Aloha, and welcome to yellowfin tuna fishing in Kauai aboard the Emma Nalani, our 41-foot Bertram six-pack sport fishing yacht running out of Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor. Yellowfin Tuna, known in Hawaii by its Hawaiian name "Ahi," is one of the most prized game fish in the Pacific — a hard-fighting, schooling, table-grade species that built Hawaiian commercial fishing and still dominates restaurant menus across the islands.
Ahi tuna fishing in Kauai is world-class because the deep water is right off our coast, with the ocean floor dropping a thousand feet just a quarter mile from the Emma Nalani's slip, and the ledges a mile offshore being prime Ahi country on every yellowfin tuna charter Kauai we run.
Kauai tuna fishing produces year-round, but peak season runs late spring through early fall. Summer months are prime, with July and August often delivering the biggest fish — though schoolie Ahi in the 20 to 60 lb range are available year-round on Kauai's offshore water.
Hawaii's network of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) concentrates Ahi schools at predictable locations — one of the most reliable ahi-finding tools on the water.
Frigate birds and shearwaters working bait schools often mark Ahi feeding below. A working bird pile means fish — usually Ahi or mahi underneath.
Trophy-class Ahi live in deeper water, accessible on the full-day or custom 10 to 12-hour trip. Smaller Ahi can be caught on any trip length, including the half-day.
Smaller Ahi can be caught on any of our trip lengths including the half-day fishing charter — an affordable ahi fishing charter Kauai option. Bigger Yellowfin require longer trips, and if you're chasing the best yellowfin tuna fishing Kauai Hawaii has to offer, a longer run with time to reach deeper structure is the way to go.
Penn International Gold 2-speed reels · 80–130 lb line for trophy-class fish · Blue Water rods
High-speed trolling at 7–9 knots, matched to conditions — switch to live bait when a school is located
Aku (skipjack) or flying fish for stationary schools under birds or FAD buoys — deadly on Ahi
Landing 100+ lb Ahi from the Emma Nalani's back deck — technique and crew matter here
Yellowfin fishing on the Emma Nalani typically starts with high-speed trolling skirted lures, cedar plugs, and rigged baits at 7 to 9 knots. When a school is located, the crew may switch to live bait fishing with Aku (skipjack tuna) or flying fish, or work the FAD buoys with a combination of trolling and jigging. Once an Ahi is hooked, the fight is on — and it's usually a long one.
Ahi don't jump like mahi or sailfish. They fight deep and hard and long, often sounding 200 to 500 feet down and refusing to quit. Landing a big Ahi takes stamina, technique, and a crew that knows how to work the fish from the fighting chair.
That's exactly where the Emma Nalani and our captain and crew earn the tip. Every one of our longer charters is set up specifically to handle trophy-class Yellowfin from hook-set to the deck.
Hard fights, high-quality fish, and a product that goes straight to dinner. If Ahi is your target species, pick the trip that matches the size of fish you're after.
Good shot at a smaller school Ahi on the nearshore ledges. An affordable entry point for ahi fishing in Kauai.
Better odds of multiple hookups. Two extra hours opens up more ocean — good for hitting FAD buoys and working the ledges.
Best for targeting trophy-class Yellowfin. Full offshore range — get deep enough to find the big fish and stay there long enough to fight them.
Maximum time to hunt big Ahi in deep water. The longest trip we run, built entirely around your target. Call to book.
Not sure which trip length is right? Call Gina at 808-652-4556 — she'll tell you what's running and match you to the right trip for Ahi.
Every charter departs at 6 AM from Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor aboard the Emma Nalani. Mahalo, and we'll see you at the dock.
Mahalo for choosing Go Fish Kauai · Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor, Lihue, HI