Kauai Fishing Calendar: Best Times & Seasons to Catch Fish
Are you planning a fishing trip to Kauai? You’re in luck! The island is a popular destination for anglers, and with the Kauai fishing calendar, you can quickly determine the best time to fish for various species.
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Kauai Fishing Calendar
Fish | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amberjack | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Good |
Blue Line Snapper | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak |
Bass (Largemouth) | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Bass (Peacock) | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Bonefish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Gray Snapper | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
Blue Marlin | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Jobfish (Rusty) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Good | Good | Good |
Lobster | Good | Good | Good | Good | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Short-Tail Red Snapper (Ehu) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Snapper (Pink) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Banned | Good | Good | Good |
Shortbill Spearfish | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Swordfish | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Striped Marlin | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Bad | Bad | Fair | Fair | Good |
Mahi Mahi | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair |
Wahoo (Ono) | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Bluefin Trevally | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Peak |
Giant Trevally | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
Bigeye Tuna (Ahi) | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak |
Skipjack Tuna (Aku) | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
The calendar lists peak months, good months, and fair months for different types of fish.
As you can see in the fishing calendar, Amberjack is abundant from February to November, and Blue Line Snapper is available year-round.
Largemouth Bass is mainly found between February and May, while you can find Peacock Bass from April to October.
Bonefish are sought after all year round, Gray Snapper is best caught from April to November, and Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) can also be caught year-round.
On the other hand, some species have restricted seasons. Jobfish (Rusty) and Lobster are examples, so check local regulations before heading out.
Similarly, Snapper (Pink) has a restricted season that runs from May to September, Shortbill Spearfish is most active between February and June, Swordfish is most abundant from June to August, Striped Marlin provides a good catch from February to May and September to November, Mahi Mahi is at its peak from April to October, Wahoo (Ono) yields best results from January to November, and Bluefin Trevally can be caught from January to May and October through December.
As for Giant Trevally, it’s most active between April and September. Finally, Bigeye Tuna (Ahi) is most plentiful from May to October, Skipjack Tuna (Aku) is most plentiful from May to August, and Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) gives a good catch from May to October.
So there you have it – armed with this information, you can use the Kauai fishing calendar to plan your next fishing adventure and increase your chances of catching your desired species. Always check the weather conditions and local regulations for a safe and successful trip.
Kauai Fishing Seasons
The best time to fish in Kauai depends on your target species, as different fish have different peak seasons. Here is a quick overview of the seasons.
Later winter, from January to March, is a great time to fish for Amberjack, Blue Line Snapper, Bass (Largemouth), Bass (Peacock), Bonefish, Gray Snapper, Jobfish (Rusty), Lobster, Rainbow Trout (Steelhead), Short-Tail Red Snapper (Ehu), Snapper (Pink), Shortbill Spearfish, Swordfish, and Wahoo (Ono). These species are either at their peak or good during this time.
Spring to early summer, April to June, is the peak season for Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, and Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi). Striped Marlin, Giant Trevally, and Bluefin Trevally are also good during this time.
Late summer to fall, July to September, is an excellent time to fish for Blue Line Snapper, Bass (Peacock), Bonefish, Gray Snapper, Shortbill Spearfish, and Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi).
Fall to early winter, October to December is the peak season for Amberjack, Bass (Largemouth), Bass (Peacock), and Bigeye Tuna (Ahi). Blue Line Snapper, Bluefin Trevally, and Giant Trevally are also good during this time.
It is important to note that some species, such as Jobfish (Rusty), Lobster, and Snapper (Pink), are banned during certain months of the year to allow for population growth and sustainability.
Overall, Kauai offers excellent fishing opportunities year-round, with different species available at different times.
Best time of day to go fishing in Kauai
As the saying goes, “the early bird gets the worm,” which applies perfectly here. Summer and Autumn (June through November) are good seasons to fish in Kauai, with the mornings and evenings being times when the fish is most active.
Here’s a pro tip: If you go fishing during dawn or dusk, you can ignore all other factors, as these times are hands-down the best for fishing.
However, if you are fishing at other times of the day, consider the changing tide the best time.
But there are also other factors. To ensure you have the best chance of catching something, try fishing during the following:
- Early morning
- Late evening
- Beginning and end of high/low tides
- Slack tides
- After storms
- Winter
- Night Fishing
Kauai Fishing Charters
Experience the ultimate Hawaiian fishing adventure
- Book now, pay later: Secure your date now and pay the the captain when you arrive.
- Expert local guides who know the best spots.
- World-class fishing in stunning Hawaiian waters.
- Best Price Guarantee – Book today before it’s sold out.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase
Best Fishing Spots in Kauai
If you’re looking for great spots to wet your line, check out Waimea State Recreational Pier, Kilauea, Ahukini Recreational Pier State Park, Lihue, or Kekaha – all prime locations for finding good catches.
When booking charters for Kauai, make sure you book them for the summer/autumn season and in the morning for maximum success. So now that you know when and where to go, get ready to cast your line into the deep blue sea!
When planning your fishing trip to Kauai, it’s always helpful to refer to a fishing calendar to determine the best times to fish for various species.
See similar fishing calendars for other Hawaiian islands, such as Maui and Oahu. When booking a fishing charter, pack the appropriate gear and clothing, which you can learn about on this page and this page.
You can book fishing charters on Kauai and other Hawaiian islands through Kuuloa Kai Fishing Charters.