kauai fishing calendar

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:

  1. Early morning
  2. Late evening
  3. Beginning and end of high/low tides
  4. Slack tides
  5. After storms
  6. Winter
  7. 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.

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