I was trying to come up to speed on how to whip for halalu but couldn’t really find much info online. Why do you think that is? Too humbug to provide that, or do the halalu fishers want to keep the crowds thin?
To improve my woeful catch, I’ve asked halalu pros and the guys at the tackle shops for pointers. We’ll see if that helps next time.
How many of you guys are interested in reading those tips? Reply to this post or send me a comment and if there’s enough interest I’ll try to write up a rough Halalu Basics. Better yet, give me your halalu advice please!
thanks,
scott
I’d bet money that a sabiki rig would pull them in. Not jigged up and down but just reeled in slowly. I’ll send you a few if you want to try them.
Justin
Justin,
The problem is tight casting space and ease of tangling other lines with a sabiki rig. In a wide open, deep water area those would probably work.
-scott
I think it’s a come and learn thing possible due to the crowds. Some people will actually hide their lure. Not sure about putting it out there just my opinion. Different spots have different etiquette. If the person shows none or just seems to have a lack of respect I’ll just watch them struggle. I don’t consider myself a good halalu fisherman I haven’t even gone this season. Oh went twice the school didn’t come in.
Thanks for the feedback Harlan. Yeah a lot of old timers don’t think the newbies should be spoon-fed, instead they should come and learn the etiquette and technique yeah? But what about the folks just considering whether to start or not, and have no idea where to begin?
Any other comments on the subjects, folks?
Fishing etiquette is different at all spots and should be handled carefully, a lot of the regulars that fish a certain area notice newbies, watch everyone fish and learn from what they are doing. I have found in my many years of fishing that if you truly want info on what rubbers and flies to use hang out at the spots and talk with the old timers they will be hesitant to open up at first but will start to give out hints and tips on what to use and when to use them. a couple weeks ago when I took my son to learn how to fish for hahalu I decided to stay back and teach my boy different types of retrievals (the pile was out of casting range) one of the old timers approached us and gave us a full on lesson on how to fish the area, and what types of rubbers and flies to use, suggested length of leader, etc. the old timer ended the conversation with us old guys are out here to provide for our families and keep some for bait but don’t be like these younger generation fishermen and rape the waters of our valuable resources, its one of the things us old guys notice “take only what you need”. So all in all I guess that the old timers will share a lot of information with you if you ask but not directly, let them feel like they are giving you advice.
Excellent advice liko, thank you!
We noticed that, at the spot we’re going, the guys give each other plenny room. We’re told guys that can come closer to us but they don’t. They wait for us to leave and then they take our spots. They’re pretty friendly and share some info, and we try to tell the newcomers what is working for us. But I heard, when it’s really crowded there, there isn’t as much sharing of info.
I think my halalu career is about over, will post why soon!
I think it would be great to get some beginner’s tips with out having to give up the old timer’s secrets.
Hi Alan,
Long time no hear. Good approach, provide basic tips to even consider attempting to halalu fishing without giving out hard earned secrets.
thanks,
scott
All the old timers aren’t really computer savvy, so you won’t find many tips from them online, at least to directly. Halalu fishing isn’t as family or beginner-friendly as oama fishing due to nature of how the fish are caught, so I think the information isn’t as widely circulated outside of a hard core of fisherman. Just my guess.
I’m pretty sure you’re right Jason. One guy I spoke with at a tackle shop felt the old timers should be interviewed before the secrets die with them, but those old timers may not want to share their secrets to the masses!
Agreed. It is important that we preserve as much of that knowledge as we can. Sadly, that reluctance to share is i think a consequence of the larger crowds and increasing fishing pressure. My dad said back in the old days (in his case, the mid 60s to the late 70s), never had the huge crowds going for halalu like today. I think it’s human nature to want to guard a resource as it becomes more scarce. Just my two cents again.. Sorry to get so heavy all of a sudden haha.
I’m sure you’re right Jason. More people trying to harvest a scarcer resource. Not an environment that lends itself to information sharing.
HNS: How come there’s no halalu how-to info online?
Answer: Because you never write the article and post it yet! … hahaha
How can I view a video on how to make that spider jig for fishing Halalu?
Appreciate it.
Hi Patricia,
I’ll ask my friend Thad if he has time to post the step by steps or make a video.
thanks,
scott
Howzit, just came across this site recently. Very informative and active site, keep up the good work!
Regarding halalu fishing, here’s a local guy who catches akule. I’m pretty sure you just need to scale back the mono to a 2lb leader.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq6aB3601_Q
hope this helps.
Hi Rich,
Thanks for sending those tips. I tried 2lb test and kept breaking off the line since I’m used to using at least 25lb fluoro leader so 3lb test was the compromise! Lighter line and longer leader definitely helps if you’re skilled enough to cast it. I’m not.
The halalu the guys caught sure worked good as trolling bait though.
-scott
Growing up on the Big Island, I remember from my hanabata days people going to deep water piers like the one at Kawaihae Harbor and hanging bright lights over the side. The lights would attract tiny transparent shrimp and fish, which attracted the halalu schools. You could actually see them about 5 feet below the surface, circling the lights. Occasionally, you would get papios and uluas raiding the halalu school.
I don’t see that being done on Oahu or other islands. I was wondering if that’s just a Big Island thing.
Hmm, good question. I also heard of Big Island folks fishing that way. The halalu and akule I know of here on Oahu leave the safety of the harbor at night to feed. Maybe if there were enough lights to attract their food, the halalu and akule would stay and eat?
Hi Scott,
I too have tried a few times and I gave up this past summers. I saw one fisherman using the spider flies and he was reeling in two at a time with just about every cast. I would appreciate if you could advise the proper whipping technique and also how to rig the flies.
Thanks,
Michael
Michael,
For your rig, I would suggest you run the lightest egg lead you can cast which will allow you to reach just beyond the school. The lighter lead will not scare the fish as much as a heavier one. I run 2 or 3lb test fluorocarbon leader. As for the length of the leader, look at how long the other fishermen are running them for that spot. I use a 5ft ultralight rod and normally run my leader about 6-7 feet. There are some spots where I would run leaders as long as 10-12 feet. It depends on the wind, the amount of room you have to cast, and how easily the fish are spooked. Obviously, you shouldn’t run a long leader when it’s windy or crowded. You don’t want to snag your neighbor on a cast.
I cast my lead just past the school if possible. Make sure you keep track of where your neighbor’s lines are before you cast and know the approximate location and distance of their lines. I let your lead sink all the way if the bottom is snag free. Otherwise, let it sink a little but begin your retrieve before it reaches the bottom. There are many retrieval techniques. I like to jig my fly up from the bottom, and through the school. I hold the rod with my right hand near the stripper guide and shake the rod up and down quickly as I slowly crank the reel. Others like a much slower, sweeping movement of the fly. Watch your neighbors and try different techniques to find what works best for you.
Thad
Your comment is so awesome Thad that I’ll add it to your post detailing how to tie those flies. Thank you!!!