Deep-Sea Fishing
If fishing is your sport, Maui is your island. In these waters you'll find ahi, aku (skipjack tuna), barracuda, bonefish, kawakawa (bonito), mahimahi, Pacific blue marlin, ono, and ulua (jack crevalle). You can fish year-round and you don't need a license.
Plenty of fishing boats run out of Lahaina and Maalaea harbors. If you charter a private boat, expect to spend in the neighborhood of $700 to $1,000 for a thrilling half day in the swivel seat. You can share a boat for much less if you don't mind close quarters with a stranger who may get seasick, drunk, or worse: lucky! Before you sign up, you should know that some boats keep the catch. Most will, however, fillet a nice piece for you to take home. And if you catch a real beauty, you might even be able to have it professionally mounted. Because boats fill up fast during busy seasons, make reservations before coming to Maui.
You're expected to bring your own lunch and beverages in unbreakable containers. (Shop the night before; it's hard to find snacks at 6 am.) Boats supply coolers, ice, and bait. A 7% tax is added to the cost of a trip, and a 10%–20% tip for the crew is suggested.
Boats and Charters
Finest Kind Sportfishing. An 1,118-pound blue marlin was reeled in by the crew aboard Finest Kind, a lovely 37-foot Merritt kept so clean you'd never guess the action it's seen. Captain Dave has been around these waters for about 40 years, long enough to befriend other expert fishers. This family-run company operates three boats and specializes in skilled trolling. Shared charters start at $150 for four hours and go up to $220 for a full day. Private trips run $800–$1,300. No bananas on board, please; the captain thinks they're bad luck for fishing. Lahaina Harbor, Slip 7, Lahaina, Hawaii, 96761. 877/688–0999; www.finestkindsportfishing.com.
Hinatea Sportfishing. This family-run company has built an excellent reputation. The active crew aboard the 41-foot Hatteras has one motto: "No boat rides here—we go to catch fish!" Charters run $225–$250 for a shared boat and $895–$1,295 for a private charter. Lahaina Harbor, Slip 27, Lahaina, Hawaii, 96761. 808/667–7548; www.hinatea-sportfishing.com.
Jayhawk Charters. This ultraluxe, 48-foot Cabo is available for private charters and takes a maximum of six passengers. It's equipped with air-conditioning, two bathrooms, a salon, and two comfy staterooms with a flat-screen TV, a Bose stereo system, leather couches, and air conditioning throughout the cabin. For serious anglers, the boat also has Shimano rods and reels, a black-box sonar, and the latest in fish finders, GPS, and chart plotters. Rates are $855 an hour, and full-day runs last up to eight hours. Lahaina Harbor, Slip 63, Lahaina, Hawaii, 96761. 808/870–5492; www.jhawkyacht.com.
Die Hard Sportfishing. Captain Fuzzy Alboro runs a highly recommended operation on the 33-foot Die Hard. Check-in is at 1:45 am, returning around noon. He takes a minimum of four and a maximum of six people. The cost is from $220 for a shared boat to $1,500 for a private charter. Lahaina Harbor, Slip 10, Lahaina, Hawaii, 96761. 808/344--5051; www.diehardsportfishing.com.
Strike Zone. This is one of the few charter companies to offer both morning bottom-fishing trips (for smaller fish like snapper) and deep-sea trips (for the big ones—ono, ahi, mahimahi, and marlin). Strike Zone is a 43-foot Delta that offers plenty of room for up to 28 people. Lunch and soft drinks are included. The catch is shared with the entire boat. A six-hour trip is $168 per person for a pole; spectators can ride for $78. Four-hour charters are $128 and are offered in the afternoons. Maalaea Harbor, Slip 64, Maalaea, Hawaii, 96753. 808/879–4485; www.strikezonemaui.com.
