Aloha, and welcome to the Kauai fishing grounds. The offshore water around this island is one of the most productive pelagic fishing grounds in the Pacific, and the deep water is right off our coast, with the ocean floor dropping a thousand feet per quarter mile from shore and another three thousand feet a mile out. That geology is why the Emma Nalani, our 41-foot Bertram six-pack sport fishing yacht, starts trolling within minutes of leaving the harbor, and it's why this island's fish species list reads like a bucket list.
Here's the Kauai fishing species list we target on every charter — the most common fish caught in Kauai waters by guests who book with us:
These waters see lighter fishing pressure than the busier Hawaiian islands, which means more fish per boat and better odds on any given day. These are the fish species in Kauai, Hawaii, that make up 95 percent of what guests catch on the Emma Nalani, and each one is a seasonal fish that anglers chase for a reason. Click through to each species page for the full breakdown, or scroll down for the short version.
Every species below runs off Kauai's offshore ledges. Seasonality, average size, and what to expect when one hits the line — here's the short version of each.
Marlin is why a lot of anglers book a Kauai fishing trip in the first place, because the Pacific Blue Marlin is the largest billfish species in the world and one of the most prized trophy fish in all of sportfishing. Striped Marlin run smaller but fight just as hard, with more aerial displays and lighter-tackle action, and both species run off our coast year-round, with peak months for Pacific Blues falling between May and October.
If marlin is the trophy, then Ahi, Mahi Mahi, and Ono are the fish that fill your cooler and your table — all three are prized sashimi-grade species that hit hard on our offshore ledges. These are the fish you remember not just because of the fight but because of dinner that night.
Hard-fighting schooling fish that can crack 100 lbs off our coast. Sashimi-grade. When a school of ahi hits the spread, every rod goes off at once. Peak May through September, but caught year-round on the deeper ledges.
Full Ahi Species PageOne of the fastest-growing fish in the ocean. Stunning gold-green-blue coloring that fades the moment they leave the water — the colors make landing one unforgettable. Year-round with spring-summer peaks. Great eating.
Full Mahi Mahi Species PageOne of the fastest fish in the Pacific — capable of 50+ mph bursts that strip line off the reel in seconds. "Ono" means "delicious" in Hawaiian for a reason. Lean, white-fleshed, and exceptional table fare.
Full Ono Species PageAku is the workhorse of the offshore spread — a hard-fighting schooling fish that provides steady action and doubles as live bait for bigger game like blue marlin and large ahi. When the aku are thick, the bigger predators aren't far behind. It's part of the food chain we fish, and catching aku often means something much larger is about to happen.
Species drives strategy on a fishing trip. A 4-hour half-day puts you on the productive inshore ledges where mahi, ono, and smaller ahi roam, while a full-day or custom 10 to 12-hour trip gives the captain the time and range to hunt trophy marlin or 100+ lb ahi that live in deeper water.
You need time and range. The full-day and custom charters push you far enough offshore and keep you there long enough to find the big fish. These are private-only trips — the whole boat is yours.
The sweet spot for most guests. Nearshore ledges hold plenty of fish, the bite is active, and you're back at the dock with time to spare — and dinner in the cooler.
Not sure what you're after? Call Gina at 808-652-4556 — she'll recommend a trip length based on the season and what's biting.
Every charter runs daily at 6:00 AM out of Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor aboard the Emma Nalani. Mahalo, and we'll see you at the dock.
Every charter departs at 6 AM from Nawiliwili Harbor. Book online or call Gina directly — she'll tell you what's running right now and match you to the right trip.
Mahalo for choosing Go Fish Kauai. We'll see you at the dock.