Want to Catch a Toothy Critter?

With the weather being so crazy these last four weeks and lack of new video footage of catches, I put together this short video on how I rig my hooks for catching mahi, ono and shibi. There will probably be some critics who will say that I don't know what I am doing. But you have to ask yourself the question... "Am I catching pelagic fish here in Hawaii?" If you answered "yes" to this question, there is probably no need to watch the video unless you are curious on what I do. No secrets here! Do what is working for you. Hey maybe make a video and upload it to YouTube and I will post an article for you on YakHawaii. The more information to help those who seek more knowledge on Hawaii kayak fishing, the better! But if you answered "no" to the question, watch the video. Pick up a tip or two. I have adapted what was taught to me by one of the best kayak anglers on the Big Island of Hawaii and his name is Reggie Pare'.

Better yet, order a 75 minute DVD video of big game yak fishing tips titled, "Kayak Fishing - Hawaii" made by Reggie as he guides you to his past successes. This video will get you started with great fishing tips and thrill you with exciting big game catches. In one of his chapters, he comes up too close for comfort with a whale shark. Visit his website at http://web.me.com/kpare/Kayak_Fishing/Kayak_Fishing_DVD.html. Reggie does not know I am plugging him, but he is one quality kayak fishing buddy. And after watching his video, you will know Reggie better and it will help you understand Kayak Fishing in Hawaii. This morning, we fished together and every time we go out on the hunt, it's so much fun, even if we don't hook up!

Well anyways, I hope you enjoy my video and if you have the time and want to fish the Big Island with me, let me know! Maybe we can make this happen.

To Prevent a Tragedy, You MUST Prepare and Think Safety First

Not to be scary about the news, but it seems that every month we read about someone here in Hawaii that becomes a casualty of the ocean. The photograph above is a photo taken of a rescue last week on March 12, 2010 on the Big Island in Puako in which a man lost his life while kayaking. From what I heard, there could have been preventive measures that would have prevented this from happening. It's not just kayak fishing, it could be regular kayaking, boating, surfing, wind-surfing, stand-up paddle boards, snorkeling and the list goes on. These outdoor sports here in Hawaii have the potential to claim your life if you are not prepared. Today I want to share with you my preparation for kayak fishing safety to help make sure that I come home to my wife and two children.

When I started out kayak fishing over four years ago, safety was always my main concern, but I did not practice it like I do now. For example, I did not wear my PFD life vest all the time storing it in my front hatch or in the tank well behind the seat. I would go out fishing alone taking the risk of not really knowing my surroundings like I should have known. I did not have a plan on where to ditch if the weather changed on me. I chose bad days to kayak fish without knowing what I was up against, especially with the strong trade winds and high surf on the Big Island. I also did not test my hull for leaks or holes especially after launching from a rocky area.

Three years ago I fished Mahukona by myself. This is probably one of the most dangerous areas to fish because of the strong trade winds that come off the Kohala mountain. I was 30 minutes into my journey when all of a sudden, you could see the white caps coming at me from the north and rain clouds coming over the mountain. Only 3/4 mile offshore, I paddled hard into the wind losing my hat and Maui Jim sunglasses. I cut my line and pounded it out for forty five minutes only to enter the bay like a sail and almost being pushed over. I did have a VHF radio and thought of just giving up and calling for help, but I knew I was strong enough to give it a last effort. I knew that I was not going to make it in where I launched and chose Kapa'a two miles north of Mahukona as where I would ditch my kayak and get off the water. I chose a 45 degree angle and battled for another 45 minute and made it into the bay fully exhausted with my legs shivering from being scared to death. I never before considered an exit strategy when going out on the water. When I made it to the rocks, I pulled my kayak onto the rocks and went and sat down on the bench for 20 minutes to regain my composure. I hitched a ride with some tourist back to my car and did not go back on the water for another month. Talk about being tired from paddling.

When my older brother Jerry was visiting the Big Island several months later, I went out with him and his son Brandon to Keauhou. We were two miles out just getting ready to put our lines out when I notice the shifting of my weight almost caused me to roll my kayak. I looked in the hatch and noticed that my hull was 2/3 full of water. I had no bilge pump or sponge to bail water. I tethered my kayak to my brothers kayak who was on a Ocean Kayak Malibu 2XL that could carry a payload of 550 pounds and towed my kayak back in. Talk about an uncomfortable ride back in without a seat and 600 pounds on the kayak. It turns out that I had a crack in the seam of the scupper hole that filled my kayak full of water. The reason I now check for leaks filling up my kayak with water every so often after a day out in the water.

Yet another encounter I had was being side swiped by a 13 foot tiger shark as it trailed my bait as I was bringing it in to check on it. Thus the reason for me getting amas (outriggers) on my kayak and a Shark Shield. I don't ever want a tiger shark creeping up like JAWS that is wider and longer than a kayak coming up on the side of me ever again without having kayak stabilization and deterrence to keep away.