Because of the large number of responses we receive, obviously we will post the most favorable comments, but we recognize that not every single person will be 100% satisfied with every aspect of their trip. Our ratio of favorable comments to complaints is well over 98%, something we're very proud of.

Most complaints we receive are based on a slow fishing day, which is statistically inevitable, but we do periodically receive complaints for other reasons. If you would like to receive information regarding complaints we have received, we will forward them to you upon request. This is our way of reassuring you, our fishing friend, that quality control is alive and well at Sportfish Hawaii!
 

From John who fished on the Kalele on Oahu

I just wanted to let you know we had a great time on the Kalele. Captain Ron and his first mate Nick were awesome and we brought in a 170lb Ahi.  I would definitely recommend their operation. Great boat, great guys, and they really know their fish. Thanks for helping set our trip up.  
  

From Brad, who fished on the Start Me Up in Maui

I just returned home after our vacation in Hawaii... and wanted to pass along some comments about our charter.

First off- we had an incredible time!  Capt Denny and chris sure made us feel right at home! I spent most of my time chatting with Denny and sure enjoyed his company.  My girls caught fish (the trip was my youngest daughters dream) and it was a wonderful day.  You have some wonderful people working for you- and they made all the difference in the world.

Thank you

Brad
  

I wanted to let you know that I had an amazing time yesterday on the Marlin Grando for my 40th birthday. Capt. Eric and John were exactly the type of Capt. and crew I like to fish with when I charter. They were both serious fishermen that really know these waters. We caught four Ono and to my knowledge we were the hottest boat of the day boating the most fish. I also really appreciated Eric and John fishing right up the end. From the time we left the harbor until the last second possible when we had to return these guys were fishing! They are a great team and I had an absolute blast! Being a meat fisherman, I was also so pleased that the Marlin Grando completely lived up to its word regarding its fish disposition policy. For me its all about my BBQ. My trophy is coming home to eat the fish I've caught or the bragging rights when I cook it for friends and family!  This is the joy of fishing for me! These guys completely got it and went hard after the species that put food on my grill. I am very grateful, and I wouldn't fish on any other boat, but the Marlin Grando with Capt. Eric and his first mate John when I come to Kona.
  

For what you did, and your recommendations of what boat to charter. I want to THANK YOU.......... The 'Marlin Grando' is a beautiful boat, I was very satisfied with it's accommodations, beauty, and how well kept it is. Vinny (the skipper) and his deck hand (Brian), work very well together, and were accommodating as well as social. I set out to catch tuna & mahi mahi, and that is what we game back to the pier with. I also very much enjoyed the sport of my day of fishing with Marlin Grando and her crew.
I will again use you, as well as this boat and her crew again. Can we make reservations for next year yet????????????????
  

I just wanted to take this time to thank you all for a great night of Shark Fishing, your team that night were excellent hosts, very knowledgeable, and friendly, we caught 2 beauty's that night, but most of all the scenery and the opportunity to spend that time out there, sharing it with members of my family "Priceless" thank you again, and I will recommend you to all.
  

I wanted to say thank you for a great trip on the Legend 2. You guys did a fantastic job making my wife feel comfortable on the boat on her first deep sea trip and helping her catch her first tuna. She had a great time as I did. Thanks again for the fantastic trip and we hope to see you in the future for another trip.
  

I wish to thank Captain and mate for a great trip. In fact, my best trip on a "cruiser". Having fished many places, I had pretty much given up ever having a good trip. But Jim and Mark were able to bring the luck of the Irish upon us last Thursday. (the gecko that hitched a ride on my car for 5 miles didn't have anything to do with it, I am told. :-) 

We caught 8 Ono and a Mahi. (we call 'em Dodo's here in San Diego) I was able to take my share of fish, and I thank you for that. We also hooked but lost a 300 pound Blue Marlin. That got the adrenalin going!

Overall, I found the experience to be great. The crews of both boats were very friendly, the boat was acceptable and the gear superb. And, of course, the fishing was good. But, even if we hadn't done well, it was an experience I enjoyed and would still enjoy. If you can forward my comments to Kip, it would be appreciated. I will be back to fish with these guys when I return to Kauai in about three years. I will recommend this operation to my friends.

Thanks again for a great day.

Finally getting back to a normal routine of a mainlander. Just wanted to thank you for arranging a fantastic fishing trip on the Wild Bunch.  Captain Mike and mate Rob did a great job. Their personalities were only out done by their fishing knowledge. They put us on fish from the very start and maintain the action all day (10 hours!).  I boated 2 Mahi and 1 yellow-fin.  All toll (6 people) we boated 13 mahi, 2 blue-fin, and 1 yellow-fin (not counting 12-15 skip jacks). It was the highlight of my Hawaii trip. I only regret that I didn't have a chance to meet you in person as you were so very helpful in setting up the trip for me. If I ever return to Hawaii (it was a 19 hour travel time to get back home) I will absolutely fish again through your network. Once again Kathy, THANK YOU!!
  

Thanks again and I can tell you, when I make it back I will be looking for those two for my next trip
  

We just returned from our vacation & I wanted to tell you what a wonderful time my Two 15 year old twins, My wife & I had on the Pamela. On our 3/4 day trip we caught three 56 inch Mahi-Mahi & 6 Skip Jack Tuna.  Even if we did not catch anything it would have been a very enjoyable Trip.  I do not think Teddy Hoogs could have worked any harder or been any more pleasant. I recommended the Pamela to many other guests that I spoke to at our hotel. I would sail with the Hoogs & the Pamela the next time I am in Hawaii & would recommend them to any one.  Thank you.
  

