Hawaiibassfishing Forum

Hello all! I’m heading to Oahu next week for work, and plan on bringing some gear with me. The prospect of hooking up with a Peacock has got me excited! I’ll be working until about 4:30 each day, but will be close to Lake Wilson and hope to wet a line or two at least a couple of days. Also thinking about fishing near the hotel (Waikiki). I heard I can hook up with a barracuda in the Ala Wai… what a rush! Want to make best use of my time, so hoping you all could help me out! Well, here goes the list of questions:

- What time does the fishing shut down? I won’t be out until around 4:30 and want to make sure I’m not wasting my time heading out to the lake.
- Where are the best places to fish from shore (boat won’t fit in the suitcase ).
- What gear should I bring? I’m planning on a couple of spinning setups (medium 10# and UL 4#) with some plastic jerk baits, roadrunners, and cranks. What am I missing? I don’t want to deal with live bait in the hotel.
- Any fish/critters I should be careful of? I have a set of lippers for the toothy ones.
- What saltwater fishing should I be sure to hit?
- Are there any bait shops in the area?

I know that I will need to get a license (7-day visitor should do) with a permit.

Thanks in advance for the time. I’ll be sure to write up my experience for any others that may benefit!

Hey SY, I'll be visiting Oahu as well and I'm still learning...but I can regurgitate some of what I've learned so far...

Your spinning outfit is good for peacock bass. It will also be good for the small white trevally and small barracuda at Ala Wai canal. If I were you, I'd put on a 15lb fluorocarbon leader for the barracuda...but that's just me...

Um...I'm not sure if 4:30 is too late for peacocks...but since they are a warm water fish, late afternoon may put them into an active mood (I think I remember reading reports where the action absolutely heated up in late afternoon *excuse the pun*).

The lures for freshwater is adequate. Toss in a couple of small spinnerbaits and maybe a few 2-3" senkos and you should be set.

For saltwater, use the medium to cast around. Use lures like 1-3" plastic grubs on either a jig head or an egg sinker rig. You should be able to catch a variety of fish using plastic grubs, including goatfish, trevally, barracuda being the most common. If you are luck, maybe even a bonefish or a threadfin. You can also get some Kastmasters spoons in 1/2 to 1oz size and cast them around.

If you like to use a bit of bait, buy some shrimp or squid. Either use chunks of shrimps or whole shrimp. The squid can be cut into thing strips. These two baits are pretty easy to store in the beer fridge in the hotel LOL.

I heard that the Waikiki beach front produce a few fish in the morning and evening before the tourists gets into the water...so give it a try.

For bait shops in the area, I'll leave it to the locals on the board.

Have fun!

Ken

This is what I have learned from the helpful users of this forum. I hope it will be of as much use to you as it was for me.
1: The saltwater bite does not shut down. All that happens is that you catch different species of fish. I do not know about the lake.
2: Look for fish or bait balls. The water is generally clear enough for you to see the fish you want to catch or the bait ball. If the water is murky look for bait that is jumping. Also look for structure like tree roots, points, drop offs, holes, or rocks. This will work in the lake and in the ocean.
3: Any gear that works for bass in your home lakes including spinning gear from 6lb to 10lb test will be fine in both types of water. Also bring heavy flourocarbon leaders if you are fishing in areas with alot of structure, or if you are fishing for cuda to prevent bite offs.
As for lures bring minnow baits and topwaters in the 2in-4in range. These will also work in the ocean for papio and cudas.
4: Nothing that I know of in the lake, but look into the fish's mouth to make sure there are no teeth to shred your hand. In the ocean use the grippers and needlenos pliers to get out the hooks if you catch a cuda. I have been bitten by a barracuda before (thankfully a small one) and those teeth are very sharp and leave very painful cuts.
5: Not too sure what you mean, but if you want areas try near the Ala Wai golfcourse. Near your hotel will probably do just fine.
6: Brian's Fishing supply. You can thank Stan Wright for this one.
I hope this helps and if you need any more help just post it here.

Thanks for all the help folks! I like the idea about the fluoro leaders... I'll be sure to pick up some of the heavy stuff before I head out. I'll also add the jig 'n grub box to the mess.

One more question that did come up though. I was reading here that one needs a PFD to fish the reservoir. Is that for boat traffic only, or do shore fishermen need them. Seems silly if they do...

Also, can I get a Wahiawa Reservoir permit at Brian's on a Sunday night? If not there, is there anywhere I can get one Sunday evening?

Thanks again for all the help. Any more tips out there???

I have not fished in the afternoon for a while, but usually for this time of the year, you can fish for peacockbass up to around 7:00pm. I think the boat ramp closes about 6:45. I think peacockbass become inactive at night. You can still catch bass and catfish at night but that would be kind of dangerous.

The fish you have to be careful of is the pongee. They have sharp teeth, powerful jaws, very slippery and strong. Once they put the death grip on your plug, it is history, you will not be able to use it. I think red devils have teeth too. Another critter you need to watch out for are the mosquitoes. They will eat you up. Bring repellent.

EVERYONE who goes to the lake needs a pfd, including shoreline fisherman.

Saltwater fishing see www.ulua-fishing.com. Wear plenty of sunscreen.

Baitshop... for freshwater people seem to go to the pet shop to get feeder fish but I think the dnlr does like people doing this. Some tackle shops have saltwater bait like Roy's or Hana paa.

I got my permit at Sports Authority. I do not know what time they close. Another place to try is Walmart. I would call in advance, sometimes they run out!!!!???????

Good luck and enjoy your stay.

T-minus 24 hrs and counting. Thanks for all the tips... I found a place to rent a PFD so should be okay there.

Aloha... maybe I'll see some of y'all out there!