Pete, from NorCal, was back in town. The nearshore fishing conditions weren’t looking good, with a big moon and lots of trade wind. A tune up wading trip with cut bait yielded a few undersized omilus so we were off to the Windward side armed with Waxwing Babys, the 2.68″ 1/2 oz size.
We didn’t expect much since the full moon was last night, and the first Windward spot we tried was lacking in visible bait fish and predators. I was using the black/chrome Waxwing, which imitates baby mullet well. Pete was armed with a blue sardine Waxwing, which is my go-to color when I fish the inshore reef. I missed a small kaku, then we both went 15 mins without a follow. We were working our way back to the car when my lure felt like it ran into a floating log. I felt one twitch and the line was cut. That must’ve been a decent kaku, and in its mouth went $15. I put on a rainbow trout pattern Waxwing that, to me, mimicked an oama.
A smaller kaku hit and missed the hook, and a lizardfish followed that up. Time to hit the next spot.
The next spot had a few schools of bait fish on the flats but nothing crashing on them. Pete lined up to fish a dredged boat channel and I moved off to fish deeper water. A minute later I heard his new Stradic CI4+ 2500 drag sing for the first time. His parabolic 9ft light weight rod was bending under pressure as Pete brought the fish in.
I didn’t measure it, but it looked like a 12″ fork length omilu – very unexpected given the challenging conditions. We admired the fish for a few seconds and let it swim free.
Pete fan cast the area and I worked the shallows for kaku. He soon hooked another omilu, this time about 10″, and all I got was a stop and a miss. The rainbow trout wasn’t doing the job and I didn’t have a blue sardine so I grudgingly put on the battle-scarred black/chrome Baby that was featured in the Lawai’a Waxwing article. I had been sparing it since it had survived so many fish strikes but I really had nothing else to use. Besides, I’ve never lost 2 Waxwings to bite offs in one day.
I managed just one weak strike and was heading back to Pete when I saw this brownish/blackish head appear 5 feet away from me. It wolfed the Waxwing and poof, there went the lure that should’ve been preserved in a fishing museum. RIP little black/chrome Waxwing Baby.
Pete had another fish pull line and come unbuttoned, then it was time to go. Interestingly, he didn’t hook any kaku and I didn’t hook any omilu. I’d gladly trade the lure stealing kaku for an omilu. Think I’ll try the blue sardine pattern the next time!
Nice one Pete!!!
looks like the predator action is getting better. those tiny omilus last year should be 12 inchers by now.
So now you are a fishing guide too??! Take me to your secret spots!!
Nice catches and story! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I had to blindfold Pete because the guy that turned me on to the second spot said he’d never show me another spot if I let others know of its existence. Figured it was safe to take an out-of-towner.
And no fishing guide business for me. It’s actually stressful to try to time the trips with the best fishing conditions, and make sure the guest has a good shot at fish. I was so relieved when Pete caught the omilu but somehow he always does his part.
Pete’s the only one I take out in this manner, he’s a special friend.
Nothing more fun than hooking ’em on the right lure!
Nice catch Pete! Scott, I too have noticed that the kaku love the black/chrome WWs. I’ve had a few “follows” from curious omilu but the only things I’ve actually hooked on it have been kaku.
Yeah, much harder to hook an omilu on a Waxwing, than a kaku. Once again, Pete’s magic prevailed.
Always have a great and rewarding time out there when we get together, Scott! Thanks again!