Big congratulations to Johnaton Webster our good friend that accomplished a first in angling. He waited most of the summer to authenticate his accomplishment and it has been confirmed by the IGFA to have caught all the billfish species of the world. He caught Atlantic Blue, Pacific Blue, Black Marlin, white Marlin, swordfish, Pacific sailfish, Atlantic sailfish, striped Marlin, longbilled spearfish, short billed spearfish, roundscaled spearfish and finally the Mediterranean spearfish. 12 billfish species in total. Capt Mat Bowman caught Johnaton’s first short billed spearfish on the Lady here in Kona which finished the slam. They added 6 blues before he came to us on the Northern Lights to fish. We caught Johnaton his second short billed spearfish and his wife Diana a spearfish and a striped marlin rare for summer here. The beauty of the quest is that he was able to travel the world and fish with great teams to get all of these species caught. The IGFA slam is 10 billfish and has been fun to help anglers from all over the world complete their slams making small billfish mean so much. One remarkable catch to mention is a record I wired on the Humdinger with Capt Jeff Fay and Capt Henry Chee for Debra Dunaway on 4 pound test. That record completed a slam of 10 different billfish species all records at the same time. 9 of the records caught on the famous GandS the Hooker. As the line class records get bigger and bigger the participation in the slam club has kept fishing by IGFA rules fun. #IGFA #37merritt #slam #spearfish #johnatonwebster #12billfish
Went to give @abunaifishing a hand with the woodwork on the 58 during a 4 day break between charters. It might seem crazy but I love the real wood on these boats. It is a lot of work but it shows the commitment to the boat from the owner and captain. For me it is hard to wrap my mind around starting 8 coats 90 feet of toerail but once it is taped off and the sanding begins there is no going back. By the final blocking my finger tips are raw and my arms are sore reminding me my sanding arms are weak from a long summer of fishing. Returning to fishing on the 37 Merritt looking at that toerail what seemed like a lot of varnish isn’t so hard to get started on. I’ll always love fishing on custom boats but it sure takes commitment and drive to do it. Once the final feet of tape is pulled after the glow coat there a little pieces of dust in it here and there. The thought of doing it over comes into mind one more time. But as you step back five feet 90 feet of toerail comes into to view and you are reminded that in the varnish world there is no such thing as a final coat and it is time to get back to fishing
Noa took a break from chasing big waves all over the world to spend the weekend with me and his buddies Shawn and Boddie. Glad they had some action and some good eats.
Great time once again with our old friend Stephen. He has amassed an amazing record of catches on his 16 years of fishing on the Northern Lights. This year was no exception catching blues each day while we put in our time in waiting for Stephen’s Grander. Always low pressure always a fun easy week. Already counting down to your 17th season with us.
@scottlevinhmy in town for a day on the ocean before he works on a project here next week. Scotty did a catch a cook with @elizabetenakamaru with a ahi we caught. Scotty fished with me here in summer of 1994 before we headed to Madeira to fish together. Be Summer of 1995 with @tracy_melton. Great to remember all the great fishing we had with Peter Wright on the Duyfken. We weighted numerous granders together in Australia and Madeira and as co captains caught a bunch of big fish together. I learned a ton from Scotty and Pete and really owe them for a lot of my early success polishing what my Kona mentors had taught me. 2024 makes it 30years since we fished together here in Kona. Elizabete and I are greatful for the visit pointing out how fast time has gone by and the need to be with key people we spent such special years with. Thanks for coming Scotty A Hui Ho!! #duyfken #sushinight #catchandcook #northernlights #elizabthstable #freshfish #linecaughtahi
Spent a great week with our friend Ken on the 37. We tried hard for a big fish and caught a good number of small ones to keep things interesting. Timing wise it was close being here when Kona’s first Grander was caught on the Bwana with Capt Teddy Hoogs 1083 pounds. Kens patience and focus for one big fish will pay off he he keeps his vibe going. Looking forward to trying for “the one” again soon
Gotta love the old bucket trick
Magical week with the Fohey’s and Osborne’s fishing hard on the little boat that Terry owned for many years from 1998-2008. Lots of stories and laughs during crazy good fishing. Big thanks to you T for coming to see us and for all the help you have given me over the years to build Northern Lights Sportsfishing what it is today. A Hui Ho
Caught a nice fish right off the bat for the Massengill’s setting the lines out. Early bird gets the worm.
Great few days with @masheilafishing and the Henry’s for a few days fishing and hunting. The good fishing continues with good numbers of blues and spears. Hopefully it continues sure been fun.
The Stoneburners had a busy day on the Spencer yesterday. So cool to see a father and son have a good day together. They both got their first spearfish for their Royal Slams.
Good couple days with Clark with 3 blues 4 spears a ahi and a ono.
