But don't be lulled to sleep trolling around this seductive ocean destination. The most energetic, outrageous, and monstrous blue marlin in the world's oceans continue to overwhelm veteran Big Game Fishing teams with the very best-laid plans, modern tackle, and custom wooden boats year-after-year on the Kona Coast.

These converging super nutrients sustain both the great pelagic fish of west Hawaii and a most advanced BioSecure Zone vitamin and antioxidant corporation located at Keāhole Point. This humongous island and diverging currents force pristine cold water and essential minerals far up to persistent sunlight and starlight forming the potent blooms of phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass. Thriving by day and night, this lively gyre of upwelling nutrients and vast oceanic microbiome gorge the entire food chain from microscopic plankton to massive apex sea creatures. Such as the elusive giant squid, mysterious sperm whales, and striking big fish!

The perennial grand fish. Easy access to vast calm fishing grounds. Ability to fish high-potential waters over 300 days a year. Nearby fragrant, cool, lofty mountain slopes where natural sleep is easy every night. And a belly full of fresh fish and sweet and savory Big Island treats while chilling in a tropical rain forest high above a very secure harbor with green flash sunsets and Aloha Spirit community are some of the many special ingredients that make Kona Hawaii the epicenter for high adventure and Big Game Fishing records. Both: personal records and IGFA World Records.

Easy... Hana Hou,
Aloha Doc

HAWAII

GRANDERS UNIVERSITY

REEL BIG FISH 808-747-6758

The Hawaiian Islands are a Big Game Fishing haven. Especially along the Kona Coast where the deepest ocean currents upwell nutrients toward light creating miles of shimmering plankton-rich surface slicks throughout the calmest fishing grounds known.

This very deep indigo, calm place is known as God's Pond.

Molten lava rock from Kilauea churned up deep-sea nutrients feeding a massive phytoplankton bloom.
CAPE KUMUKAHI, HAWAII

G R A N D E R S

Giant Black or Blue Marlin represent the most ambitious and highly respected angling experience.

“GRANDERS”, a fish weighing 1,000+ pounds, are the mark of excellence for a truly striking catch!

HAWAII GRANDERS CAUGHT BY ISLAND

HAWAII GRANDERS
CAUGHT BY MONTH
MONTHLY TOTALS:
DATE - WEIGHT - CAPTAIN/ ANGLER - LOCATION

Grander History

JANUARY: 10

01/15/2013 1008 Ernie France Kona, Hawaii

01/07/2012 1040.5 Paul Morris Kona, Hawaii

01/30/1992 1143 Pat Smith and Andrea Stamiforth Kona, Hawaii

01/10/1992 1161 Yasuo Takahashi Kona, Hawaii

01/20/1974 1170 Bobby Brown Kona, Hawaii

01/12/1988 1202 Chris Kam and Randy Marks Kaneohe, Oahu

01/30/2000 1213 Daisuke Yamazaki Kona, Hawaii

01/01/1986 1229 Richard Hartom Kona, Hawaii

01/00/2010 1245 Marvin Bethune Oahu

01/05/1979 1450 Cyril and Paul Burgoyne Kona, Hawaii

FEBRUARY: 5

02/28/1986 1016 John Davis Kona, Hawaii

02/18/2015 1058 Kai Rizzuto Kona, Hawaii

02/10/1992 1140 John Eddy Maui (JJ-buoy)

