# 53191: Subject: Kona Coast, Hawaii

Submitted by Capt. Chip Van Mols (ip 67.49.174.210)

• Fished on 1/9/2005

• Report received: 1/9/05

Water Temperature: 76
Water Clarity: perfect
Seas: moderate to calm
Weather: sunny, 80 degrees
Fishing_for: marlin and other palagics
Boat: Rod Bender
captain: Chip Van Mols

Report:
Kona Fish Report, Jan. 9 ’05, Capt. Chip Van Mols reporting from the ROD BENDER.

The wintertime variety season is upon us here in Kona and I’ll give the coast a fair or medium rating so far this season. We’re still waiting for the bulk of our small striped marlin to show up but the largest concentration of sub 100lb blue marlin I’ve ever experienced has helped fill the gap left by the tardy stripeys. The little blues, 25 to 80lb were particularly thick the last week of December. Spearfish have moved in now and pretty much a daily occurrence with some days seeing them thick as thieves, I’ve seen a few boats come in with 4 spearfish days. Seems like we’ve been averaging 3 or so bites a day from mahi mahi 15 to 35lb so we’ve all been eating well and if you find something floating look out, you’ll catch a bunch. A few thumper blue marlin around as usual just to keep you honest and we got thumped ourselves a couple times since my last report, damnit! Biggest blue so far this year was 670 something and was caught by the MADUSA last week. On the weather front, we’ve been getting our usual weather fronts, thunder, lightning (which is rare), and rain today so I’m happy behind my computer but mostly the days are sunny 80 degrees with moderate to flat calm seas. That’s the way we like it! Here’s how we did on the Rod Bender since my last report: Dec. 13th, full day for three mahi mahi Dec.15th, half day for zip Dec. 18th, full day. We caught 3 nice mahi’s missed a couple stripeys and a spearfish and got blown away by a 400lb blue marlin on 20lb, Ouch! Dec.22nd, full day with returning friends Vince and Patty Carr. Pattie caught her first blue marlin! A 90lb model. We also caught three mahi’s for the BBQ and had a few other shots at spears I think. Dec. 23rd, full day with Graham McCoy and his partner. 1 for 3 on little blues tagging one about 70lb. 2 mahi for the BBQ. Dec. 24th, Full day with Graham again and we tagged a stripey about 50lb and a spearfish about 30lb. 2 more mahi and we missed a few other shots on various little billfish Merry Christmas! Dec. 27th, full day with the Dave Hawkins party. Our party of 5 caught 5 billfish today; everybody got one and our first grandslam of the season too. We tagged 3 blues from 4 shots est. 35lb, 65lb and 80lb. 1 spearfish about 45+lb from 3 shots on them and 1 striped marlin est. 100lb from one shot. Don’t forget the 25lb mahi for the BBQ. Happy New Year! Jan 3rd, ½ day with Leslie Steidel and her 2 boys. Leslie caught a nice mahi right out of the gate then our hooks turned to rubber going 0 from 6 shots on spearfish leaving the boys empty handed, we did get one to leader but he fell off out of tag range, sorry boys. Jan. 4 and 5 we had Ted Wills who came to Kona from the east coast to finish his 10 billfish royal slam with the addition of a shortnose spearfish, day one we accomplished that goal with Ted tagging a 30 pounder and his son catching a couple mahi mahi, one a nice sized bull. Missed a stripey and another spear too. Day two Ted brought his daughter Megan to try for the slam and we started off early with a quick spearfish about 30lb, then a Mahi, a missed strike or two and then HERE SHE COMES, 700lb blue eats the long rigger and we’re off to the races. It all went well chasing her down except the other boat that was in the fish’s path and cut us off, bad luck! It almost jumped in their cockpit, no ones fault, I’m sure they were as shocked as I was pissed. Right after that Megan tagged a blue about 100lb and the search was on for the stripey to fill out the slam but we couldn’t find one. Jan.7th, half day and we forgot to put quarters in the fish machine before we left, no hits, no runs, no errors! Very slow for everybody today but should start to fire again after this front passes and the current starts moving again.

So there you have it, averaging around 2 billfish per day and still have a shot at monster and get to catch dinner too. When the stripeys show up it’ll be nuts. They’ll rattle you outriggers all day when they arrive! Humpback whales are full speed right now too. The whole tackle stores on board now, we’re just waiting for you to come over and join in the fun. Questions? email bvanmols@rod-bender.com, call 808-960-5954 and have a look at the Rod Bender on www.konasportfishingcharters.com . We’ll both be glad you did!

Tight lines, good fishin and Aloha!

Chip

Capt. Chip Van Mols

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