Need a boat for the tournament?

Paid entries as of 9/1/99:  55

This may take a minute!

Ho'ole'a Fishing Tournament Information

• There will be no limit on the number of boats.
• All boats entered shall receive mooring at one of the yacht clubs, and may stay through noon, Monday Sept. 6.
• Entry fee is $325.00 if received in person or postmarked by August 7, 1999. Entry fee after August 7 is $375.00.
• Deadline to enter tournament is at adjournment of the skipper’s meeting, Friday Sept. 4.
• Skippers who enter early shall also receive two free drink tickets for the skipper’s meeting.
• Fishing hours will be 6:00 am until 4:00 pm each day. Boats must report secure with Money Box by 7:00 pm.
• Jackpot will be at least 100% of the paid entries with actual pot TBD when all entries are received.
• Top 3 places paid to each individual heaviest fish.
• Portion of jackpot to be awarded for highest total weight, including released billfish. Each billfish released will count for points. See below.
• Largest qualifying Ahi shall receive prepaid entry as team #2 in the 2000 Ahi Fever in Waianae.
• Additional prizes for largest of each 5 flags and fish of the day prizes too.
• Sailboats may enter and fish according to tournament rules. If enough sailboats are interested, a separate division may be created by the tournament committee.

• Line class, leaders, and use of dead baits is unrestricted. Set your poles and go get ‘em.
• No live baiting is permitted.
• Birds up to 12" are permitted.
• Fish must be fought on rod and reel, with one angler fighting the fish from hookup to leader. No handlining or assistance with the rod and reel from any other person on board is permitted (Note: you do not need to have a fighting chair).
• No bang sticks or guns are permitted. Fish must either be taken by gaff or released.
• Qualifying fish (and weights in lbs) are: Marlin (100), Spearfish (25), Sailfish (25), Ahi (20), Mahimahi (20), Ono (20), and Aku (20).
• Released Marlin count for 100 pounds. Released Spears and Sails count for 25 pounds. Must have camera verification, and cameras will be issued at the skipper’s meeting.
• Ties, if any go to first fish reported, whether taken or released.

History of the Ho’ole’a

Back in 1987, Jim Markey of the Waikiki Yacht Club and Al Bento of the Hawaii Yacht Club envisioned a joint effort tournament that would serve as an outreach to the community. They felt that a 100% jackpot payout that was subsidized by the clubs and the sponsors would be a great way to get boats to fish from the Ala Wai, and perhaps serve as a way to attract new members. The first few years of Ho’ole’a proved to be very successful, with several out of town anglers planning their vacations around the annual event. One of the main attractions in addition to the generous jackpot was the winning boat receiving a paid entry into the prestigious HIBT.

Competition with new tournaments, a declining economy, and the loss of the free entry into the HIBT all contributed to a decline in Ho’ole’a entries in recent years, so this year’s tournament chairs, Mike House and Rick Abille, have taken steps to bring back its popularity while maintaining Jim and Al’s vision of a community serving event. First, we teamed up with Waianae’s Ahi Fever tournament organizers to obtain a paid entry into the 2,000 Ahi Fever for the boat weighing the largest qualifying Ahi. We have extended the fishing time by two hours by moving the start time to 6:00, and have made arrangements to tie up every boat at one of the two clubs. In addition, each skipper, crew and family member will receive temporary memberships to both clubs, allowing them to experience the friendly atmosphere and amenities the clubs have to offer.

The shuttle boat will be running between the two clubs during key times of the tournament to allow easy access between venues, and we will provide family entertainment during the day while the crews are out fishing. And finally, this year the jackpot will be more than 100% of the entry fees received, which is made possible by the generous donations from our sponsors. We hope you enjoy your visit with us at this year’s Ho’ole’a Jackpot Fishing Tournament.