02/25/1978 1143.5 Ray Bayner and Paul Chiakas Kona, Hawaii

02/16/1997 1230 Isaac Kaialau Waianae, Oahu

MARCH: 21

03/28/1989 1000 Del Marsh Kona, Hawaii

03/11/2007 1011 Tim Rupli Kona, Hawaii

03/19/2006 1012 Wayne Watanabe South of O'ahu

03/31/1982 1012.5 Pat Wond, Mitchell Meyer and Ricardo Rellin Waianae, Oahu

03/25/1960 1014 Jim Schultz Kona, Hawaii

03/05/2001 1015 Tori Hesedahl Kahe Power Plant, Oahu

03/21/2015 1040.7 Rex Koga Kaneohe, Oahu

03/16/2006 1049 Tommy Werner Kona, Hawai'i

03/12/1989 1053 Jimmy Akiona Sr. Kona, Hawaii

03/31/2008 1056 Matt Prater Kona, Hawaii

03/13/2011 1062 Garrett Handwork Kona, Hawaii

03/05/1989 1100 Ross Kawawaki and Charlie Ching Waianae, Oahu

03/30/1985 1111 Darien and Clifford Jr. Kona, Hawaii

03/07/1986 1150 Keone Hoopii Kaneohe, Oahu

03/21/1985 1188 Thomas Duarte and Del Leid Kona, Hawaii

03/27/2014 1211 Robert Steffens Kona, Hawaii

03/01/2016 1222 Capt. Eric Hawkins and First Mate Hopie Hawkins Molokai

03/25/2008 1252 Ed Noinain Kona, Hawaii

03/08/1986 1269 Jesse Masagatani and Tommy Medeiros Kaneohe, Oahu

03/16/1984 1649 Gary Merriman, Rankin Smith Jr. & Roy Imamura Kona, Hawaii

03/00/1991 1650 All of us II-buoy, Oahu

APRIL: 12

04/26/1962 1009 Fred Erickson Kona, Hawaii

04/29/2003 1014 Tosh Ervin Kona, Hawaii

04/01/1982 1032 Dirk Britton Waianae, Oahu

04/01/2002 1036 Paula Pattinson Kona, Hawaii

04/14/1992 1049 Gilbert Hun Waianae, Oahu

04/10/2010 1104 Jill and John Anderson Kona, Hawaii

04/06/2001 1115 David Wolfsen Kona, Hawaii

04/20/1990 1120 Mickey Waddoups Kona, Hawaii

04/22/1985 1168 Scott Preece Kona, Hawaii

04/08/2002 1174 Jeffrey Russell Kona, Hawaii

04/14/1978 1209 Louis Paulo Milolii, Hawaii

04/00/1977 1252 William Frando and Nathan Libarios Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

MAY: 14

05/18/2001 1021 Ramon Flores Kona, Hawaii

05/21/1990 1037 Stan Phillips and Donald Graciidis Jr. Kona, Hawaii

05/11/1979 1050 Gary Nakashima and Wesley Takazono Kaneohe, Oahu

05/25/1986 1050 David Murasaki and Ricky Urada Kona, Hawaii

05/25/2015 1058.3 Mike and Kendall Michaelis Manele Bay, Lanai

05/05/1995 1067 Sandy Haught Barber's Point, Oahu

05/30/1964 1095 Henry Chee Kona, Hawaii

05/25/1979 1100 Dennis Kunahisa and Crew Haleiwa, Oahu

05/23/1967 1100 Willie Erickson Kona, Hawaii

05/20/2005 1132.5 Jeff Van Hove Kona, Hawaii

05/00/1994 1207 Al Bento South Shore, Oahu

05/26/2015 1226 Dean Lemman Kona, Hawaii

05/31/1982 1376 Jay DeBeaubien Kona, Hawaii

05/05/1990 1400 Roy Hudson Kona, Hawaii

JUNE: 20

06/00/1994 1007 Vivian Kekahuna and Larry Ho Kaneohe, Oahu

06/15/1978 1040 Mike Benham Kona, Hawaii

06/26/1999 1048 Rudy Basmayor Kona, Hawaii

06/13/1993 1051 Chris Robb Kona, Hawaii

06/05/2009 1064 Tim O'Halloran Kona, Hawaii

06/00/1972 1070 Capt. Mike DeRego Honolulu, Oahu

06/09/1991 1082 Greg Bridler Kona, Hawaii

06/25/1987 1103 Kelly Everette Kona, Hawaii

06/28/1994 1109 Drew Richardson and David Harvey Kona, Hawaii

06/00/1977 1117 Rik Jones Kona, Hawaii

06/01/2009 1140 Daniel Fuchigami Lanai

06/30/1987 1153 Stan Sack Kona, Hawaii

06/26/2002 1178 Armando Pacheco and Ryan Wilson Haleiwa, Oahu

06/23/2001 1190 Michelle Kobayashi Hilo, Hawaii

06/10/1984 1195 Don and Joan Taylor Kona, Hawaii

06/17/1995 1212 Ivan Mochida Hilo, Hawaii

06/18/2011 1236 Bill Risso, Kenny Risso and Miles Iwasaki Kaneohe, Oahu

06/18/1977 1350 Harry Grace Jr. Milolii, Hawaii

06/06/1992 1356 John Livingstone, Bruce Graham and Pete Miccolly Kona, Hawaii

06/10/1971 1805 Mike Wachtier, Pat Morello, Charles Lewis and Gail Choy Waianae, Oahu

