I’m writing this in early July, with the peak fishing season a month away. Here’s how it’s been going so far, and how I think it will end up, based on weather indications.
The La Nina pattern of cooler water has ended and water temps are returning to “normal”. We didn’t get much rain in the Winter, and the mango crop wasn’t good. That usually means that the bait fishing season won’t be very good either, and without bait, the predator fishing will be a challenge.
Halalu have been in, and the oama began to show in early June, which is a month and a half early. The oama schools have been small, so that seems to be an indication that this oama season will be brief. Hope I’m wrong.
The early, larger papio have been whacking the piles so get out before they’re gone.
The ulua season, normally peaking in the late Spring hasn’t been so good either. Neither has the offshore boating season been. But kayakers who can get live bait early in the morning, continue to defy the odds and get shibi ahi (tuna under 100lbs).
Being out of a La Nina period is good news, so the coming Fall should be an improvement overall. Keep fishing; can’t catch fish from the couch!
hey scotty- interesting observations. joel and dan went north shore 10 days ago and caught oama. mostly smaller ones, but managed a 7lb omilu. dan went tuesday and struggled to find them. got 4 or five, but took a strike on a toau. agree might be a strange year. hope august will settle down when i get back home. aloha bro,
Hey Deano,
Always good to hear from you. 7lb omilu on the oama pile is absolutely huge!
I hope still got bait and papio for you in August, my friend.
-scott
Hi Scott. Been kind of strange oama season. Central side biting. Northshore biting one day next day they kind of stay in the middle of the pond as the tide changes. One place I went last year good catching this year no oaamas in sight. Southside one place where always get oaamas. Zero.people telling me instead of sand get seashells now wow. Bite for papuo has been erratic over here. Oama size small and big mix bag now.
Thanks for the most comprehensive oama report we’ve gotten so far, Craig. Yeah, since the oama came in so early, I didn’t think it would be a long oama season but it’s good there are some small ones still. Papio season on Oahu hasn’t been good yet. Hopefully it gets better in August. Hope you’re getting some papio!
-scott
Your welcome Scott :). Still trying for my 1st papio. Week ago had a strike,the pull was pretty hard. But it spit out my hook. Think the drag was to tight gonna loosen it a little and try tomorrow 🌄. Take care ttyl hehe.
Aw man. Hope you get your 1st and your 2nd papio of the season!