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The Ulua has many names.
Some of the names you might hear them called are: Jacks, trevally, Giant Trevally, Butaguchi, Kagami, and Omilu.
Most ulua caught in Hawaii are caught in rocky deep water.
Ulua's are also caught in sandy areas as well.
The giant trevally (ulua) is the largest of the jacks in the Hawaiian islands.
It grows to over 190 lbs and can reach lengths of over 5 ft. Papio is the name of ulua under 10 lbs in size.
The bluefin trevally (omilu) is also caught using the same methods used to catch ulua.
This fish is not known to exceed 23 lbs in weight. It is the most abundant trevally found in nearshore waters.
Ulua and their relatives are the most important predators on Hawaiian coral reefs and are also the most highly sought after shoreline sportsfish in Hawaii.
the ulua played an important role in ancient Hawaiian culture and were often fished for food and sport.
Still today the ulua are the most prized fish to catch when fishing in Hawaii from shore because of their ability to give a long hard fight.
The populations of large jacks (ulua) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are presently very healthy and represent one of the few remaining large-scale, intact, predator-dominated reef ecosystems left in the world.
I suggest anyone fishing in Hawaii to release any ulua under 50 Lbs for future generations of Hawaiins to catch.
Also if you do not plan on eating it let it go.
Hawaii fishing for ulua is a highly specialized and unique type of fishing.
Most ulua fishermen use custom built rods that range in size from 10'-15' feet. The rods are usually made of heavy duty graphite, fiberglass, or bamboo.
The choice reels used by people fishing in Hawaii are conventional reels (Newell or Penn), the same type of fishing reels most people use for trolling elsewhere.
Line sizes vary depending on the size of the reel, but the most common sizes are between 60-120 lb test monofilament.
There are a few ways to get your bait to the depth wanted, when fishing for ulua one of the most common methods is called (slide baiting). to do this you tie a 6-12 oz weight with wire grabbers to a stopper (use about 6 -8 ft of line) the line used for this should be at least 20-40 lbs less than what is in your reel.
Then you set up sliders to do this you will need the sliders, leder wire, swivels and hooks.
You connect 6-10 ft of 80 to 120 lb greater than whats in your reel wire leader to swivel then put your hook on swivel. Pick your bait of choice, whole fish, whole squid, eel, aku belly or whatever you desire.
All you have to do next is pick the perfect ulua fishing spot, cast your weight as far as you can.
Get your weight stuck on the ocean floor bait your hook, slide your slider down till it stops and wait for the record breaker to grab your hook and run with it.
You will have the fight of your life.
Usually you do not have to recast, after waiting for a while just slide more bait down.
I always take a smaller setup with me so I can catch more bait while waiting for the big one.
Hawaii is one of the only places this method of fishing is used.
Another unique method of fishing in Hawaii to get your bait to deep areas is using a bobber and some kind of parachute or sail to catch the wind to carry it out .
This way of fishing is not very common so I am not going to go in to detail of explaining this method.
The other fishing method used in Hawaii is regular surf/baitcasting, some people tie a weight to their line others just use whole fish with no weight.
The best fishing baits to catch Ulua in Hawaii are: Tako (one of the best), Puhi (good in rough areas), Eel (good in deep water), or any live bait (the best of course).
FISHING EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED
Fishing Poles (Heavy duty poles at least 12 ft long get
a custom made one if you have the money)
Fishing reel's (I prefer Newells due to their light weight and high strength,
Penns will also work just as well but they weigh more)
Monofilament line (60 -120 LB test)
Swivel's
Heavy monofilament or wire leader (6-10 FT of 80-120lb greater than whats
in your reel LB test wire leader)
Hook's (size 50 or bigger/16.0-20.0 make sure they are sharp)
sinker's
Sand spikes
Knife (combination tool)
Wire cutters
Bait (Whole fresh squid, eel, or live bait)
Slide stop ring's
Slide buckles
Tie down line (to tie down your pole so you don't loose it when the waves
come or you get a big bite)
Headlamp
Jacks are predator fish and are most active just after sunset when they
feed on reef fish.
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