JULY: 23

07/10/1962 1005 Butch Chee Kona, Hawaii

07/06/2015 1010 Capt. Paul Andrade & Crew Hilo, Hawaii

07/01/1998 1019 Daniel O'Callaghan Kona, Hawaii

07/08/1984 1020 Jimmy Tomei Waianae, Oahu

07/18/2007 1026.4 Mike Bixler, Jim Bierd and Michael Skaggs Lahaina, Maui

07/29/2017 1032 Kalei-pua Team Waianae, Oahu

07/19/1999 1041 Mark Wilby Kona, Hawaii

07/03/2013 1043 Steve Spina Kona, Hawaii

07/12/2001 1045 Barrett O'Donnell Kona, Hawaii

07/01/1984 1055 Lloyd Toriano Kona, Hawaii

07/22/1985 1060 Herman Gomes and John Langsi Kona, Hawaii

07/14/2018 1073 Steven Yamasaki Makahuena, Kauai

07/05/1978 1088 Vaughn Miyauchi Kona, Hawaii

07/19/2003 1089 Cory Vellalos Hale'iwa, O'ahu

07/30/2012 1092 Stacy, Kelly, Elijah & Denver Waianae, Oahu

07/01/1979 1112 Walter Koyanagi Kona, Hawaii

07/27/1995 1144 Mike Banks Kona, Hawaii

07/20/1988 1171 Ron Walker and Walt Mahoney Jr. Kona, Hawaii

07/00/2001 1200 Leonard Huddy Waianae, Oahu

07/19/1980 1205 Bill and Brad Brontseme and Frank Di Donna Kona, Hawaii

07/06/2003 1258.5 Miguel Koenig Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