Just returned to the "Mainland" last night and had to let you know what a wonderful experience we had aboard the Ho'okela!! I cannot say enough wonderful things about Captain Denny. He could not have been more helpful and informative! My husband did not make the trip (stayed in California with the flu) so it was just my eleven year old grandson (Tyler) and me. Captain Denny took so much time with Tyler explaining how to use the equipment and even letting him steer the boat. Tyler caught his first couple of fish including a good size Mahi Mahi! He was just thrilled and it was the highlight of his trip to Maui!! He can't stop talking about it and is anxious to book Captain Denny again hopefully next year. We will keep in touch and let you know when we are coming again. Thank you so much for the booking. We were so happy with the whole experience.
  

Just wanted to say Thank you for the booking my husband and son on the Monkey Biz a couple of weeks ago. They had a blast! Eric and Patty were great.  My son is still sporting the tennis shoes with the "Mahi Mahi blood". It was a real highlight. Thanks again.
  

From Tom, who chartered the Legend

I wanted to pass along a thank you and while fishing only yielded a single mahi-mahi, it was great to get out on the water with such a good crew.  Hector was great and very informative, fun and easy going.  And Agnes was a great deck hand as she had lot’s of advice and making it a fun time.  They both are a great reason to come back, that is besides the great view and of course the fantastic fishing.  Please pass along my compliments and thanks to both Hector and Agnes as well as to Michael (the owner, who has a great captain in Hector) for fun filled few days….as I told Hector and Agnes, while I was disappointed in not catching more, the worst day fishing is always better than your best day at work….especially when it is in Hawaii! 

Again thank you Kathy for setting this up and for the great instructions and most importantly I will be back.   
  

I just wanted you to know how much my sister and I enjoyed our fishing trip on the Eclipse. If there are any women who are looking for a boat to charter this would be the one. Captain Billy made us feel so relaxed and even though the seas were pretty big for the Kona area and we went out 23 miles from shore we were never once afraid of anything they really went out of their way to explain everything and we even ended up changing it to an all day trip. We caught a 125# yellow fin tuna which was very exciting. The dolphins put on a show for us all day and we also caught a view of a brown something whale that usually stays away from the boats. I will book with the eclipse again in 2007 when we return.

I just wanted to let you know that the trip we took on the Wild Bunch charter on August 12 was awesome.  Karl our skipper and Clint were great.  We were one of the few successful charters in that time frame and were hit 17 times and boated 14 fish.  We boated 13 Mahi Mahi and one Wahoo.  We had a great day.  
  

Read more about Robert's great catch
  

I just wanted to thank you for helping me book my fishing charter on the Grand Slam with Captain Bob Dorigo in June. I didn't know much about the boats in Hawaii , being from NY, but you helped me pick the best one to suite my needs and it was perfect. Captain Bob and the mate Martin were very professional, worked very hard, and we enjoyed being on the water with them. Your website made it extremely easy to book my trip and my wife and I had one of the best days of fishing in our lives! I appreciate all of your help , and will recommend you to anyone interested in fishing when they go to Hawaii.

I wish to follow up on my sport fishing trip aboard the 'Pamela' on July 18. I have been fishing around the world for most of my life, and these trips were the best ever. Captains Pete and Teddy Hoogs and are clearly top notch! Long after other charter boats had run for the barn, we aboard Pamela tagged two blue marlins in addition to one earlier in the day. It was this dedication and extra effort that really made the difference. Additionally, these two gentlemen spent a great deal of time and effort to revive an otherwise exhausted fish, and seeing it swim off in good health really made the day! I will hire the Pamela again when I return to the Kona area and would highly recommend this boat and crew to anybody interested in great big game fishing.

On July 19, I hired the charter boat 'Humdinger' on Pete's recommendation since he was booked. Captain Jeff Fay and 1st mate Oskie were both professional and personable. Again, we tagged two blue marlins and found the crew and boat to be excellent. When I return to the Kona area, I will hire Capt. Fay, and I would be happy to recommend 'Humdinger' to anybody. My 14 year old, with three blues under his belt, still speaks of Teddy and Oskie.

Thank you for excellent service and I really look forward to my next trip aboard both vessels. Feel free to use me as a reference for either boat anytime!

Just wanted to let you know about our trip. Pete and Bo on the Wild Bunch showed us an excellent time. They were professional and very helpful. We had a great time. We caught 3 Skipjack and one 125 lb. Blue Marlin. It fulfilled a lifelong dream. We will be returning to the islands again soon and will be taking another trip with Sportfish Hawaii again. I will recommend your company to anyone I know going to the islands. Again, thank you and thanks to the crew of the wild bunch.
  

Wanted to thank both Mark and Kevin for a wonderful day out on the ocean with my family.  Both had said that the previous few days not much was biting, but that they were going to do there best to change that, and they did.  9 Tuna and 1 mahimahi later we were all smiles.  This was my first time out on the ocean fishing and I had a wonderful time.  You guys were great,  I enjoyed your knowledge and experience which led to a memorable day.  Thank you both.  I will see you next time.

We had a great time.  We had a pretty activity packed week in Hawaii.  Of all the things we did, my 15 year old son says the shark fishing was the best.  My wife and I had to agree.  I am attaching some pictures of our big Tiger.  Thanks for everything.

