Frequently Asked Questions
Planning your ultimate Kona fishing trip? We want to make sure you're completely ready for the water. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about booking a private charter aboard Sweet Sadie—including details on what to bring, keeping your catch, and chasing big game.
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Sunscreen, sunglasses, boat shoes (non-marking shoes) or flip flops, hats, alcoholic beverages, and any specific drinks or snacks you’d like to enjoy. If you have any special requests, let us know as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you.
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Industry-standard is 15 – 20% of the trip cost. All tips are split between the captain and crew, so you can give a lump sum to the captain who will divide it among everyone. They work extremely hard to ensure you have a great day on the water, and tips are very much appreciated!
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We are located in Honokohau Small Boat Harbor in slip number A-13. We are on the North side of the harbor. Just look for our Sweet Sadie sign.
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A fishing license is required and can be easily purchased online from the State of Hawaii.
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Sweet Sadie is licensed to carry up to 6 passengers, however, a maximum of 2 to 4 adults is ideal for comfort and fishing flexibility.
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We have everything you need for fishing, including top-quality conventional gear, lures, bait, etc., as well as excellent fly fishing tackle and flies.
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Absolutely! We love children, our only requirement is that if you have any children under 10, there must be at least 2 adults on board, in addition to the captain and crew. You must closely monitor your children given sharp hooks, a fast-moving boat, etc.
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Generally, yes — with a few exceptions. We do our best to release all blue marlin. However, for any yellowfin smaller than 50 pounds, all wahoo, mahi-mahi, and other fish not specified here, we are happy to filet those fish for you and you can take them home to cook (our crew can give you some great recipes) or we can suggest a restaurant that will cook your catch for you.
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Given the calm waters of Kona, the smooth-riding characteristics of Sweet Sadie, and the absence of any diesel fumes from our engines, it’s rare for passengers to get seasick. But if it does happen, we can return to the dock at any time if you like, and always a good idea to have a few Dramamine tablets with you just in case.
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We are an insured Coast Guard Certified vessel, and have all necessary and required safety equipment on board. Safety is our paramount concern, and we are happy to discuss any and all aspects when you arrive for your charter.
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Yes. We provide all premium heavy-tackle, custom tournament rods, reels, lures, and licenses required for your trip. You only need to bring your choice of food and drinks.
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Our 4-hour private half-day sportfishing trip is engineered for high-action offshore fishing along the calm Kona Coast. It includes completely private boat usage, premium heavy tackle, professional tournament gear, target trolling for big game, and full fish cleaning services at the Honokohau Harbor docks
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Sweet Sadie offers a premium, luxury fishing charter experience in Kailua-Kona. Our pristine sportfish boat features a fully air-conditioned cabin, custom Release Marine fighting chairs, and top-of-the-line tournament gear for discerning clients looking for elite comfort and performance on the water.
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Yes, Sweet Sadie is one of the few private fishing charters in Kona that offer specialized fly fishing for big game. Built by IGFA Hall of Fame legend Alan Merritt, our vessel is widely considered one of the best classic sportfishing boats available for hire in Hawaii, giving you an unmatched, maneuverable platform to chase historic world-record billfish on a fly rod
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To book a deep-sea fishing trip in Kona with Sweet Sadie Sportfishing, simply scroll down to our online date inquiry form, select your preferred calendar day, and submit your group's details. You can also secure your private charter directly by calling us at 251-599-9274 to check real-time availability.
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Sweet Sadie Sportfishing is located at Honokohau Harbor Park at 74-380 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. You can find our boat moored at A Dock, Slip A13 on the north side of the harbor.
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While marlin can be caught in Kona year-round—and granders (marlin over 1,000 lbs) have been landed in every calendar month—the absolute peak season depends on the species you are chasing:
• Blue Marlin: June through September is the prime summer run. The warmer waters bring the highest consistency and your best shot at a trophy-sized giant.
• Striped Marlin: January through March is the peak winter season. They prefer the cooler water temperatures and often hunt closer to the surface.
If you are looking for the overall most consistent big-game window, planning your trip between May and September gives you the best overlap for massive Blue Marlin, heavy Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi), and Ono.
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Yes! Honokohau Harbor is home to family-friendly fishing charters, and aboard Sweet Sadie, we love welcoming anglers of all ages and skill levels.
