Fresh, Not Frozen
Your Catch
How Hawaii does fish differently
Understanding the Difference
A Different Kind of Fishery
A Tradition Built for Freshness
Many of our guests have fished Alaska and loved it. Seasonal runs, big hauls, hundreds of pounds frozen and shipped home. That's a great tradition built for a different purpose.
Hawaii's day-boat troll fishery works differently, and once you understand why, it makes perfect sense.
In Hawaii, fish is eaten fresh or raw. Poke, sashimi, grilled mahi that was swimming hours earlier. The entire culture, from the Honolulu fish auction to the neighborhood poke counter, is built around never-frozen fish.
Our Fish Policy
Simple, fair, and designed to get you the best eating fish
15 lbs of Whole Fish
You're entitled to 15 pounds of whole fish per charter. That's a lot more than it sounds — enough for multiple meals for your whole group.
Captain Selects
Captain JR picks which fish to fillet based on eating quality. He knows which fish will taste best tonight and which ones are better suited for the crew.
Trophy Fish (100+ lbs)
Fish over 100 pounds stay with the boat and crew. These giants are rare, celebrated, and often released. You get the photos, the story, and the bragging rights.
More Than You Think
Why 15 Pounds Is Plenty
Put It in Restaurant Terms
Order a sashimi platter at a nice restaurant and you're splitting maybe half a pound of fish for $60 to $80. Your 15 pounds of whole fish yields 6 to 8 pounds of fillets. That's roughly 12 to 16 restaurant-quality portions.
At Honolulu fish auction prices, fresh ahi goes for $20 to $40 per pound wholesale. Your share of the catch would cost $150 to $300 at auction, and several times that at a restaurant.
This isn't a consolation prize. It's more high-grade fresh fish than most people eat in a year.
15 lbs
whole fish
6-8 lbs
boneless fillets
12-16
dinner portions
$150+
auction value
Freshness Over Volume
The whole point is eating it fresh. 15 pounds is about what a group can realistically consume during a week-long trip. More than that and you're freezing it, which defeats the purpose of Hawaii fishing.
Sustainable Fishery
Hawaii's pelagic fishery stays healthy because of practices like this. We don't have factory boats strip-mining the ocean. Day boats, reasonable limits, and respect for the resource keep the fish coming back.
Industry Standard
This isn't Reel Addiction being stingy. It's how Hawaii charters work across the islands. Some boats actually offer less. Our policy is fair, transparent, and designed around how fish is meant to be eaten here.
How Hawaii Fishing Works
The Crew Tradition
In Hawaii, the catch has always been split between guests and crew. This isn't the boat "taking your fish." It's a tradition that goes back generations, and it's how quality crews stay on the water.
The crew's share feeds their families, gets traded with other fishermen, and sometimes goes to the auction. It's part of the local fishing economy that keeps this whole culture alive.
When you fish with us, you're participating in something that's been done this way for a long time. The split isn't about limiting what you take home. It's about keeping the tradition running the way it's supposed to.
What To Do With Your Catch
We'll help you make the most of it
Have It Prepared
Staying at Ko Olina? We connect you with chefs who'll prepare your catch for dinner that night. Nothing beats fish you caught hours earlier.
Mount Your Trophy
We work with Gray Taxidermy, the world's largest marine taxidermy company, to create museum-quality mounts of your trophy fish.
From Ocean to Plate
How to Eat What You Catch
Each species has its own character. Here's how to get the best out of your fish.
Ahi
Best within 24 hours
The sashimi fish. Slice it thin and eat it raw with soy sauce and wasabi. Also great seared rare. Don't overcook it or you've wasted the best part.
Best prep: Sashimi, poke, seared rare
Mahi Mahi
Good for 2 to 3 days
The versatile one. Firm, mild, holds up to almost any preparation. Grill it, blacken it, put it in tacos. Hard to mess up.
Best prep: Grilled, blackened, fish tacos
Ono
Best within 48 hours
Firm white meat with a clean taste. The name means "delicious" in Hawaiian and it earns it. Pan sear with butter and garlic, or grill with a light marinade.
Best prep: Pan seared, grilled, ceviche
Marlin
Smoke it if possible
Most people don't realize marlin is edible. Fresh, it's firm and meaty. Smoked marlin is incredible and a local favorite. Ask us about smoking options.
Best prep: Smoked, grilled steaks
Make It Yourself
Simple Ahi Poke
You don't need a professional kitchen. This is what locals make at home with fresh catch. Takes 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh ahi, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes, diced sweet onion, or limu seaweed if you can find it
Instructions
Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a bowl. Add the cubed ahi and toss gently. Fold in green onions. Let it sit for 5 minutes in the fridge. Top with sesame seeds. Eat it with rice or by itself.
The fish should be cold and fresh. If it smells fishy, it's not fresh enough for poke.
Common Questions
Can I take more than 15 lbs?
The 15 lb policy ensures sustainable fishing and quality for everyone. That said, if we have an exceptional day and there's plenty to go around, Captain JR may offer additional fish at his discretion.
Why does the captain choose which fish to fillet?
Captain JR knows which fish will eat best. Some fish are better fresh that day, others are better for the crew who will eat them tomorrow. He's looking out for your dining experience.
Can I freeze the fish and take it home?
You can, but we don't recommend it. Hawaii fish is meant to be eaten fresh — freezing degrades the texture and flavor that makes our fish special. Enjoy it during your trip for the best experience.
What happens to fish over 100 lbs?
Trophy fish often stay with the boat and crew, or are released to fight another day. You get all the photos and memories. These fish are rare and special — catching one is an achievement regardless of what goes in the cooler.
Do you clean and fillet the fish?
Yes. We fillet your fish dockside and pack it in bags with ice. You leave with ready-to-cook portions.
What if we catch nothing?
It happens occasionally — that's fishing. On Extravaganza charters, we offer Hawaii's only catch guarantee with a partial refund if you don't catch a pelagic fish.