Note: The Shark caught was a approx. 15' Tiger Shark estimated at around 900lbs.  The shark was released unharmed.
  

Thank you, and especially the crew of the "Start Me Up".  They were both very professional and knew what they were doing.  Wonderful time, first experience on this type of fishing trip and my first trip to Hawaii.  Thanks to your crew, they helped make my 52nd birthday/20th anniversary trip to Maui a very memorable one. 
  

Just wanted to let you know what a great time my brother and I had.  Two dancin' marlin, Mahi, Ono. What a day! Totally professional Outfit. I'll tell all my friends! Can't wait to get back! Give the guys my e-mail and If they or you want to go pig, turkey, or deer hunting in Cali, I'll take you for free. Thanks again, John
  

We have just returned from MY fishing trip. (my wife said it was NOT A FISHING trip but just a vacation...... : ) I caught 2 big peacock basses and many other fishes, wow! It was a SPECIAL EXPERIENCE for me and I shall never forget it!!!

Tom was a good guy and, of course, a great guide. Please give my best regards to him when you have an opportunity to contact with him. Also I heartily appreciate your quick correspondence and your kind supports.

Vinnie & Eric, Joanie and myself wanted to drop you guys an email to express our sincere gratitude for the memories you both provided on our fishing charter. It was everything I imagined it would be. The best was seeing the Joanie's excitement when she landed her first Mahi-Mahi. And the "one that got away " was priceless, now she'll understand the next I tell her my fish stories.  We had the Chinese restaurant cook the fish the next day and we shared it poolside with our friends at the hotel.

Thanks again !!  feel free to use us as references. 

I was hoping you could pass on my thanks to Capt. Vinnie and Eric for the great trip. The weather was some what lumpy but the crew put up with all of us, it was a great trip with a good group of people. Thanks again.
  

Just a few lines to let you know that we had a great time on the Monkey Biz, we caught a lot of mahi-mahi.  There were five of us and we all had fish on.  At one time there were five fish on, however we were a little disappointed that we could not vacuum pack, freeze and have the fish shipped home. Maybe some day someone will start doing this.
  

Just wanted to let you know what a great time we had on the "Spellbound"  with Capt. Mike Rand.  The day started out with a Mahi-Mahi and 2 Ono. Then after lunch we hit into a Blue Marlin.  After a 40 minute fight the marlin was landed.  It weighed out at 566 lb.  What a thrill!!  This was our second trip planned with you and also our second Marlin.  We will definitely be back for a third trip and hopefully third marlin.
  

It has taken me a while to catch up on my correspondence after leaving Paradise and getting back to the hum-drum mainland, but I wanted to let you know how much my husband Gary and I appreciate your setting up our fishing trip with Rob and John on The Wild Bunch.  Richard has a beautiful boat and Rob and John were a most proficient and courteous crew.  We really had a great time spending the day with them.  I will definitely recommend your service and The Wild Bunch to anyone I know who is coming to Hawaii.
 

I retuned home to Oklahoma yesterday still excited about my visit to Hawaii. I just wanted to write and let you know how much I appreciate all your help with making a dream come true. I booked a trip on Monkey Biz with Cpt. Vinney and his excellant crew Eric and Gino. I was lucky enough to catch fish after a week or so of slow fishing. I caught a Ono and a few Mahi Mahi. The boat was everything I thought it would be and more. It was very clean and organized. I cannot say enough good things about the Captain and crew. They all worked very hard to make this  a memorable trip. They answered all my questions and kept me informed at all times. It is not often that you come in contact with people that love what they do for a living like these guys do. They were as excited about the fishing as I was. I would reccommend your service and this boat to anyone. Mahalo.  
 

The trip was excellent! I caught two fish and I couldn't be more happier. The Kai Bear crew was totally awesome! I can't wait to get back on the boat and get some more fish!!! I wanted to thank Frank for always trying new lures to make sure we were after the "big ones". By the way, I put the first fish on the deck....whooooo! Thanks again, I had a great time!
 

We went out two days last week on Wild Bunch. Great weather, boat, crew and fun. Didn't catch the big one again this year but had lots of fun on smaller fish. It was a great effort by Tim and Brad to find the fish we caught. They gave us much more than the eight hour day we had expected. Thanks again to them and you for setting up the trip.
 

Kathy, just wanted to let you know what a great time we had fishing with Capt. Kent Mongreig on Jacque A Pito back on May 8th. Capt. Kent was a great host, his deckhand, Erin, was knowledgeable and did a great job of keeping my 9 year old son entertained between bites. Most importantly we caught fish, ( a 45lb. Spearfish and two nice Ono) and with a few other hits and lots of other sites to see we had a great day! We'll be back! Thanks.
 

Kathy, Another big thanks & job well done. For the second year in a row, I chartered through you. This year I booked with Capt. Jeff and the Carnivore out of Kona on April 29th. It was another great trip. We had neumerous hits from ono right out of the harbour. We did boat two ono and then went jigging. Caught gray snapper, two nice almaco jacks (released) and had a big one which hung up in the ledge and broke us off. Capt. Jeff was a great skipper and really worked had to make sure we all landed at least one fish each. The nice almaco jacks were the first deep sea fish that Kathy & I had ever caught. Steve & I also had a great time. I think Steve is considering booking another trip with you later on. I know you can count on my return visit again next year. Untill then tight lines, good fishing.
 

