Fat Cows on Lahaina Harbor Docks

[Ono Noah]

Lahaina Docks, Maui
Sunday, 8-24-08

Aloha Folks!

Ono Noah excited to bring you the catch of the past few days here in Lahaina, Maui.

It has been an unbelievable few days of fishing.

On Thursday, 8-21-08, I arose early in the morning en route to what would become one of the best days of fishing I have ever had. Captain Mark Davis 'Beefy' and Captain Steve Lambert 'Skillet' met up with me down at the harbor, there was a sense of urgency in the boys, they had a good feeling about this day. I gathered our anglers and we proceeded to leave the Harbor around 3:30 A.M. It was a bit of a journey to get out to the secret project F.A.D. (Fish Aggregation Device) located between N buoy and O buoy on the north shore of Moloka'i, but once we arrived, it was clear that we were in for a true sportfishing adventure of a lifetime.

Getting the 'grey' bite going right away, double hook-up instantly!




Who says you can't catch fish in the dark?

We landed a few nice bulls, and then proceeded to put out the 'rubber ducky', big white squid lure, proceeded to jig it until I saw a huge boil by the squid, splashing water and foam spewing everywhere, breaching tuna leaping at the squid lure. The 50 lb. shimano reel started screaming, the line was screaming off the line, the fight was on for Rob from the U.K.



The fish proved to be a ferocious fighter, Captain 'Beefy' taking over the reigns.



There were several times when that 50lb. stand-up light tackle was tested, I was absolutely amazed at the pressure Mark was putting on this fish. 'Skillet' thought the line was going to snap many times throughout the battle.

37 minutes later, there appeared to be a glimpse of the beautfiul fish breaking the surface.








We got the decks bloody then we set the lines right away and continued the hunt, jigging the squid through the same pass, again... another huge boil, and another hook up!!!!

Brian from Lake Villa, Illinois took the pole on this one, 50lb. stand-up reels for this battle, it put up quite a sporting fight.



This one was hooked up on the yellow-orange jet squid lure, what a beautiful yellowfin!

Captain Steve 'Skillet' immediately preparing the fish for the iced-down fish bag by bleeding it right away.





Not bad for a morning of fishing! We continued the troll. We hooked up a nice Ono (wahoo) going about 9 knots and landed a few more mahi on the troll as well.

Then we got back to the docks and proceeded to dangle these FAT COWS!!!!!!...




Couple of big tunas, Ono, and Mahis, loving life in paradise!



Any angler would be happy to battle fish of this quality. Rob and Brian both said to me that this was by far the best trophy fish they ever caught. Congratulations to Rob from the U.K. and Brian from Illinois.




Both fish were mounted to preserve forever the fabulous memory. Captain 'Skillet' getting the details for Gray Taxidermy.




8 Mahi Mahi, numerous Sheebs, 1 Ono, 2 Fat Ahi -- The boys came through with another fabulous day of fishing here in Lahaina, Maui.

If I could, I would like to take the time now to send my warmest Aloha and Thank You to everyone for your support on my recent reports.

Mahalo,

-Ono Noah