Lighthouse Shelf
A broad shelf with steady action. Good place to find your rhythm.
Most likely: Sailfish, Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin
Round 2 of 10
Kalea Invitational
Volcanic islands and a canyon that drops straight to nowhere.
3fishing spots
Billfishcounts at the scale
320–460 lbwhat the rivals land
6 AM–4 PMone fishing day
Lighthouse ShelfThe CanyonAtoll Drop-offThe rules
Heaviest single billfish wins. Bring something bigger than last time.
Warm tropical blue water. Fish the day from six in the morning to four in the afternoon, keep up to 11 fish in the box, and bring your heaviest to the weigh-in. Beat every rival’s best to win the round.
What’s biting
Each spot has its own mix. Deeper, harder spots hold bigger fish.
How to win the Kalea Invitational
What you need: the field’s best fish usually weighs between 320 and 460 lb, so you’ll need a big billfish to take the round. Only billfish — marlin, sailfish and swordfish count at the scale.
Rig for it: 80 lb line lands fish that size; anything lighter gets more bites but risks a break-off on the big one. The blue marlin likes the Large Live Bait and the Large Skirt best.
Where to start: Lighthouse Shelf is the gentlest spot (★★☆☆☆) — a good place to find your rhythm. The Canyon holds the heaviest fish, if you can handle them. Birds work hardest over The Canyon: follow them to the bait.
Near shore: at Lighthouse Shelf you troll within sight of the beach — mind the sandbars and the pier.
Read the forecast: on cloudy mornings and evenings run your lure shallow; under a bright midday sun, go deep. A windy forecast means a rough sea, a rolling boat and more drift, so plan your passes into the wind.
The spots
The Canyon
Deep cold water rising up the canyon walls. Monsters live here.
Most likely: Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Mako Shark
Atoll Drop-off
Turquoise one second, midnight blue the next.
Most likely: Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Sailfish