Question? Coral Reef Fishing

[rw8167]

Hi, I am a local of Hawaii who was born and raised here. My dad used to take me fishing when I was young. I used to love to go bamboo pole fishing for manini, hinalea, and those those other reef fishes. I had so much fun doing that. We used to go to Mokulei'a side and he used to float me over a coral reef on a raft and I used to have a ball with my bamboo pole and floater and just bringing those fish up one by one. Well, here is my question. Now my son has come of age to experience that same type of fishing but problem is I don't know where to take him. I would preferably want him to just sit on a pier and bamboo pole fish since he is very young yet. People have told me to take him out on a jetty in Haleiwa or the Waianae Boat Harbor but I don't want him falling between those big boulders and getting hurt. Do you know of any good locations where it is safe and he can experience that type of bamboo pole fishing. I would be forever grateful to anhyone who can give me a list of places just so that he can enjoy bamboo fishing for his first time. Thanks so much in advance!

[CMonster01]

My father did the same for me when we had more fish on the reefs. Here is where I took my kids to get them familiar with fish and fishing: (1) the concrete jetty by 1st lifeguard station between the area they show the movies (with beach volleyball area) and the next concession/bathroom structure Diamond Head side in Waikiki. You can try feeding the fish there (I don't catch there) with white bread (make sure it's white). Fish congregate better facing back towards Waikiki as opposed to Diamond Head side of the jetty. Typically you can show them nenue, humus (the colorful kind) and o'ios hitting the bread. (2) If you want to catch little fish, try Heiakea pier or Makai pier. White bread is a good chum for them as well. Don't suggest using bloody/oily chums, unless you want to start seeing unfriendly creatures. Every once in a while Heiakea has akule in the area as well, but that is at night. (3) Used to catch tilapia at Ala Moana park at the canals with bread, which is a sure fire thing, but not very colorful fish there. (4) I used to go to Kewalo basin side of Ala Moana Park (by the old research station - bait often balls up there right by the corner) and the other side of it in the park by John Dominis, but I don't like the way that place changed now. Strange folks often there. Not too great for kids, but perhaps you can use your fatherly instincts there. Too many people now on Ala Wai side of Ala Moana park now, so I don't like there now either. Hope this helps.

[shinchan]

Ok, here are a few places:
1) Behind Ilikai hotel in Ala Wai harbor- lots of tilapia there, watch out kids get bored after having caught a few dozen or so (when they're hungry...) and get jaded the next time you go out. Use white bread and no sinker or float- its sight feeding hookups. The curved side with the pipe railings just before the road to the ramp is where we go. Bathroom right there so it's convient. There's also lots of aholehole under/near the small bridge there and under the bigger rock near shore- good bait for the barracuda that hang out there. You'll also see some mamo, weke, balloon fish and the occasional kagami/white papio. Bring some pliers and a towel or you'll have tilapia crap (they pee/crap when you grab 'em) all over you.
I know, lovely, but, hey, its a fish....

2) Rocky area after Sandy beach- not as safe as a pier but lots of little pools close to shore that have hinalea, kupipi, mamo, humuhumu etc. My sons like to catch the small gobies in the tiny pools- he'll catch the same one over and over.... Use ika (last longer than shrimp) and a split shot. You can fish right near shore in the moving water and catch lots of stuff. Last time we were there I was pointing out a moray that came up to check out our bait and a turtle passed right over him- in 2 feet of water. Plus if they get bored you can look for shells/opihi, dig for crabs, catch sand turtles, go swimming, dig holes, make sand castles etc....More fun than a pier IMHO.

3) Might be too late now but if you get a chance on the next opening-sign up for cat fishing in Nuuanu. Good family fishing place. Just cast out (dunk) and polefish for the tilipia/cichlids there. Great fun- I invited 6 of my (2) son's friends and had a tililpia fishing derby complete with prizes (gift cards from McD's, Game Stop etc) and a fishing trophy(from Trophy House) for most fish followed by prizes for biggest, smallest, ugliest etc. Everyone won something and is sort of a regular thing with us-we just pass the trophy from family to family. Makes the kids real competitive but everyone has fun.

4) Ok, this is not fishing but reef walking. Find a minus tide(-.2 or more) on a dark moon night and go torching(reef walking) at night. You just need old shoes, a bright light(we use dive lights), a bucket and a couple of scoop nets. You just walk slowly along the shore in 1-2 feet of water and look for fish, crabs etc. We go near the old research station at Ala Moana starting from the sandy area going to the breakwall but there are lots of other places. You'll see all kinds of stuff- white eels, night tako, weke, hermit crabs, weird shells and nudibranchs. We just scoop 'em up and put 'em in a bucket, check 'em out and release 'em. Try it, it's fun and they get to see stuff that few people see.

Anyway PM me if you have questions.
Have fun, Randy

[moiman]

Howzit Ryan,
I live in mililani also. Take him to nuuanu resevoir. He will have a blast hooking talapia all day. You have to sign up though. Just go to any tackle shop and ask for an application. They will send you a notice of what day and time you can go. Also have to get a freshwater fishing license. You can go for channel and chinese cats. Got some big buggas in there!!

[rw8167]

Thanks so much Randy! I really appreciated you taking the time to answer my question! Your response was very helpful! My son thanks you also!

Ryan

[rw8167]

Thanks to you to Marshall! I appreciated it!

Ryan

[rw8167]

Thanks alot Clifford! Man, all you guys really went out of your way to respond! I printed each of your responses so all that is left now is to take my son out to these places! He'll have alot of fun!

Ryan