Can anyone recommend a good boat or company to go on a sportfishing excursion with? I am looking for a charter boat for two people to fish on Maui. We are not necessarily looking for a private charter, just a shared one. All suggestions and names are appreciated...thanks.

Have you asked the concierge at your hotel? I'd try a google search.

Sport fishing is very expensive, they don't really sport fish on cattle boats because of the specialized equipment.

I'd guess anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the boat.

You may also want to do a search for local marinas.

Plenty sport fishing out of both Lahaina and Ma`alea. My husband likes the Judy Ann out of Lahaina, 808-667-6672. His second choice is start Me up Sportfishing http://www.mauifishing.com/charterboats/startme/ They have multiple boats in both Lahaina and Ma`alea. He prefers a 3/4 day trip and spends under $200. Normally there are 6 to a boat, excluding crew.

"They have multiple boats in both Lahaina and Ma`alea." Ahem. Yes, English is my native language. I was trying to say: "There are many other boats as well out of either Lahaina or Ma`alaea"

Depending on when you are coming you might want to book in advance. Christmas season will be booked. We had problems booking a last minute trip in September--everyone was booked for the day DH wanted to go out with my dad.

Beware, as I think in all Hawaii, the boat owns the catch. I personally have a problem with this, if I'm paying hundreds of dollars, and fighting the fish, and an avid cook and sushi lover as well......well, just beware the local rules.

Ok, great, thanks for the replies...I'm not sure of my exact plans, but I just wanted to see some options...thanks.

My husband would not go out if he couldn't bring fish home. Yes, part of the catch is left with the crew, but how much fish can you eat at one time? We don't eat frozen fish, and he always brings home more than enough for us. It is almost impossible for you to ship fish home with you off island, but you will get plenty fish to enjoy while you are here. Also, talk to the captain before you go out and make sure they have a tag and release policy for billfish.

Oh, and NO BANANAS on a fishing boat! Bad luck!

Forgive me, my point is, if you land that great fish, not just a bunch of ahi, or other delicious fish, as my understanding of the term sportfishing means going in the fighting chair for the big boys,,,,well the boat can sell your bluefin or marlin to the Japanese, or other mongers for major $$, so you are paying them to make what could be a ton of money. I just don't get the concept of paying to fish for someone elses economic benefit. If the fish are jumping and I land a dozen or two good size ahi, well, I paid them to land them and now they are selling my catch. So if I pay $500 to fish and real in $1000 in fish that the boat sells after comping me dinner....... Am I talking in circles here? Am I not getting the point?

While, no doubt there are some captains out there who will keep anything you pull in, many of them have no problem with a request to catch and release. Some even insist upon tag and release for healthy billfish--you need to check this before booking. And DH has never encountered a situation where he was not allowed to take all of the fish he wanted for his use. He always brings home enough for us and for us to share with friends. He only goes on boats that have a policy if you can use it, you can have it. You'll find all kinds of captains out there. Some are more ethical than others. Just speak with the captain about their policies before booking the trip.

gyppie, I'm not sure how it is in the Pacific but on the East Coast, one of the factors of the high cost of a charter is all the fuel the boat has to use.

Also, at least in my neck of the woods and the Florida Keys, sportfishing is now more of a catch and release sport. For so many years the sport fish were 'overfished'.

Thanks for the replies and answers. I just want to make sure dtak and others understand to ask the right questions. The only time we went out was in Kauai years ago, and we were dead in the water. I was lucky to get bottled water and smoked marlin from the captain, with no one in the fighting chair......but that was damn good smoked marlin!!! Aloha!