November 29, 2022

Maui Bottom Fishing 101

Fishing on Maui can be a blast, especially when casting a line near shore waters. Ideal for the whole family, bottom fishing requires zero skill and is a terrific alternative to deep sea charters. If you’re new to the sport, “bottom fishing” is done with the boat anchored–typically in distinct locations where the waters are rife with wrasse, jacks, goatfish, and other species. The benefit of bottom fishing charters is two-fold: since most of the action is close to shore, there is more time dedicated to reeling in a big one, and the waters are usually calmer. Also, while most bottom fishing species are in the 2 to 10-pound range, there’s always a chance of landing a 40-pound grouper or Jack Trevally.

Bottom fishing charters stay closer to shore

Maui charter companies generally report higher success rates with bottom fishing trips than offshore fishing. And since you’re never venturing too far out, bottom fishing is more suitable for younger children or those without their “sea legs.” There are private or shared charters that leave out of Maalaea and Lahaina, and lucky anglers will be able to keep and devour most of their day’s catches. The crew will identify those that are protected or inedible.

Some of the best bottom fishing spots favored by captains are just a 10 to 15-minute jaunt from Maui’s picture-perfect shores. The one thing to note about the Hawaiian Islands is there are a lot of valleys, mountains, hills, and different layout of the land that’s underwater. This can vary the depth of the water in places that you can go two miles out and you’ll only be in 40 ft of water. That’s what making fishing here in Hawaii so much fun.

Once you reach your spot, the boat is stopped and allowed to drift over the reef or other structure while the lines go out. Most recreational trips will focus on shallow bottom fishing in about 60-160 feet of water. Bait can be artificial lures, dead sardines, or squid.

What types of species do you catch bottom fishing?

Some of the more common catches include:

Jack Trevally, known as “Papio” if less than 10 pounds or “Ulua” if heavier. Jack is a local favorite and often featured in Hawaiian cuisine.
Gray Snapper, also known as “Uku,” is a real treat to catch and eat.
Barracudas are often caught shore casting but can also be found on bottom fishing tours
Hawaiian hogfish, a type of wrasse called “A’awa,” has an elongated snout and vibrant yellow colors
Goatfish are a popular dinnertime staple in Hawaii and are abundant in coastal waters. They are often caught near rocky areas or near coral heads.

Gear Up Before Hitting the Water

No matter where you are casting a line, an often-overlooked piece of gear is quality fishing sunglasses to help protect against ultraviolet rays. Maui Jim sunglasses feature patented PolarizedPlus2® color enhancing lens technology that blocks 100 percent of UVB/UVA radiation without dampening color. Our polarized sunglasses eliminate eyestrain and enhance depth perception. Designed specifically for fishing near shore and far, Maui Jim polarized sunglasses give anglers a definite advantage.