The guys who have been sharing their perspective through guest posts have provided this tackle shop review of the shops from Waipahu to Kaneohe. A team of 5 contributed to this, maximizing coverage and minimizing bias.
Brian’s Fishing Supply – On King near Piikoi. Old school tackle shop space with a lot of tackle crammed in. Will leave you alone until you ask a question and often Brian and his staff have great advice you never would have thought of. They specialize in rod building, slide baiting, bait casting and whipping and have the latest products not carried anywhere else. They also do rod & reel repair and stock the parts most commonly needed. Prices are comparable to other shops on the island. Make sure you check the No Parking times if you park on King Street. Small parking lot behind the store but you have to access through a narrow driveway.
Charley’s Fishing Supply – Kakaako. Charley’s has been around, at other locations, for more than 50 years. They have a lot of hard to find items like resin float balls, compact water proof tackle boxes, jig replacement hooks, etc. at really good prices. If you haven’t been to Charley’s lately, you need to check out their updated inventory of local, mainland and Japanese lures. There’s always a sale on the most popular rods and reels that are priced lower than anyone else on the island and have friendly, knowledgeable sales people. Try to pay in cash when possible. Designated parking is limited to 3 stalls in the shared strip mall’s outdoor parking lot but there are metered stalls available on the exterior.
Ewa Beach Buy and Sell – Ewa Beach. Small selection of fishing equipment but well stocked in Campania Lures, Flash Bombs and Hammer Bombs. Comparable pricing and decent parking.
Hanapa’a Fishing Supply – Kalihi. There’s also one in the Pearl Ridge Shopping Center. They specialize in dive equipment (upstairs) and sell nets and netting that you can’t get anywhere else. They stock the basic dunking and whipping tackle. Comparable pricing, limited but usually sufficient parking if you go during off hours.
Hobietat – Kaimuki. Combination radio control cars / model rockets / fishing tackle store. Friendly staff, and the owner, Butch, is a very knowledgeable troller and diver. Moderate selection with expert advice. Street parking out front.
J & E Fishing Supply – Kalihi. A throwback to the old mom & pop store where tackle was laid out in card board boxes and the front door was a roll up corrugated gate. In this shop, the owners are a mother and daughter. They have a large inventory of hooks and lead, whipping lures, trolling skirts and a surprising number of lower end rods in the back room. J & E stocks more JDM lures than any where else on the island. Very reasonable pricing. Decent parking.
J Hara Store – Kaimuki. This is the Oahu branch of their flagship Big Island store. Located on the bottom floor, East side, of the complex on Waialae Avenue with Long’s and Times. Store is larger than you would expect; half of it is hunting gear. They stock the basic fishing and diving gear plus a lot of whipping lures and have great, unadvertised prices on Penn reels and carry the low to mid line of Daiwa reels. Comparable pricing with regular advertised specials. Check their freezer by the front door for fresh, frozen tako and other baits. Parking is shared by a lot of businesses so can get busy during peak hours.
Kaya’s – Chinatown. Talk about old school, Kaya’s looks like it did back in the day. It’s a very small, cramped shop but Raine is very friendly and helpful and the prices are very reasonable. They are known to have the best prices on lead but also sell hooks, swivels, hand nets, crabnets, poles, reels, floaters, tabis, slide gaffs, sand spikes, head lamps, rod building threads, knives, line, lures, etc. You may have to pay for parking but if you buy enough lead you can offset that expense!
Maui Sporting Goods – Kapahulu. This is really a dive shop but they have a limited selection of fishing equipment and are the only shop on the island that sells Major Craft Jigpara jigs. Parking is challenging in this area.
McCully Bicycle and Sporting Goods – Moilili area. Despite their name, they have quite an inventory of standard and higher end fishing tackle and gear (whipping, plugging, slidebaiting, trolling, and diving) . Great prices on terminal tackle and basic goods like tabis and air pumps, but they rarely have sales. Ample parking on Young St behind the store.
Nankos – Kaneohe. Tackle section on the small side but they also sell beer, ice, snacks, and cigarettes. They specialize in rod, reel and diving equipment repair. Very knowledgeable friendly customer service but you have to ask for help otherwise they will leave you to wander. Easy parking in shared lot.
POP – Pier 38 near Nicos. Large, clean air conditioned store, back half comprises of boating gear. Good selection of basic fishing gear, whipping lures, deep drop jigs and trolling skirts. Comparable prices. Helpful staff and lots of parking in surrounding lots.
Roy’s Fishing Supply – Aiea/Hekaha. Roy’s is the island’s Shimano Authorized Warranty Center. They have a very impressive stock of off shore, shore casting, whipping, dive and rod building tackle/gear. On the pricier side compared to the above shops, but they should have what you’re looking for. When you’re in need of help, go up to the counter and ask. Ample parking.
Waipahu Bicycle (Buster’s) – Waipahu. Small selection of fishing tackle but a lot of shore casting expertise. You have to ask for help to be assisted.
West Marine – On Nimitz Hwy near the piers. Focused on boating related equipment but also has SUPs, kayaks and fishing tackle for sale. Prices are MSRP unless there is a seasonal sale. Great place to buy marine electronics, epirb, etc. Knowledgeable staff and convenient parking.
