When is each species most active in the waters off West Oahu? Our crew is on this coastline every day aboard The VENTURE Boat out of Ko Olina, and this seasonality guide reflects our years of watching it change month to month. Ratings run from quiet to peak and describe each species' season in Hawaiian waters generally. Fishing is fishing: no month guarantees a catch, and every month can surprise you.

SPECIES	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Blue Marlin	fair	fair	fair	active	active	active	peak	peak	active	active	fair	fair
Striped Marlin	fair	peak	peak	active	active	fair	fair	quiet	quiet	fair	fair	active
Black Marlin	quiet	quiet	fair	peak	active	fair	active	fair	fair	fair	fair	quiet
Spearfish	active	peak	peak	active	active	active	active	fair	quiet	quiet	quiet	quiet
Mahi Mahi	fair	fair	peak	peak	peak	active	peak	peak	active	fair	active	active
Ono (Wahoo)	fair	fair	fair	fair	active	peak	peak	active	fair	active	fair	fair
Yellowfin Tuna	fair	fair	fair	fair	fair	peak	peak	peak	active	active	peak	peak
Bigeye Tuna	active	active	active	active	active	fair	quiet	quiet	fair	active	fair	fair
Skipjack Tuna	fair	fair	fair	fair	fair	active	fair	fair	fair	active	active	fair
Amberjack	active	peak	peak	active	active	fair	fair	fair	fair	active	active	fair
Giant Trevally	active	peak	active	active	fair	fair	fair	fair	fair	active	active	peak
Snapper	peak	peak	peak	active	active	fair	fair	fair	fair	active	peak	peak
Grouper	active	active	active	fair	fair	fair	fair	fair	fair	active	peak	peak

This table is an estimate of each species' season in Hawaii, based on our years of experience. It is a guide to what the ocean is doing, not a promise of what will end up on the boat.

A word about what we actually catch

The VENTURE is a nearshore charter built for families and keiki, not a deep sea operation. Our bread and butter is reef and nearshore action: papio, ta'ape, uku, goatfish and their neighbors, with aku, mahi mahi and ono joining in when they wander close to our grounds. The big game higher up this list roams deeper water. Hooking one nearshore does happen, and when it does you will read about it on the Fish Report, but it is a rare treat rather than the plan for the day.

The seasons at a glance

Winter (December to February). Bottom fishing shines: snapper, grouper, and amberjack are at their peak, and jigging the shallows can turn up papio, ta'ape, and uku. Striped marlin and spearfish begin firing late in the season. It is also Hawaiian Humpback Whale season, so keep your eyes on the horizon between bites.

Spring (March to May). The most action-packed stretch of the year for variety. Mahi mahi hit their best months, striped marlin and spearfish stay hot through March, and black marlin peak in April. A great window for families who want steady action.

Summer (June to August). Pelagic season. Ono and yellowfin tuna are at their best, blue marlin peak in July and August, and trolling the ledges for small tuna keeps the rods bending. This is when our morning charters see some of the year's most memorable catches.

Fall (September to November). A steady, underrated season. Yellowfin holds strong into November, bottom species pick back up, and October brings a little of everything. Fewer crowds at the marina, same beautiful mornings.

Fish these waters with us

Our Ko Olina Nearshore Fishing charter runs daily at 7a: a private charter for your whole party, up to six guests, about two hours on the water, $650 for the boat. Gear is included. It is nearshore and reef focused, great for keiki and first-time anglers, and the catches you see on our Fish Report are from these charters.

What about a fishing license? Read our guide: Do I Need a Fishing License in Hawaii?