Thank you for your service and booking us on the Wild Bunch.  We just wanted to show you the pictures of what we caught on the wild Bunch. Capt. Tim and Brad, did a excellant job of putting us on the fish, as you will see in the pictures that are attached.I have sent these to them also. It was a great Day although, I did get a little sea sick, I shortly got over it when Kimberly caught the Spearfish, I shortly caught the Mahi-Mahi. Thanks again !

Thank you for hooking us up with the Wild Bunch and Tim and Walter. They were an excellent team in making our day fishing a great experience. They kept us informed as to where we were going and what we were doing.  This being our first time to try and catch large fish and charter a boat was an experience that you and them made very enjoyable.  While we did not set any records or catch the big one, the day was so enjoyable and went by so fast we still wonder were it went.  I would not hesitate to recommend either your service or the Wild Bunch crew to anyone that is contemplating a fishing trip.  The fee sounds a bit steep to one who has not been on a trip and experienced the appreciation the crew has for fishing and how hard they work to make sure the trip is memorable.  Again thanks to all for a great memory.
 

I just wanted to send you a note of thanks for arranging our deep sea fishing trip with the 'Start Me Up' fishing group.  Everyone involved had a great time and one of our boats hauled in a 20 pound Mahi Mahi and a 38 pound Spearfish (caught by the Grooms father).  The guides were all very informative and made sure we all had a great time. Thanks again...I will definitely recommend your services to anyone who is heading to Hawaii and I look forward to coming back to Maui and trying it again!

I'm back from Hawaii, had a great time with Capt. Tiger.  Thanks again fo the great trip.   See you again in Jan 04/05. 

Thanks, Carl

I want to let you know that I appreciate you setting me up with Billy Ross and the Eclipse for my three days of fishing in Kona. Billy and his mate Gilbert were extremely friendly and did everything in their power to make our days on the water enjoyable. I would highly recommend Billy to anyone planning to fish in Kona, especially during the slower fishing months with his "green stick" and ahi skills. I hope to fish with him again soon.

Thanks again,
Ken
 

We had a great time fishing with Capt. Ron! He was a great guide and we really felt at home with him - it was like fishing with friends! Ron took us to some great spots and obviously knows where ALL the "peacocks" are!  We got into them a little before noon and caught like crazy! I'll send some great pictures for you to use !   Thanks Again.

We had a great trip and great time fishing, a bit rough, or as Scott said bumpy, but Manda caught what we call a dolphin fish and hung and lost an even larger one. Wish it had been calmer, however, weather is something you take as is. Scott did a superior job as skipper and host, and we enjoyed being with him.

Thanks again, if ever your way, we will surely fish with you. Also we will recommend you to our fishing friends.
 

Just wanted to let you know what a great time we had fishing on the Wild Bunch on 5/8 and 5/10 . We caught 6 mahi mahi and 2 ono on day one, one blue marlin and an ono on day two. Tim and Brad were fun to fish with and they put us on some fish. We would like to purchase two tee shirts from the Wild Bunch when they get some in.You could e-mail us or send them and bill them to my credit card, the same one I used to pay our fishing trip. We hope to go fishing with sportfish Hawaii in the future.  Thank you.
 

Thank you for booking us with Spellbound. We had a good day and caught a 12 foot, 468 lb. blue marlin. I will e-mail you a picture next week.
 

I would just like to pass on my thanks for setting up the charter for me.  I had a great day on the water with Timmy and Brad and managed to hook up 7 Mahi Mahi and 1 Ono.  I have attached a couple of snaps which I am happy for you to also pass onto to Timmy for me and if you want to can include in your web-site for future prospective clients. 

Anyway, thanks again for setting up a great day for me.

Mahalo

Just a short note to give you a big thank you for your assistance in arranging a Charter for my family on June 12.   Our trip on the Start Me Up was a trip of a life time.     You may have read about the trip and saw the picture as it made the Lahaina news.   We had a hook up as we put lines in the water and I got to fight a Big fish for few minutes and lost it.  As soon as we got lines back in we hooked into what turned out to be a 610.8  lb Marlin.   A young man from New York fought the fish until exhausted then my son in law took over.  Three hours and forty five minutes later with the help of Captain Mark Davis who had to swim to the Start Me Up (from Start Me Up II) we landed the fish.  Captain Neil and Linda were great hosts and very accommodating.   Please compliment them for their hospitality when you see them;  also Captain Marc Davis, boy is he a character!   He was back in the water and swimming for his boat before we could thank him properly.   The trip was one memories are made of..  My wife has told friends and family that she is not sure what was the highlight, my daughters wedding or catching such a big fish.   We had a wonderful vacation and a great time on Maui.
Thank you again for your assistance.   We have passed some information on to friends to book the Start Me Up for their trip.  Your help and thoroughness was first class.   We are already have plans to return in 2004 and another charter trip is in our plans.
 

Kathy, Just a quick note to let you know that we really enjoyed our day out on the Start me Up July 18th. It was a day of no fish but both we were showed a good time. The crew were on time and very informative about what was going on and very interesting to listen to. Thanks for your help.
 

Just got back from Hawaii. While we were there Captain Peter Hoogs and his son Teddy took my daughter Kierstin who is 8, my brother-in-law Scott, and I for a full day of fishing aboard the Pamela. It was wonderful. My daughter tagged and released about a 40 pound Shortnosed Spearfish and I tagged and released about a 250 pound Blue Marlin. My complements to Captain Pete and his son.
 

