, non-native species that have long since established themselves. It's a small scene compared with the charter fleet, which is exactly its appeal.

Watch & learn

Watch & learn, Hawaii

  • YouTube

    Fishing Next to an Erupting Volcano! Rare Catch in Hawaii’s Danger Zone

    Cavy Fishing

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  • YouTube

    Catch and Cook on a Remote Beach in Hawaii

    Hawaii HammaHs

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  • YouTube

    Camping with a Hawaiian Legend (Catch & Cook)

    Hawaii HammaHs

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Free tools

Your free outdoor toolkit

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River levelsLive levels for every gauged river in Hawaii.
Fishing SpotsBrowse 24,783 named waters, then read the state stocking record: species, size, and when.
River ExplorerExplore named rivers from USGS data. Filter by water type, with live flow where a gauge sits.
Fishing TimesMajor and minor solunar periods, sunrise, sunset and the moon for your exact spot, all week.
Fishing License CheckPick your state, your age and whether you live there for a yes or no from the state's own rule, plus the next free fishing days.
Skill DrillsInteractive 3D drills, one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you watch it fail, then learn why.