Mexican Shootout 2010

Where do I begin? Sorry for not posting for a while as we were filming for another epic HSD show at the Mexican Shootout 2010. Every morning was just like this...wake up from our air conditioned casita to perfect sheet glass with the most amazing sunrises in the world.

Our host of generous sponsors included: Blue Tuna spearfishing, Crows Creations Gaji Lures, Hawaiian Host Chocolates, Hammerhead Spearguns, Hanapaa Hawaii, Hawaii Skin Diver, Kawabanga Custom Spears, Noh's Foods of Hawaii, Pacific Island Music Distribution, Palapas Ventana, Red Sea Ocean Adventures, Riffe International, Sea Sniper, Speargear shop, Sonny Tanabe, and Volcom who donated so many prizes for our divers and boat men.

Gyotaku Artist "Crow" also flew over to provide our divers fish prints of their catches and even colored it on location. Everyone was amazed at the process and quality of his work.

Of course our boatmen are the best! Nono (left), Asvaldo (middle), and Beto (right) were some of the guys who put our divers on the spot. They can spot a marlin a mile away and know each spot without a gps. I've seen so many Ono's here in mexico in the 30-50 lb range and ton's of mahi that blew me away. From pelagics to reef action, this place has it all!

Of course my highlight of my trip was landing one of these....Stripe Marlin which put up an incredible fight. Story to follow later...Muchos Gracias to Tim, Jimena, and Karon Hatler for all their warm hospitality and we are looking forward to seeing you guys next year. Make plans to join us for the 5th annual Mexican shootout next summer.

Last Chance Mahi

Woke up 4:30 am today and did my routine weather check. Winds would be light so got my dive gear ready and headed west to get my dinner for this week. Joining todays expedition was Captain James Oshiro and Blue Water Hunter Travis Masutani. Before we left the harbor travis was suited up and ready for action. We had some chum so we worked the ledge, then another, and before you know it we had 2 pieces of chum left. This was our last chance so Travis sparingly pulled pieces of chum apart as bait fish came by. Then in the corner of my eye, I spotted a Mahi Mahi. It came and ate one of the pieces of chum and as he went for the second piece I got on top of him and gave him the dive bomb technique hoping he wouldn't see me. My shaft penetrated his head from the top down but...

it wasn't a stone shot so my partner Travis lined up his 120 cm Euro and gave him the kill shot. So we called it our "Last Chance Mahi". Our first one this year so we were all stoked.

We did a few more drops for some of our favorite fishes for sashimi and before we knew it, it was time to go!

It's a long drive to the west side but glad we were able to get a few fish for the week.

Diver vs Fisherman

Today the water was a little rough as the trades were picking up so we had a couple hours to kill. Divers Owen Adams Sr.(above), Owen Jr., and Travis Masutani climbed on board and we headed to do some reef diving. We got a mixed bag of black and reds, with these nice stringer of menpachi, uhu, and jo-louis caught by Owen Sr.

After we finished washing up, we were talking story and eating lunch and this huge boat pulls up and in the bed of the truck is this giant Marlin.

They just caught it and it was so big it didn't fit in their fish box of this 30 ft. boat. Quickly the crew starts cooling the fish off with the water hose so it wouldn't spoil.

Then out comes Captain Ken, with a saw to cut off the bill so it would fit in their fish box. It weighed in at 425 lbs, so looks like lots of smoke marlin for this week. Let me know when I can swing by for a pick up. Ha ha!

North Shore Fireworks

This 4th of July we decided to spend it up on the North Shore of Oahu to avoid the crowds but it was packed up there as well. There were rides for the kids, food booths for the adults, and lots and lots of people.

We walked through the festivities with everyone parked on the west end near the stables hoping to get a good view. I think everyone on the North Shore was here celebrating our freedom and independence.

Entertainment by Kapena Ohana was jamming the ukulele and rocking the house. We couldn't find a good spot so we headed back to the Turtle bay hotel and sat by the poolside to watch the fireworks display.

We are so lucky to live in a nation that celebrates our Independence Day, and allows us the freedom to follow our hearts desire. Life is short...dream Big and just do it!

Ono-licous

Hope everyone has been getting their share of waves this past week on the south shore. If not you didn't miss anything. It's not very often I get up before the sunrise but if I know the winds will be slowing down and the waves are small then get I motivated to dive.

Keith Yamane joined me today along with Captain "Cat" behind the wheel on board the Red Sea Boat for a quick jump in to check my favorite spots. We needed a few uhus for some friends and of course couldn't help but plug a few opelu kalas for sashimi. After we got a couple we headed to the ono grounds and did a little chumming/burley/palu/puke-ing. Water was little dirty so I dropped down to investigate this huge 10# rainbow runner eating away on the bottom 100 ft. below, then out of nowhere this ono (wahoo) shows up out of the blue. I quickly turn my 120 cm. railgun on him and take a shot. My reel jams and I'm running out of air so instead of letting go, I "horse" the fish up hoping not to black out while making hand signals to my partner Keith to give him the back up shot.

Keith drops down as the ono does a dance squirming left to right trying to shake off the single flopper barb. But cracker jack Keith nails him good and we were ready to go in by noon.

The ono weighed in just under 30# and everyone was happy and ready to go home!

Since it was so hot we had to cool off and eat some ono-licous "shave ice" topped with condensed milk and loaded with ice cream. Another awesome day in Hawaii..I'm sleeping good tonight...zzz

Maui Divers

Hope everyone had a "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY"! We were over in Maui filming and got some awesome footage with Hawaii Skin Divers, Lance Otsubo, Wayde Hayashi, Kimi Werner, and Kimi Apiki. Lance is a local boy who knows where to go and thanks to his Dad, Raymond Otsubo and his friend David Miyaki we were able to get a lot done in a day and half of diving.

Later we met up with Brian Yoshikawa (Owner) of Maui Sporting Goods and we did a autograph session with HSDTV host, Merlinda Garma. Their shop is at 92 North Market Street and they have everything from diving, fishing, boating tackle and it was a diver's dream store.

Then we went to film the Daniel Perreria Memorial Spearfishing Tournament at Baldwin Beach Park where the whole community came together to support this huge event. With over 90 competitors ranging in ages 3-18 years of age, it was all about the keikis of Hawaii.

Brian and his son entered and even got interviewed by Merlinda Garma on their catch. There were so many donations and prizes everyone went home happy.

We were thankful for the invitation this year to cover this event. A big Mahalo to all the sponsors, helpers, and families who continue to support this great cause to help our keiki's who are battling cancer. Although Maui has lots of people, its neat to see their community come together to help support each other. It's no wonder the phrase, "Maui No Ka Oi"!

Tuna Cowboys

This weekend is the Ahi Fever fishing tournament at Waianae boat harbor so if you want to see some fish and willing to battle the crowded pier then make it over to the westside. They have a huge jackpot for the winners totaling about $67,000. As for me, I'll be home planning our next Red Sea Ocean Adventure. We were able to catch some big tunas (500 lb+) on a previous trip and hope to get some tuna this year.