Would appreciate if you could convey my thanks on to Peter & Teddy Hoogs again for the great time I had with my wife, Alyson, on our July 2nd trip on the 'Pamela' with them.

They were a top-notch team, and it was a great experience to catch my first blue marlin with them. I'll definitely plan to go out with them again the next time we get back to Kona.
 

We would like to thank you for setting us up with Tim and the Wild Bunch. I don't think we could have had a better crew if we were able to hand pick them.

We had great fishing while other boats were getting little or nothing, the trip ended when we landed two yellow fin at 142# and 173#  I can't say enough about  the whole experince and the great people we delt with.  Thanks again.
 

Just wanted to write a short note and thank you for setting up my trip with the Sea Verse. I was originally going out on Magic but equipment problems caused the change. I know how that goes as I own a boat of my own and understand breakdowns. I have no regrets being moved to the Sea Verse. We all had a great time. The crew was great and should be complemented on their knowledge.  Caught a few tuna and lost what looked to be about a 600 pound Marlin. I will be back to try again in the future. I really enjoy this type of fishing.
 

We thoroughly enjoyed our charter on Legend.  We landed 5 mahi-mahi and 2 ono (wahoo).  As usual, we did not land every fish hooked.  However, the action was good and steady.  We all landed at least one fish.  We lost one good size fish farther out, next to one of the FAD's.  Couldn't tell for sure what it was.  Possible tuna, it sure stripped the line before it came off.  What ever it was, it was much larger than any fish we landed. (The big ones usually get away - and it gets bigger as I retell the story.)  We also went shark fishing at night.  We had several hook-ups, lost one right at the boat and my son did land & release a gray reef shark estimated at about 130 lbs.  It gave him a work out.  Again, an enjoyable trip.  I would gladly recommend your services and both boats we were on.  Thanks again, I will contact you again on my next trip.  What is the magic word? Hannapah ?? (Fish on).  Any way, my grandson really thought that was neat when we had a hook up.  Good luck & good fishing.
  

Hi Kathy, I just wanted to Thank you for setting up the trip for my group. It was a fun day and we all had a great time. Timmy and John (Weekend Warrior) did a great job and I was amazed on how hard they worked at trying to help us catch a fish (which we did). The next time we are in town we will see if we have time to do it again. 
 

I just wanted to let you know that our fishing charter on board the Wild Bunch yesterday was great.   We caught several nice mahimahi and really enjoyed ourselves, despite the rough seas.  I've been on a number of fishing charters and would recommend Cpt. Timmy.   He worked hard to find fish.  I'm looking forward to the shark hunt thursday night. 
 

After recently returning from our trip to the Kona Coast, I just wanted to pass on thanks for connecting us with Captain Mike Rand of Spellbound for our first fishing experience off of Kona.  Mike and his mate Danny exhibited first rate professionalism and were very friendly.  Mike is someone we definitely will book next time we're in Kona.
  

I am just getting around to sending my emails to friends and family about the GREAT fishing we had in Hawaii. The Start Me Up Crew, Skipper John and Mate Geoff, knew right where to go. I am enclosing a couple pictures of the eight Mahi Mahi we caught. I appreciated their professional, yet laid back demeanor. Everyone on the boat caught fish, and I was one of the lucky ones to catch two. I was on the bridge with John when he mentioned to me, " You know Ed, if we hook up with a fish right now you would be up.". Within two minutes I was heading down the ladder and jumping into the hot seat. What a thrill. I expect to come back time and again, and if they are available, I would sail with these two MASTER FISHERMEN anytime. A big MAHALO to you all for a great ride.
 

Just a note to thank you for your assistance booking our trip on "Kai Bear" last week (4/26/02). We had a great day on the water!  We were actually on another of their boats (the Grander), with Ryan and Ben. Although the boat is ready for some cosmetic maintenance, everything was satisfactory overall.

We boated a 30 + lb. Ono, and a 6-7 lb. Ahu. We hooked and lost two additional Ono, and had a number of other strikes. Another person from our group landed a 10' 6" (400 + lb.) Blue Marlin the day before we went. So excitement was had by all. Ryan "promises" better action the latter part of July/early August. Maybe in a couple of years.....

Thanks again for your assistance, and the information posted on your web site.
 

Just wanted to drop a line saying how much Mary and I enjoyed our day on the Hinatea with captain Doug and Kai as crew on April 16.  We missed what was undoubtable an ahi that managed to stip line out for 4-5 minutes before shaking the hook. It seemed like ideal conditions, thousands of porpoise feeding at the surface with lots of birds looking for baitfish. That is what makes it fishing. Doug and Kai put us on the mahimahi shortly afterwards. Just amazing to see a school of iridescant blue darting throuhg the water. Catching a 49 in, 24 lb female mahimahi near FAD "MC" was a treat that I will always remember. That may not seem like much to those used to fishing Hawaii, but I am used to freshwater. There is no freshwater fish that even comes close to the experience.

When I checked the charts to see how far out the guys had taken us, I realized that they actually followed their motto of avoiding boat rides. The extra effort and time to put us on the fish was greatly appreciated. If you only have one day, these are the folks to go out with.

