Ulua Fishing

Top Tips On Ulua Fishing

For many sportsmen, an enjoyable trip to Hawaii must include one thing: ulua fishing. Ulua fishing truly pits man against beast in a battle of strength and determination that can potentially lead to bragging rights for years to come. Read further for a brief overview of this sport if you are interested in general information or considering dabbling in it.

What are Ulua?

The ulua actually consists of various fish from the jack family that weigh more than 10 lbs. They are known for their impressive strength and constitution, making the fight a test of endurance for both the fish and the fisherman. The most notorious of this group is the highly sought after white ulua which averages between 150 – 200 lbs, although even the most common variety that weighs approximately 20 lbs can put forth quite a struggle.

Why Is Ulua Fishing So Popular?

It is easy to imagine the degree of accolades one would receive after reeling in a 180 lb ulua, and this reason alone is enough to make the sport incredibly popular for locals and tourists alike. Even the smaller, 20 lb varieties look handsome in a traditional posed picture.

Ulua are also incredibly delicious and nutritious fish. To top it off, the locals consider ulua to be a Hawaiian delicacy, and take pride in the ways they cook and arrange the fish. Catching one for yourself can provide you with a truly satisfying meal.

Where and When Can You Find Them?

Because there are different types of ulua, they can be found in different areas. As a matter of fact, they can be caught from a boat or right by the shore as well depending on the variety you are seeking.

Larger ulua tend to congregate in areas near the drop off points; where craggy lava rock gives way to open ocean. There is plenty of food for them there, and because they are such agile swimmers they have an advantage over any predators, including humans. They are able to swim in between crevices and coral formations that would normally break a fishing line.

A lot of ulua also like to stay near the shore. Smaller varieties tend to stay near the shallow waters and feed on smaller fish. If you can’t afford to rent a boat or charter a fishing vessel, you will be happy to know you can still manage to catch a fish up to 20 lbs right off of a rocky outcropping.

Regardless of whether you are taking a boat out or just finding a decent shallow water feeding spot, you should check into the many websites that track ulua activity and hotspots. This will save you a lot of time and frustration.

Setting Up Your Line

Ulua fishing entails a bit more finesse than baiting a hook with a worm. In fact, all fishing in Hawaii is a bit more complicated due to the unforgiving reefs. Slide bait fishing was specifically designed to remedy this problem. In slide bait fishing, the bait is slid down a weighted line until it hits a specially placed O-ring that keeps it in place. This prevents the bait from sliding all the way down and falling off the end of the reef and thus getting stuck and snagging your line.

Although you have your choice in types of lures and baits, you need to make sure that they are large in size regardless of what you choose. Tako, octopus, is a very common bait and fairly easy to come by in Hawaii. If you choose to use it, you should get it fresh and not prepackaged, as it changes the smell of the bait and isn’t as appealing.

Hang in There

Do not get discouraged if you can’t snag an ulua your first time out. These fish are tenacious and notorious for breaking lines and leading the fisherman on a wild goose chase. If you find yourself having problems while others in your group seem to be having no trouble at all, go to any local fishing store and ask around. There is always someone willing to give you helpful advice.