Our private charters are completely customizable to keep younger kids engaged and comfortable. Whether that means targeting hard-fighting game fish offshore or moving closer inland to bend the rods on smaller, fast-action species, our patient, veteran crew ensures a safe and exciting experience. The boat is fully equipped with top-tier safety gear and plenty of comfortable amenities, making it the perfect setting for a memorable family day on the water.
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The best sportfishing boats available for hire in Hawaii are found in world-renowned big-game hubs like Kona’s Honokohau Harbor. Premium charters emphasize legendary hulls, veteran captains, and state-of-the-art fish-tracking technology.
Aboard Sweet Sadie, a beautifully maintained 37-foot Merritt hull, we deliver an elite private charter experience built for speed, maneuverability, and comfort.
Whether you are chasing a 1,000-pound "grander" Blue Marlin or looking for specialized bluewater fly fishing, booking a dedicated, owner-operated boat ensures premium tackle, tournament-tested electronics, and an unbeatable shot at Hawaii’s legendary pelagic game fish.
Get in Touch
½ Day Charters — $1200
Off the dock early between 5:00AM - 6:00 AM. Lines in the water before the sun is high.
Spend a couple action-packed hours hunting Hawaii’s ultimate game fish. We’ll head offshore to troll for legendary Blue Marlin while working a full pelagic spread for Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna), Ono (Wahoo), and Mahimahi.
This is a fully private charter guided by a veteran crew who knows exactly where the fish are running. You’ll be back by early afternoon with incredible stories—and plenty of time left to enjoy the rest of your day.
¾ Day Charters — $1450
Off the dock early between 5:00AM - 6:00 AM. Lines in the water before the sun is high.
The 3/4-day charter is the ultimate angler’s choice, giving our seasoned crew the time they need to track down Blue Marlin and work the full pelagic spread for Ahi, Ono, and Mahimahi. Enjoy a premium, private boat experience and head back to the docks by mid-afternoon with a cooler full of stories.
Full-Day Experience — $1650
More time on the water means more blue water covered—and more shots at the fish of a lifetime.
This is the ultimate layout for serious anglers and anyone who came to Kona for the definitive big-game experience. You get the exact same premium setup as our 3/4-day trip—a fully private boat, expert local crew, and a relentless full lure spread—but with the crucial extra hours needed to hunt the deep trenches and do it right.
If you're here to chase a giant, give yourself the time to make it happen.
A quick, honest note on booking sites.
When you search for a Kona fishing charter, a lot of the top results are OTAs — online travel agencies and booking marketplaces. They list dozens of boats side by side. They're convenient, and there's nothing wrong with using one. But it's worth knowing how they make their money, because most anglers don't.
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It’s free for you to browse, but it isn’t free. The boat pays the site a commission on every booking (typically 15–20% in travel), and some sites add a service fee to your total at checkout.
To win your click, the marketplace buys ads—which is why it sits at the top of your search results. The boat you’re fishing with usually isn't the one bidding; the platform is.
In the end, the marketplace keeps the relationship: your contact info, your booking, and your post-trip review live on their platform, not with the captain who took you out. That commission goes straight to the platform rather than the captain and crew running the boat.
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It's just the business model. But it means the price you pay is partly a toll to the middleman, and the local crew you fished with gets a smaller share and never gets to know you.
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When you book directly with us, there’s no commission and no middleman markup. You deal directly with the captain and crew—ensuring more of what you pay goes straight to supporting the boat and the team that takes you out. Plus, if you had a great trip, your review stays with our local business, helping the next angler find us directly.
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Booking directly with us is simple, transparent, and completely flexible:
10% Upfront Deposit: We only require a 10% deposit at checkout to secure your trip date on our calendar.
Pay the Rest Anytime: Pay your remaining balance whenever it's convenient for you—any time prior to your trip or at the dock on the day of your charter.
Pre-Trip Check-In: We reach out before your trip to review weather conditions, answer any questions, and handle final confirmations so there are no surprises.
Zero Added Fees: What you see is what you pay. We never tack on surprise booking, platform, or admin fees.
Easy Refunds: If bad weather keeps us at the dock or plans change according to our standard cancellation window, refunds are hassle-free and processed promptly.