They also did a terrific job of showing us the ropes of saltwater fishing. It was obvious that Doug and Kai not only enjoyed fishing but also enjoyed teaching other fisherman their skills. Their efforts to point out the sealife also made the trip extra enjoyable. Gray whales, pilot whales, porpoise, flying fish, a manta ray, and the lifetime thrill of having a tweny foot whale shark bask at boatside for fifteen minutes are just not the kind of things folks from the Midwest get to see. All in all, one memorable day. I have your website bookmarked and the business card for the Hinatea is in my rolodex.
 

Thanks for all your help with booking me on The Magic. It was the highlight of my trip to Hawaii. We caught fish, made new friends, and had an all around great time. I would definitely do this again.  Russell and Eric know how to find fish. After we got back into the harbor and had our catch hanging up we were taking pictures when the boat next to us pulled in. I will never forget the looks on the faces of the guys aboard that boat when they saw our fish. The absences of flags on their boat made it obvious they got skunked!   This was my first fishing trip and you really took good care of me. The FAQ's from your website answered a lot of my questions and helped me plan for the trip.  You took an idea and turned it into a reality. I will be talking about this trip for a long time.  Thanks again for a very memorable fishing trip.
 

First off, I would like to thank you for your wonderful service in arranging my charters while I was in Hawaii. I will definitely use you service again when I return to Hawaii. As for the fishing in Hawaii, I would rank it up in the top 3 areas that I have fished. I have fished on at least 5 different islands in the Caribbean and the fishing, Boats, Captains and equipment in Hawaii beats them all.

The Grand Slam out of Kona, was an outstanding boat. It was comfortable, clean, well maintained. Capt. Bob and his mate went out of their way to make us feel welcome aboard. They worked hard to give us a great fishing trip. On the day that we went fishing, it ended up being the windiest day of our entire stay. The wind blew an easy 35 knots. We could not get to the area that they had been fishing (and catching well at I may add) so we had to fish other areas. We did manage to catch a small Striped Marlin but we also got to see tons of whales and dolphins. Catching fish is never a guarantee, but having a good time is what it is all about.The Capt.. and crew of the Grand Slam made sure we had a GREAT time. When I return to Hawaii I will book with them again.
 

The day was wonderful. 5s on everything (from our survey 1-5 scale). I would definitely fish on the Magic again and would recommend the boat to others. I hope to get back and fish again someday myself.
 

To the wonderful folks at Sportfish Hawaii.com,

I'd like to thank you for all of your assistance in regard to planning my February vacation. The interisland travel, rental car, and hotel accomodations were wonderfully efficient. My brother and I never ran into any of the snags that so often plague travelers. The King Kamehameha hotel was wonderfully convenient for both our fishing venture and it's proximity to the shops and restaurants in Kona. The folks that worked at the information desk provided us with great insights to assist us in our attempts to see as much of the Big Island as possible in the relatively few days we had available. They also gave us great money saving coupons for several of the local restaraunts which helped us reduce some of our dining expenses.

The fishing was in a word ... incredible. Captain Peter Hoogs and his son Teddy were masters of their trade. The "Pamela" was an excellent vessel. We had abnormally rougher weather than what is customary for the Kona coast, however the deisel powered Bertram cut through the swells and maintained a fairly smooth ride throughout the day. We hooked into our first fish, a 188 lb. blue marlin just 45 minutes into the trip! By journey's end we had also landed two 57 lb. striped marlin and a 22 lb. mahi-mahi.  The waters of Kona were alive with activity. We witnessed a humpback whale commuting down the coast and saw several schools of porpoises during our charter.

Once again, I'd like to express my deepest gratitude for all of your services. You took care of all the normally aggravating travel arrangements and left us with peace of mind to enjoy our vacation.
  

In answer to our survey: Service and friendliness ----Excellent (5), Condition of Boat---Very Good (4),  Condition of Gear--- Very Good (4), Fishing effort by the crew (i.e. how hard did they work at finding fish) Tom Christy is an excellent guide. He never quits trying and was very persistant in finding fish. (5) Overall rating of the boat-- (4+) Sportfish Hawaii's referral service-- (5)  Would you fish in Hawaii again? (why or why not)  Yes. I've fished most of North America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and even a little of South America. I always trust the locals as to where, when and how to fish their area.  If you would fish in Hawaii, would you use our service again? (why or why not) Yes. Your service and followup was excellent.
 

Thanks Tim and Langey for a memorable sport fishing trip to Hawaii. Although small by Pacific Blue standards, the 200# marlin we caught on Feb 14th, 2002 was quite a thrill. Especially here in Wisconsin where a 4 pound walleye is good catch. I have included a few pictures. Feel free to use them and me as a reference in the future. Maybe I will get to come back to Kai Bear next year. I surely will recommend you to anyone traveling in Hawaii!

My husband Larry and I thoroughly enjoyed our day of fishing on the Magic with Russel and Eric. Russell Tanaka is an excellent captain; his concern for the safety and well being of everyone aboard is first and foremost. And his efforts in keeping a clean and organized boat were noticed by us all. Russell's knowledge of the waters and commitment to catching fish are very evident. He worked continuously throughout the day to give us the most sucessful fishing experience possible. We appreciate the dedication that Russell puts into his work because he gave us a great day of fishing.  Eric was the first mate on our trip.