07/03/1988 1299 Steve Aoki Kona, Hawaii

07/28/2015 1368 Guy Kitaoka Kona, Hawaii

AUGUST: 13

08/08/1997 1008 Chuck Blesso Nawiliwili, Kauai

08/16/1994 1010 Walter Uza Waianae, Oahu

08/18/2012 1022 Molly Palmer Kona, Hawaii

08/21/2012 1024 Wayne Thompson & Robert Weidenger Waianae, Oahu

08/28/1987 1050 James Celestino Waianae, Oahu

08/07/2000 1053 Jeffery McLaughlin Kona, Hawaii

08/08/1986 1062 Gil Kraemer Kona, Hawaii

08/12/2003 1065.5 Mike Nesbitt & Drew Bradley Miloli'i, Big Island

08/18/2015 1075 Brent Nelson Kona, Hawaii

08/03/2002 1118 Reese Randall Lanai, Hawaii

08/09/2001 1140 Kerwin Masunaga Kona, Hawaii

08/19/1993 1166 Ray Hawkes Kona, Hawaii

08/26/2015 1309 Michael Bilich Kona, Hawaii

SEPTEMBER: 10

09/07/1991 1019 Frank Barone Kona, Hawaii

09/05/1985 1058 Bob Leggio Kona, Hawaii

09/00/1993 1077 Frieder Boeck and Fred Patricio Kaneohe, Oahu

09/09/1975 1090 Coates Cobb Adams Sr. Kaneohe, Oahu

09/08/1965 1148 Bob Unger Kona, Hawaii

09/17/1985 1183 Steve and Sue Gibbons Kona, Hawaii

09/25/1978 1257 Robert H. Waryas Kona, Hawaii

09/13/1983 1265 Hunter Clawson Milolii, Hawaii

09/03/2003 1299 Gary Largo and Nasario Quemado Jr. Waianae, Oahu

09/26/1980 1319 Chuck Sullivan Kona, Hawaii

OCTOBER: 4

10/25/1997 1101 Andrew Mau North Shore, Molokai

10/25/1997 1106 Rodney Kam North Shore, Molokai

10/29/1993 1199 Doug Jorgensen Lahaina, Maui

10/02/1993 1277 Ron Foo Kewalo, Oahu

NOVEMBER: 3

11/13/1954 1002 George Parker Hawaii-Kai, Oahu

11/11/1998 1148 Mike Contreras Port Allen, Kauai

11/01/1996 1174 Paul Ortiz and Chris Cena Kewalo, Oahu

DECEMBER: 3

12/29/2000 1070 John "L.J." Benson and Mark Perkins Kaneohe, Oahu

12/28/1994 1165 Ken Cort Kona, Hawaii

12/16/1988 1477 Gary Silva Kaneohe, Oahu

UNSPECIFIED MONTH OF CATCH: 9

1998 1000 Howard Hose Hilo, Hawaii

1981 1002 David Davidson Maui

1979 1015 Rudy Puana Kaneohe, Oahu

2012 1039.6 Johnathan Harris Maalaea, Maui

1993 1051 Capt. Bill Trotter and Ray Dela Cruz Kaneohe, Oahu

2001 1053 Tony Cordero and Leslie Cansibog Waianae, Oahu

1978 1112 Capt. Andy Anderson Honolulu, Oahu

1979 1150 Jimmy Fernandez Kaneohe, Oahu

1987 1157 Donnita Hamilton Nanakuli, Oahu

HAWAIIAN GRANDERS

LISTED IN ASCENDING ORDER BY WEIGHT

1002 lbs. 1981 David Davidson Maui

David Davidson caught his 1002-lb blue while aboard the OHANA KAI. It stood as the Maui County record until February 10, 1992 when it was beaten by a 1140-lb blue.

1000 lbs. 03/28/1989 Del Marsh Kona, Hawaii

This was the second grander of 1989 and the honors fell to Capt. Steve Kaiser and angler Del Marsh on the MEDUSA.

1002 lbs. 11/13/1954 George Parker Hawaii-Kai, Oahu

George Parker caught the first 1,000-lb blue marlin in the Pacific Ocean while trolling 5 miles off the shore of Oahu on his boat the MONA H. The marlin struck a lure that George had made using a towel rack. George battled the marlin on 80-lb test line, then fought the IGFA for 5 years until they recognized the fish as a blue, not a black, marlin. George's wife Mona was pregnant with a son when George caught his fish and they named the baby Marlin. Marlin Parker grew up and has caught granders of his own.

1000 lbs. 1998 Howard Hose Hilo, Hawaii

achi Hose captained the VALERIE H as Howard Hose manned their 130-class Penn International reel. The big marlin ate an 8-lb aku they'd used for bait. The marlin was stored at Suisan Fish Auction for two days before being weighed. When it was placed on the scales, it weighed 999 lbs but was clearly over 1,000 lbs upon capture and even registered scales have an accepted variance of 1 lb at this weight.

1005 lbs. 07/10/1962 Butch Chee Kona, Hawaii

Capt. Charles Ani was piloting the MALIA when he raised a grander behind the boat. Butch Chee had the honor of fighting the monster marlin.

HAWAIIAN GRANDERS

LISTED IN ASCENDING ORDER BY WEIGHT

1) WEIGHT DATE ANGLER LOCATION

1000 lbs. 1998 Howard Hose Hilo, Hawaii

Sachi Hose captained the VALERIE H as Howard Hose manned their 130-class Penn International reel. The big marlin ate an 8-lb aku they'd used for bait. The marlin was stored at Suisan Fish Auction for two days before being weighed. When it was placed on the scales, it weighed 999 lbs but was clearly over 1,000 lbs upon capture and even registered scales have an accepted variance of 1 lb at this weight.

2) WEIGHT DATE ANGLER LOCATION

1000 lbs. 03/28/1989 Del Marsh Kona, Hawaii

This was the second grander of 1989 and the honors fell to Capt. Steve Kaiser and angler Del Marsh on the MEDUSA.

3) WEIGHT DATE ANGLER LOCATION

1002 lbs. 11/13/1954 George Parker Hawaii-Kai, Oahu

4) WEIGHT DATE ANGLER LOCATION

1002 lbs. 1981 David Davidson Maui

David Davidson caught his 1002-lb blue while aboard the OHANA KAI. It stood as the Maui County record until February 10, 1992 when it was beaten by a 1140-lb blue.

5) WEIGHT DATE ANGLER LOCATION

1005 lbs. 07/10/1962 Butch Chee Kona, Hawaii

Capt. Charles Ani was piloting the MALIA when he raised a grander behind the boat. Butch Chee had the honor of fighting the monster marlin.

06/00/19941007Vivian Kekahuna and Larry HoKaneohe, Oahu

01/15/20131008Ernie FranceKona, Hawaii

08/08/19971008Chuck BlessoNawiliwili, Kauai

04/26/19621009Fred EricksonKona, Hawaii

08/16/19941010Walter UzaWaianae, Oahu

07/06/20151010Capt. Paul Andrade & CrewHilo, Hawaii

03/11/20071011Tim RupliKona, Hawaii

03/19/20061012Wayne WatanabeSouth of O'ahu

03/31/19821012.5Pat Wond, Mitchell Meyer and Ricardo RellinWaianae, Oahu