With over 250 miles of pristine coastline and deep waters easily accessible just offshore, the Big Island is a dream destination for anglers and offers the very best of Hawaii fishing. The Big Island is the youngest of the Hawaiian islands, with a shoreline formed by recent lava flows, making it more rocky and rugged than other older Hawaiian isles. Because of this, we not only have black sand and green sand beaches within an hour of Volcano Village, but the coves and bays near Hilo have reefs that flourish, attracting an astonishing variety of fish. The underwater topography of the ocean floor surrounding the Big Island is also perfect for deep-sea fishing, dropping off dramatically just a few miles off both sides of the island and a prime place to hire a charter boat and reel in some of the largest and tastiest fish you’ll catch anywhere.
Pack your favorite rod and reel or pick up some fishing gear in Hilo after you arrive at our Big Island bed and breakfast – no matter what time of year you visit, the fish are plentiful, always biting, and just a short drive or boat ride away!
Fishing From Shore in Hilo – Calm Ponds, a Black Sand Beach, and Venturing Out on the Breakwater
Three of the best spots to fish on the east side of the Big Island are just a 30-minute drive from Volcano Village, right in the center of Hilo. Start with a stop at the S. Tokunaga Store downtown, which has been the premier Hilo fishing and tackle shop for over a century. You can pick up any gear you need, plus get up-to-date info about where the fishery is currently hottest and which bait is working – with fishing, always trust the locals, who know the area better than any guidebook!
Head over to Hilo Bayfront Beach Park, which anchors the heart of Hilo Bay, with a stretch of black sand beach and plenty of places to toss in a line from shore. Many types of bait will work well here, but follow the lead of local anglers, who often use fresh squid or shrimp to attract fish like blacktail snapper, reef triggerfish, bonefish, and hawkfish, which are brightly colored and have a distinctive pointy fin on the top of their body.
Just inland and across Kamehameha Ave from Bayfront Beach, you’ll find one of the more unique Hawaii fishing experiences at the Waiakea Fishing Pond. The state-managed waters act as flood control for the Wailoa River as it empties into Hilo Bay and forms the largest natural lake on the Big Island, at over 25 acres. Fresh snowmelt and spring water from the flanks of nearby volcanoes flow towards the bay while rising tides usher in saltwater, with freshwater and saltwater converging in the fishing pond. Aholeholes are a common catch here alongside mullet, which are excellent-tasting whether you smoke, bake, or steam them. Make a day of it and picnic near the fishing pond, where the shaded and manicured lawns at Wailoa River State Park are ideal for relaxing between fishing sessions. You’ll have all the snacks you need with the macadamia nuts, Hawaiian chips, and Lilikoi fruit juice in our Volcano Village Estates Aloha Bag, the perfect keepsake bag to take home with Hawaii-made products, which you can add when booking.
To ramp up the adventure, walk out on the Hilo breakwater, an above-water rockway that keeps waves away from the bay and stretches over a mile into the Pacific. The rocks can get slippery, so you’ll want to wear water shoes rather than sandals, but you don’t have to go very far out to start getting larger fish and steady bites on your line. Although the water is up to 30 feet deep just off the breakwater, it’s unbelievably clear, so you can see the massive schools of fish that gather here. Start by catching a small fish, but instead of taking that fish, leave it on your line as a “bait fish” to attract an even bigger catch. Bluefin trevally are the most sought-after fish, known for their size (often over 10 lbs) and ferocity (you’ll have to work hard to reel them in), and their green and blue shimmer is as beautiful as their taste is flavorful.
Out on the Open Water – Chartering a Boat and Heading Out Where the Biggest Fish Bite
Fishing from shore can be plenty engaging, but nothing compares to the thrill of hiring a charter boat for the authentic Big Island Hawaii fishing experience. Most fishing boat charters operate out of Kona, on the opposite side of the Big Island from Volcano Village, but a few head out from Hilo Harbor and will save you a few hours of driving across the island. Hilo Ocean Adventures offers trips of 4, 6, or 8 hours (which are the most common choices for fishing charters), leaving from Hilo at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., or 1 p.m., depending on which you choose. One of the advantages of booking out of Hilo is that the east side of the Big Island is less often fished than the Kona side, so you’ll have less competition once you’re out on the water. But both sides have their advantages, and if you do decide to take a charter out of Kona, Knight Runner Sport Fishing has affordable pricing and a stellar reputation, known for making specialty lures and their expertise.
Chartering a boat is not cheap, but you can bring up to 6 people on board, so it’s more reasonable if you split up the cost amongst your group. And once you start reeling in catch after catch, it’s impossible to put a price on such a memorable day of fishing, one that you’ll never forget. In the bottomless waters just a couple miles offshore, every season of fishing is legendary, with striped marlin and mahi mahi in the winter, ono (which means delicious in Hawaiian) in the spring, yellowfin tuna in the summer, and giant blue marlin year-round. Marlin and ahi tuna are highly prized, growing several feet in length and some of the Pacific Ocean’s most magnificent sea life – charter boats will provide your rod, reel, bait, and tackle while taking you to the absolute best spots for reeling in one of these legendary catches!
Stay with us at our boutique hotel in Volcano and experience the best of Hawaii fishing – from the Big Island’s protected ponds and inviting shores to the deepest waters!
