Fishing in Honolulu

Nestled on the southeast coast of Oʻahu, Honolulu blends metro comforts with rich ocean access. With its golden beaches, cultural heritage, and strong ocean connection, it’s a rare city where anglers can boat out from the harbor and reach world-class sportfishing grounds in under an hour. Honolulu’s unique blend of reef, flats, and deepwater channels, paired with reliable tradewinds and clean tropical seas, gives anglers a full spectrum of saltwater opportunities—unmatched by mainland city fisheries.

Just past the breakwater lies the fringing coral reef and shallow flats of Kāneʻohe Bay and parts of Windward O‘ahu. These calm, protected areas—often under 20 feet deep—are ideal for light-tackle reef fishing, flats casting, and family-friendly excursions. Fishing around the shallow coral bommies and drop-offs, species like bonefish, bone mullet, and trevally are common sights. Further offshore, the Honolulu Harbor gives way to deepwater structure and pinnacles, with depths ranging from 100 to 400 feet within just 5 to 10 miles. These seamounts are magnets for reef predators like snapper, grouper, and amberjack, making brilliant reef trips both convenient and scenic. Beyond that, heading 20–30 miles out, the ocean floor plunges into the deep blue. These open waters are prime territory for big-game species. The steep underwater canyon systems attract marlin (blue, striped, and occasional black), yellowfin and bigeye tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and other fast pelagics, many within a short run from the city.

Nearshore and reef waters abound with ulua (giant trevally), bonefish, bar jacks, gardner’s bass, and various species colorful reef fish, perfect for light tackle or fly rod action. Deeper offshore, the epitome of Hawaiian fishing is dolphinfish, or mahi-mahi - which even got its name from Hawaiian word for "very strong". Ahi, as the local call yellowfin and bigeye tuna, are another favourite, and of course one can't fail to mention the blue and striped marlin, which are present around the island pretty much the whole year round.

Reef anglers cast jigs, soft plastics, or live bait near bommies and rock ledges, often adding fly fishing into calm morning trips. Nearshore flats can also be explored by kayak or light craft, with sight-casting to bonefish or trevally. Offshore, trolling is the method of choice for pelagic species, using skirted lures, strip baits, and flat-line setups. Live baiting and teaser methods are also highly effective for tuna and marlin. Deep dropping and jigging near structure are game-changers for bottomfish like snapper, amberjack, and grouper.