As much as we appreciate Russell, we were delighted to have Eric with us for the day. My husband said that Eric "MADE" the day for him. Eric is so friendly and personable, and helpful in every way. He eagerly met us at the dock with a warm welcome and the immediate instructions to get us started. Eric is an extremely good communicator: his instructions are easily understood; he is very respectful, friendly, and caring towards people. Eric is also very interesting to talk to. He explained everything we needed to know for fishing, and he also gave us a lot of information and history about the island and is people. We just cannot say enough about Eric; he was just a pleasure to be with.
 

Just returned back to Maine from Hawaii and wanted to let you know that I had a great time on the "Magic" out of Honolulu.  The boat, captain and crew were first class.  Many thanks again and will refer you to my Hawaii bound fishing pals...
 

I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you how great it was fishing with Scott.  He did a fabulous job, we had a great time and my in laws were ecstatic with the trip.  We caught an impressive amount of Mahi Mahi - 17 I think and both my brother in law and father in law have been on several charters on the east coast (Atlantic) and never had as much fun. 

Thanks again, give Scott my best,  and tell him Aloha from Alaska.
 

Had a great time; caught my first Blue.  It was 225 and I know not particularly large by HI standards but I was pretty excited given the time of year.  It is great for whale watching but not the best for fishing but it made my trip.  I would recommend Spellbound to your future customers.  They are down to business and professional.  I have fished with more personable captains but I didnt catch anything and these guys are trying to give you your moneys worth and that is what I was looking for.   Again, thanks for your assistance and I will definitely go through your agency again on my next trip to Kona.  
 

I'd give a 5 to each and every category (for our survey 1-5 rating).  I truly enjoyed my fishing time and id love to go again.  Thanks
 

Thank you for all of your support with our recent "shark hunt". Tiger and his crew were very knowledgable and helpfull. It was very exciting and we caught two reef sharks, one in 2001 and the other in 2002. Also, the grand fireworks show view from off shore Waikiki was spectacular!
 

Just a note about our trip with the "Magic". It was indeed a "magic time" for us. We shared a wonderful time and, even though we did not catch much, the father \ son experience was one we will never forget!  Sometimes a fishing trip is not measured by the number or size of fish you catch. In this case, because David had such a wonderful first time experience, he is "hooked" for life.
 

I would just like to thankyou for the opportunity of fishing hawaii, it was a great experience and great fun if I ever get back there I will go again and have recommended you guys to heaps of friends.
  

Hi...in response to your survey..I rate all categories a BIG 5...captain russ, and his crew, Cy, and Eric, were top shelf guys...we had a great time!...I think they made every efoort to put us on some fish, and we were out longer thatn we suspected...despite only two dolphin to show for it, it was a great day..I would certainly fish with you folks again, as well as reccomend you to freinds, however, next time, I might like to fish from another island....Thank you for the great service, and the follow up...ill get my freinds and myself a T shirt..!
 

It was worth every penny as a matter of fact, my friend is going to Hawaii next October so I told him that he must book this fishing trip.  Service 5, effort 5 (out of 5) go again--without a doubt.   The skipper and crew were great I had a great time the only thing that would be better is a longer time out maybe 10pm-3am.  When we come out again I WILL book with you.  Thank you keep up the great work.  I will tell everyone to check you out when they go to Hawaii keep in touch.
 

In response to our customer service survey:   How was the fishing? The fishing was great, could have been better, but we did catch two blue marlins so I really can't complain.  More importantly, how was the service? The service was excellent, I could not ask for any better service.  Were the skipper and crew helpful? The skipper & crew were extremelly helpful as well as friendly.  Did you feel you given every opportunity to catch a fish? I feel we were given every chance to catch fish, It was a slow day (which sometimes occur) until we were almost ready to go in when we hooked up with two blue marlin.  The crew tried all day to hook us up & finally did.  A+. 

If you would fish in Hawaii, would you use our service again? (why or why not)  Yes, you will be hearing from me next time I am in the islands.  I will be sure to use you for all our future charter needs, etc.   Would you recommend us to others? (why or why not)  I would & infact have recommended you to others.  I will continue to do so.  You are a tip-top opperation & I appreciate the excellent service.  THANKS!
 

Sorry we never responded to your customer service follow-up. We thoroughly enjoyed both charters that we set up through your company and in each instance we were treated to excellent service and care. Our skippers and deck hands on both outings went out of there way to not only make us feel welcome and comfortable but did everything to make it possible for us to have a good catch and experience. We would definitely set up another charter with your company when we return to Maui and would even want the same skippers. We give you company 5's in every category. Thank you once again for a good time!
 

Greetings Mike & Kathy,
Just wanted to drop you a brief line to say thanks.  We went fishing on the "Magic" out of Oahu on OCT 2, 2001 (which you set up for us).     The fishing was amazing, the boat as well as the equipment was immaculate, both the skipper (Russell) and deckhand (Eric) were extremely knowledgeable as well as friendly.  The high point of the day for me was catching my first Blue Marlin weighing in at 168 pounds.  It was a terrific time & I just wanted to say thanks for hooking me up with Russell & the "Magic".  I will be sure to use you for our future charter needs.
 

I had a great time. The captain, crew and boat were first rate...There is not a better was to book a trip.
 

