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If you have to ask how much billfishing costs,
you may not be able to afford it! Private charters run from $250 to $750
for an eight to nine hour day. Boats and skippers vary and, as usual,
you get what you pay for. Three-quarter-day trips run six to seven hours
and are offered by some boats. Half-day trips of four to five hours cost
less, but may not be as good a value as the percentage of running time
to get to the prime spots increases.
Given the use of a $100,000 boat, all the gear you
need and a skipper, deckhand and mate, plus the price of 50 gallons of
gas and insurance costs, charter skippers aren't rich. Prices vary. Some
boats, for example THE PRIME TIME out of Kailua-Kona advertise reduced
weekend rates ". . . over $100 less." If you must catch your
own billfish, private charters improve your odds. Still, bring plastic
or lots of cash, for according to Hawaii Tourism it takes about ten
trips to catch one Pacific Blue Marlin.
A share charter with up to five other fishermen can
also cut your costs. It's also a good way meet other fishermen and to
check out new skippers and boats and a "best buy" for
first-timers who want to sample the action.
Both private and share charters take you out to the buoys
where billfish gather. Each lets you enjoy the sheltered tropical
ocean and the excitement of a day in big fish country. Each gives you
the chance to see billfish caught. If you're lucky you'll get to watch
someone else work up a sweat, hand cramps, sore hands and a stiff back.
Booking trips isn't difficult. Boats are listed in the
quarterly HAWAII FISHING & TRAVEL GUIDE available through Hawaii
Tourism and throughout the Big Island. Hotel activity desks offer trips
and can help put together share charters.
But wise fishermen head down to the docks to check the
boats and talk to skippers whose attitudes about fishing range from the
casual to the compulsive to suit all tastes. A dock trip in the
afternoon to Kailua or Keauhou Bay harbors also lets you talk to other
fishermen. Do watch the afternoon Kailua Pier fish weigh-in.
You can also find boats at our favorite Honokohau
Harbor and watch their weigh-in at the Kona Marlin Center. Visit both
places and you'll have a better idea of the type of trip and the kind of
boat and crew that suits you best.
Don't worry about seasickness. Seas off Kona are
smooth in the wind shadow of the volcano all year long. Do worry about
lunch and beverages -- they are your responsibility and most hotels
offer box lunches.
You will need to book early during popular winter
periods and a reservation fee of 25 percent is usual from the mainland;
50 percent is typical on the big island. If you cancel more than 36
hours ahead, you'll get a full refund from the boat, but may have to pay
a service fee from the booking agent. If you phone Hawaii, realize that
it's 9 a.m. in Hawaii while it's 2 p.m. in New York and that Hawaii does
not use Daylight Savings time.
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