The Hawaiian Needlefish, or aha, has been implicated in several stabbing incidents, a few fatal. They tend to leap out of the water with their beak open, slashing anything in their path. Those stabbed by the aha have found teeth in their infected wound. I hate when they bite my lure or bait and I try to let them tire out before they get within range of assaulting me. The big ones, called Blue Bone because they actually have blue bones, can be chunked and fried but I’m happy enough just to shake them off and set ’em free.
In this video, a little aha is about to ram my kayak but the landing net’s webbing intercepts it. You can see that it had opened its mouth and is angrily slashing. It clamps down on the webbing and doesn’t let go until I remove the hook from its jaw. Good thing I had taken my foot out of the water. They do make a few high speed initial runs and somersault all over the place. Poor man’s marlin indeed but can leave a nasty wound.
Great video on how to, Iʻve caught smaller ones than this one and always wondered how guys dealt with unhooking these guys. But what I really wanted to ask you was where did you get that pic of Charleyʻs fishing supply? lol Was that on Keeaumoku Street originally? I vaguely remember it being on some kind of a corner lot store. Thanks for the memories.
Hey Kelly S., not to be confused with the other Kelly that goes SUP fishing with me. I found that antique photo of Charley’s on their Facebook page. I’m waiting for them to send me their logo instead but maybe I should keep that photo for nostalgic purposes?
Yes, the shop was on Keeaumoku not too far up from Ala Moana. I went there a few times as a kid and can remember the glass counters with the lead and hooks inside the counter, stored in wooden partitioned boxes.
Have you been fish gathering?
-scott
They are a pain. I use a wire leader when they are biting,now, because they take my lure 3 out of 4 times if I don’t..Fun to catch though.
Hi Warren,
What kind of lures are being taken by aha? When I lose lures I assume kaku are the culprit but maybe aha are cutting the line too? They definitely scratch up my hard lures and mangle my oama.
-scott
Aha is grinds. small kind a pain in the okole though … 🙂
Pain to clean or pain to land and bring home without getting poked? I hate those slimy, spearing fish!