This is in response to your survey request for our charter in August. We had absolutely perfect weather, glass for seas and the boat (Marlin Mischief) was terrific. My wife had never caught a fish before and one hour out, she pulled in a 200 lb. Blue Marlin. That alone made it worthwhile and we were just about to start heading back in when it was my turn. Mine , Rick guessed, was around 275 lbs/126 inches. It turns out that we were the only boat out of Lahina that day that caught fish, having the two flags flying. One of the other charters was close by that day and saw mine come out of the water 7 times. I'm sure that their gang was sick.  We did our best to videotape the events and have a little bit of decent video. My wife did a better job of getting mine skimming across the top of the water, going side to side. I got the fish halfway to the boat and out he went again. My only suggestion, and I have no idea how difficult it would be,  would be for the boats to install some sort of wide angle video off the back. If you were lucky enough to hook something, it would be the keepsake of a lifetime for most of us. Kinda like the helicopter rides provide for you. I would have paid a ton of money for it. It could be edited just for the exciting parts and then sold. I am curious of one thing I bet you can answer for me, we tagged and released both of our Marlins. Any idea how long it takes for them to provide the certificates?  Finally, it was without a doubt, the coolest thing I've ever done and you guys do it all the time. I'm jealous. We'll be back.
 

Our skipper, Tom Christy, utilized his years of knowledge and experience in providing excellent service and interesting conversation, in a comfortable and friendly manner.   The boat suited the area that we fished very well and had no mechanical problems. The individual seats were comfortable, but not being experienced boaters, were hesitant to shift positions to not rock the boat too much. The fishing rods and reels were of excellent quality and condition. I saw that Tom was deligent in maintaining his equipment. His supply of assorted fishing lures was very impresive.

Tom made every effort for us to catch fish and constantly made lure changes to fit the area his thought the fish would be in. He demonstrated his skill by making some difficult casts for us under trees and luckly, he could stop short of hooking the fish himself and handing the rod to one of us. We appreciate his efforts to catch live bait prior to our fishing trip to help insure our success.  The only unrealistic flaw with the boat was that it could not provide shade as relief from the unrelenting sun that mid-moring and afternoon.

Your service was excellent, with communication back and forth easily accessible. On that particular trip to Kauai, we would have been interested in a trout fishing tour also, but unfortunately, it was not availbable. We did try it on our own but were not successful in catching trout.
 

I have nothing but high praise concerning the fishing trip I chartered on 8/23 past. On all of your categories, I give a "High Five", and if it were possible, I'd give higher for effort! Unfortunately, we didn't catch a Marlin, as an Ono took half of the baitfish, but the persistence of the Captain and Mate managed to get us a few Aku. I have, and will still recommend Sportfish Hawaii to anyone looking for a delightful fishing trip, and If I ever make it back to the islands, I will definately plan another charter.
 

We had a great time on our charter. The only possible complaint was that we didn't catch a huge marlin, but I know that's not the captain's fault. The boat was spotless, the crew was friendly, and the captain looked all over trying to find us some fish. We finally caught a 15 lb skipjack tuna, so we didn't go away empty-handed. I would give everything a 5 and would definitely fish there again. We would wholeheartedly recommend your services to anyone. Thanks for a great day. We hope to be back someday soon and will contact you if we are.
 

The combination of the great fishing and scenery make it a great experience. I will definitely fish again if I make it back to Hawaii. I had a great time with Tom and he worked hard to put us on some peacocks! I would definitely fish with him again if I make it back.   The service was great, Tom was very entertaining and friendly, and the fishing was exceptional.
 

We took our first fishing trip on the Magic this year. We are HOOKED. We caught 17 fish, including three marlin. It included a double sweep. We needed one more mahi-mahi to have a triple sweep. Russell Tanaka was great.
 

Icould catch some peacock bass by Tom's advise. I had good time and enjoyed fishing in Hawaii. Thank you very much.
 

I am sorry that it took so long to return your e-mail but I just got back from a two-week salmon fishing trip. That trip was enjoyable but our biggest fish, a 26 lb salmon, did not compare to the 100 plus lb fish we caught off the Eclipse.

My experience aboard the Eclipse was nothing but fabulous. The objective of the fishing trip was to get old friends that are scattered across the continental US, together for what is probably one last shared adventure. That objective was more than met with the bonus that we each caught a fish that weighed over 100lbs. Our, three Marlin, one Ono, and an Ahi tuna were spread out over a three-day period that saw action each and every day. It was my responsibility to charter the boat and captain. Everyone repeatedly complemented me on my choice. The boat, Eclipse, was clean, looked almost new, considering it is some 30 years old, and the equipment functioned perfectly.

The captain and crew stressed safety at all times. They were educational, helpful, and entertaining. Many fishing and hunting stories were swapped between captain, crew, and passengers. The captain and crew made us feel as if we were part of the family. The captain released the Marlin, as per our requests. The captain flayed the Ono and Ahi for us. He arranged to have the Ono, and Ahi cooked for us at the Petroleum Café. The remaining fish he froze for transport back to the mainland. This kind of service goes above anything we have every experienced. Please tell captain Billy that the Ahi fed most of my neighbors and to a person they said it is the best fish they have eaten. Tell Gilbert that I hope he has a successful pig-hunting trip this fall and I will be thinking about him while deer hunting. 

In summary we all had a great time. Hawaii was of course Hawaii, like no other place, but the most memorable part of the trip will be the fishing experience and camaraderie enjoyed aboard the Eclipse. Your recommendation of hotels, Uncle Billy’s was to our liking. The rooms were clean, the hotel is centrally located and the price was within our budget. In addition you made car and airline reservation for me. Would I recommend the Eclipse and your service to other people? I have already. Would I return to Hawaii to fish again? I plan on it, either next year or the following year. Would I use your service again? I certainly plan to.