February 18, 2012 Hospice of Kona Tournament

My wife Melissa joined me today along with Fisher, Kai, Marina and our good friend Keith for the Valentines tournament benefiting Hospice of Kona.  48 teams entered the tournament each with their own strategy of where to go and what to fish for.  The prize money was split equally between all four flag fish (mahimahi, ono, ahi and marlin).  The blue marlin bite had been slow and since we thought everyone was going to fish for them we would go ono fishing.  We ran south…far south to Pebble Beach and started trolling.  The swell was big and the nearshore water was green, not good for ono.  As we passed Milolii the water began to clear and we hoped we would find a big ono.  We trolled further on to Kauna Point and still no bite.  It was getting late so we headed back and as we again passed Milolii the short bait took off.  Melissa got in the chair and made quick work of a 15lb ono!  Not big enough to win the tournament but we got one.  My good friend Dave and Aina won with a 42lb ono.