Team 093 - fishing aboard the 38' Bertram Aolani, consisted of the following members

Tim Tucker - Ewa Beach
Steven Kimura - Ewa Beach
Scott Lyons - Vancouver, Canada
Pete Metson - Oxnard, California
Todd Lyons - Vancouver, Canada

We left Ko Olina Marina at 4:30 Saturday morning, and arrived outside Waianae Harbor at 5:30 a.m.. Our strategy for Saturday was to head straight out 10 miles, then turn left and head towards Barbers Point. We had only one strike on Saturday, a small spearfish, we came off the line. We ended the day's fishing outside Ko Olina, so we stayed there for the night.

Again on Sunday we left Ko Olina Marina at 4:30 Saturday morning, and arrived outside Waianae Harbor at 5:30 a.m. Our plan for Sunday was to head straight for CO buoy, so after the start I set the auto pilot on its course. About four miles from the harbor, we came across a pod of porpoises, so we slowed to trolling speed and set out our lines. We worked the area for quite awhile, making 10 or 12 passes through and around the porpoises. There were about four or five other boats working the area, but most of them gave up and left. One of my crew said we should head out, but I said we have to stay with the porpoises for a while. After another ten minutes, the special Shiroma Lure I always run on the starboard long outrigger line slammed down and my 16/O loaded with 200 LB mono smoked for half the spool. The fish stopped for a couple of seconds then took line another two or three times.  After clearing all the other lines, I kept the boat moving forward on the port engine. Steven began handlining the fish and Pete reeled the line we gained up on the reel. Todd acted as the photographer, and Scott was standing by to take over the helm when I left the bridge to gaff the fish.

Over the course of the 45 minute fight, there was a lot of nervous energy in the air. Steven stopped a few times to catch his breath, and every time he stopped, I gave him the gas, and told him to hurry up and get the fish in the boat. He said if he pulled any harder, he would break the line. Everyone laughed, but we were all on an adrenaline rush.  The fish shook his head and took line three or four times as we got it closer to the boat, but Steven kept the line tight.  Finally, after about forty minutes, we could see color. Because my boat has straight shafts, rudders, and trim tabs, there's too much stuff for the fish to get hung up on. So, we kept the boat moving forward on the port engine and brought the fish up on the starboard side. The fish was super tough and kept swimming back and forth behind the boat. In order to get the fish close, I decided to take the engines out of gear. At that point, I when down on deck and got the gaff set. Steven pulled hard to get the fish close, but I missed the first try with the gaff. The fish made one final circle, and I gaffed him as he came up. The flying gaff went in just behind the gill plate, and we got a second gaff in right after that.

Steven, Scott, Pete and I yanked the fish into the boat as quick as we could.  After high five's and hand shakes, Scott steered us back towards the porpoise pile, while Steven hosed down the deck, and I reset the lines. Once the lines were set, we put the fish in the fishbox on deck. I called the catch in on the radio, and confirmed the catch report by cell phone.  There was much speculation on board about the size of the fish. The guestimates ranged from 169 lb. to 185 lb.  We spent the rest of the day trolling in and out pretty much in the same area. However, we did not get another strike. At 1:30 p.m., we decided to head into Waianae Harbor, and weigh the fish.

Once we got to the Harbor, Pete went up and got our catch card. We rinsed off the deck and rods and reels, then loaded up the fish bag on a dolly and wheeled it up to the scales.  My heart was pumping as they raised the fish up on the scale. I held my breath until they announced the weight as 183.8 lbs. For the next three hours we waited to see if our luck would hold up, as there were more Ahi to be weighed.

Finally, the scales were closed, and our fish was still in the lead. We were announced the unofficial winner, and received a beautiful replica of the Ahi fever trophy.  We boarded the Aolani, and returned to Ko Olina Marina at about 7:30 p.m.  Scott, Pete, and Todd left the boat at 8:00, and were on planes flying home by midnight.

I've been shaking my head all day, and still can hardly believe how incredibly lucky we were to win the Ahi Fever tournament.  I have tons of people to thank, so we will be cutting up the winning fish and sharing it with all of them.

Aloha,

Tim Tucker
Captain, Aolani