Hawaiibassfishing Forum

Hey there everyone. I am newer to the island... i am stationed in KBay. Now i recently found out about this freshwater lake on island and let me tell you that got me excited. Now the problem is that i have no freaking clue what to use to catch fish out this way. a lot of referances to Tucs.. not sure what that even is. Now i am an avid angler back stateside. Grew up in Missouri fishing the Lake of the Ozarks and farm ponds. I have no clue however what the fishing is like out this way. What are some popular lures. What kind of food sources are out this way. Read referances to shad... so siver or white rattle traps and rapalas... maybe some rooster tails or mepps spinners? I have no clue.. also have my Fly Rod on the way to island. What are some popular choices for flies LoL i know this is a long post and full of questions, but this is all new to me and i would like to get out and get some fishing in. Also... is there a place to rent boats for the day. Thank you for your time and any info.

Hey. Welcome to Hawaii. Tucs are what we call peacock bass here. When fishing for them, think fast and small. You will have more success with small lures retrieved very quickly. Don't even try soft plastics and slow presentations unless you are fishing specifically for largemouths, and if you do that, you are greatly reducing your chances of catching anything because the largemouths are relatively scarce, while the tucs are very plentiful.
If you are open to using live bait, a small minnow on a freeline or a bb split shot will almost always work, even when the tucs ignore all artificials.
I am no expert, but that's a little of what I know. There's a couple of master anglers here who will hopefully chime in soon. Good luck.

hello sublettejr, for fly gear I recommend the nervous waters fly shop in Kaimuki. I assume you are military, so you might be able to rent a boat at the Navcom station in Whitmore village near Wahiawa. They used to rent out boats, but that was 10 years ago. Do not forget to get your license, permit, and life preserver, they are all required when you fish Lake Wilson.

Welcome to Hawaii..... Wow, all those tourists paying big bucks to visit here, and your geting paid to live here. LOL

On the web site, somewhere, there are pictures of lures I use. Most any minnow type lure works just fine. Really.... think small and fast. Peacock bass mostly feed on small fish. As for flys, streamer flys....... Nervous Water has lots of flys and also lots of stuff to tye your own. Just ask, they can help you. Tukes really go for flys.

I know some guys who fish from kayaks. Doesn't Special Services rent those? We'll have to get you out on the lake one of these days and show you all the secret spots.

Aloha,
Stan

Hey Stan,

I’m on my way to Honolulu tomorrow and doing some last minute tying. If the weather permits, I plan to try Lake Wilson from shore with my fly rod. I do a pretty good roll-cast with a floater.

Any suggestions for Peacock fly lines. I assume you are using a sinking line? I have everything from lead core up to a Class II Integrated line.

Thanks;

Richard