Traditionally, shore fishing is best in the Summer and Fall when the bait fish are close to shore and attracting predators. Those predators feed away from the shallows during the other times of the year, so they aren’t seen as often.
But fishing in the deep reef is also slow from Spring to early Summer. Here’s what I have been noticing in past years.
There are less concentrations of fish on the fish finder and underwater camera, and the fish seen and caught are smaller.
Fish spawn in the Winter and Spring and there’s lot of smaller sized fish on the reef. They are quicker than the larger individuals of their species and may be getting to the food first. There’s less plankton available due to the shorter periods of sunlight so the larger fish move deeper so they have a better chance at larger food.
Lower water temp and amount of sunlight may be the triggers that tell the fish to spawn. So it seems like Spring is the period that Nature uses to allow juvenile fish to mature safely, with less chance of being eaten.
What does this mean for our fishing prospects? Either wait ’til Summer or fish where the larger fish are still found.
Hi Scott friends telling me oaamascoming in southside. One spit plenty oaamas but no bite. That’s how the first batch is skiddish,small ones. Northside reports of oaamas also. Gonna try check it ur middle this month or end of the month. Hope your doing well my friend,take care.:)
Thank you Craig, I recently heard there’s some oama biting on the southside of Oahu too! Early for them to be in and biting. My prediction is this year will end early since it was a lousy mango year, but we’ll see!
Take care,
scott
Goodmorning! Oaama seems to be everywhere Scott. Central,Northshore, Southside. Wouldn’t doubt west side has also. But like last year,throw sand to draw them in,(because they curious),they scattered but the regroup and they’re right there close to shore. Usually they scatter and don’t come back till later. Seems different but. Sort of like a hit or miss thing. Waiting for full moon to come small,probably 1 week more.
Thanks for the Maui report, they definitely did come in early this year. I’ll ask around about the Oahu schools. Get me while you can cuz normally early years don’t last long. Take care Craig!
I will Scott take care yourself also. 😀
Want to take my son to go catch Oama gon drive around to try look for them any tips on looking for a good spot, not asking for exact spots but just things to look for and also tips on getting them to bite. TYIA
Hi Angelo,
I had heard that the oama came in early this month (June) which is more than a month earlier than normal. I was purposely sitting on that info but guys have been posting their oama catches on FB so the news has been out.
As far as spots to check, the well known spots on Oahu have been reported as holding. Ala Moana, Waikiki, Wailupe etc.
Chumming always helps but can upset the other guys if you over feed them. Maybe use a bit of fish scraps to chum, and fish with small bits of shrimp once they are actively feeding.
Good luck!
scott